Iowa must tighten defense to have a chance against Penn State

York Daily Record

Saquon Barkley shredded Iowa's defense last fall in Beaver Stadium on the ground and through the air. Clamping down on the Heisman Trophy candidate Saturday may be the Hawks only chance.

The Iowa Hawkeyes already know what it's like to be problem-solvers, even game-savers.

And, no matter what, 3-0 is a a good-looking start.

The Hawks, though, are still growing and searching for an identity after taking too long to get cranking against Iowa State and North Texas.

Can they utilize their hammering ball-control offense — with plenty of revenge and motivation in comfy Kinnick Stadium — to own Saturday night against the Lions?

Iowa linebacker Josey Jewell is one of the best in the nation. Will he be able to help the Hawkeye defense control Penn State better than last year? He may have to do it on an ankle not yet 100 percent.

Only if their defense finds a better way of matching up against Penn State's high-powered possibilities.

Linebacker Josey Jewell is a game-changer but even he got swallowed up by the Lions' attack last year. And he still might not be completely healed from a bad ankle. He is Iowa's leader and best player on defense.

More:Heisman Watch: Saquon Barkley makes most of opportunities before Penn State's big tests

More:Penn State passing game clicks, as run game falters again

The difficulty is slowing so many moving parts, from do-everything Saquon Barkley to tight end Mike Gesicki to the Lions' vast array of wideouts. Same for quarterback Trace McSorley, who must be in prime form with his run-pass decision-making.

For now, Iowa's defense is giving up more than six yards per play. And that must improve immediately.

The thing is, this game almost always used to favor Iowa and head coach Kirk Ferentz. He usually pulled off Joe Paterno's game plan more precisely than Penn State: Grab the lead, slow the pace and suffocate your opponent with defense and fundamentals.

Everything changed when Bill O'Brien's wide-open attack bombed the Hawks in Kinnick midway through 2012. Last year, James Franklin and Joe Moorhead turned Barkley loose as a runner and receiver and finished their detonation with backup quarterback Tommy Stevens bowling over tacklers.

Akrum Wadley is Iowa's key game-changer on offense. But like star linebacker Josey Jewell, Wadley will be working against Penn State on an injured ankle. Will it be much of a hindrance?

So Iowa's hopes rest in keeping that offense on the sidelines as much as possible — and being its usual efficient self when it has the ball.

Quarterback Nate Stanley has thrown 10 touchdown passes, but is a first-year starter who will be facing his toughest resistance. He must limit mistakes and get consistent support from his promising blockers to free star tailback Akrum Wadley.

Will Wadley's ankle hold up as he returns from injury? If not, Ferentz will turn to a pair of true freshmen.

For certain, Iowa owns the proper plan for success. The question seems more about if its coming-of-age team is truly ready yet to pull it off.