Penn State Football: 5 overreactions from win over Iowa

3. Where was Mike Gesicki?

So far in the 2017 season, Mike Gesicki has been Penn State’s most consistent receiver. But in the team’s Week 4 victory over Iowa, he was far from a focal point.

Over the first three weeks of the season, Gesicki haled in 12 catches for 123 yards and four touchdowns, good for over 10 yards per catch, but against Iowa, the team’s tight end was largely held in check.

While he did make five catches, he only gained 25 yards, no touchdowns and virtually no extra yards after the catch.

For a player of Gesicki’s size — 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds — it’s worth wondering why he isn’t able to more consistently dominate opposing defenders, often times a slower linebacker or a smaller safety.

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Though Gesicki isn’t particularly known for his blocking ability, he’s still one of the stronger players on the Nittany Lions’ roster, so in theory, he should be a more consistent presence across the middle of the field, one who can’t fight for extra yards, and more the chains with every completion.

If Gesicki is going to step up to the mantle of Trace McSorley’s favorite receiving target, a title that running back Saquon Barkley has been challenging for over the last two weeks, he will need to show that he can make plays, not just take whatever the defense gives him.

With how many weapons the Nittany Lion offense possesses, there will always a player who is in a favorable matchup, and often times it’s tight end Mike Gesicki.

He just needs to find a way to take advantage of these opportunities.