Iowa Football: 3 takeaways from loss to Penn State

2.  Trace McSorley has guts

While he may not be the most talented athletically or have the most arm talent in the world, Trace McSorley is one tough son of a gun. Midway through the second quarter, McSorley was sacked by Chauncey Golston and Anthony Nelson and he immediately reached for his right knee. He limped off the field and much to everyone’s surprise, was back in the game only two series later but was then taken out again.

James Franklin the reasserted McSorley to start the second half and on the first possession, scampered 51 yards for a touchdown to give Penn State a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. While his stat line wasn’t impressive, 11 for 25 passing, 167 yards, a touchdown and a pick, McSorley displayed fantastic leadership by not letting a minor injury sidelined him and came back to lead the Nittany Lions to a much-needed victory.

This performance told me, if Penn State’s ever in a dogfight again down the road, don’t expect #9 in the navy and white to fold up and crumple, but to thrive and excel.