Penn State Football: Blitz Stickers from Nittany Lions’ win over Iowa

Penn State football earned a win after a tough fight against Iowa in waterlogged Beaver Stadium. Which Lions earned Blitz Stickers for their performance?

Penn State started their contest with Iowa in the worst possible way, giving up a safety, a field goal, and then a fake field goal touchdown. The Lions were down 12-0 quickly, but they fought back, winning 30-24 on a rain-soaked day at Beaver Stadium. It was not a pretty win, but a much-needed one.

If Penn State lost the game to Iowa, there was a good chance their season could spin out of control with Michigan and Wisconsin left on the docket. A tough, gritty win against the Hawkeyes gives the Lions confidence for the last month of the season.

When Penn State needed them the most, there were some players that stood above the rest. Which ones earned our coveted Blitz Stickers this week?

Penn State’s special teams were a disaster from the start of the game, giving up two safeties on botched punts. When they needed a boost, kicker Jake Pinegar provided it.

The freshman had struggled so far in his career at Penn State. He entered the game having missed on all three of his field goal attempts of over 40 yards. Against Iowa, he nailed all three attempts of over 40. He becomes the first Nittany Lion kicker to do so since Sam Ficken in 2013.

Despite the wet and windy conditions, Pinegar was perfect. His first attempt was a 45-yarder at the end of the first half, after James Franklin iced him with a poorly timed timeout. He nailed a 49-yard attempt later in the third quarter to give the Lions a 10 point lead. Finally his 44-yard field goal was clutch with about eight minutes to go as it forced Iowa to need a touchdown to take the lead.

Franklin has said in his weekly press conferences Pinegar needs to translate his practices to gamedays. This performance could be just what Pinegar needed for confidence and a turnaround.