The James Franklin era came to an end last Sunday after 12 seasons with the program. While many will remember his woeful record in big games, he also played a huge role in the Nittany Lions returning to national prominence and respect. With Penn State taking on Iowa at Kinnick Stadium this weekend, now’s the perfect time to look back at one of Franklin’s most iconic victories — against Iowa in 2017.
On Sept. 23, 2017, No. 4 Penn State was coming off of a Big Ten championship and hoped to make its first appearance in the four-team College Football Playoff. The 3-0 Nittany Lions were set for their first big test of the season against 3-0 Iowa, which had a reputation for upsetting ranked teams, especially during night games in Iowa City.
The Hawkeyes, as they often did under coach Kirk Ferentz, had a strong defense led by future NFL players Josey Jewell, Josh Jackson and A.J. Epenesa. That unit flexed its muscles in the first half, holding Penn State’s offense to only three points. The Nittany Lions moved the ball well, but they settled for a field goal at the 1-yard line, missed one field goal, turned the ball over on downs and threw an interception. That pick set up Iowa to take the lead before halftime, making it 7-5.
However, Penn State had a player that virtually no one in college football could stop: Saquon Barkley. Barkley took over the game in the third quarter with one of the best single-game highlight tapes in recent college football memory. Runs of 25 and 16 yards set up Penn State to take an 8-7 lead with another short field goal. On the next drive, a 44-yard tightrope act put the Nittany Lions in scoring range again, and Barkley capped it off with a reach for the pylon to make it 15-7.
The Hawkeyes battled back in the fourth quarter. Their offense, which was stuck in the mud all night, broke through with a 75-yard touchdown for running back Akrum Wadley, who made linebacker Jason Cabinda miss to make it all the way for a touchdown. After a failed two-point conversion made it 15-13, Penn State marched downfield looking to close the game. Barkley made his mark with a remarkable hurdle, helping the Nittany Lions chew up over seven minutes of game time. Barkley finished the night with an school-record 358 yards from scrimmage.
However, the drive stalled again in the red zone, and Franklin opted to kick the short field goal. That kick was blocked by Iowa, setting up the Hawkeyes for a clutch drive downfield to score the go-ahead touchdown and take the lead 19-15 with only 1:42 to play. Penn State needed quarterback Trace McSorley to put together a touchdown drive in one of the toughest places to play in the nation.
McSorley worked the ball to his favorite receiver on the night, Juwan Johnson, for two first downs. He’d find Saeed Blacknall for a fourth-and-2 conversion, and he’d still get Barkley involved for a 14-yard catch and run. Two plays later, and Penn State found itself at the Iowa 7-yard line with only four seconds to go.
McSorley gunned it over the middle to Juwan Johnson, who found a hole in the Iowa defense for the game-winning touchdown as time expired. It was Johnson’s first career touchdown, and the one he’s best remembered for by Penn State fans.
The win lifted the Nittany Lions to 4-0 and kept their playoff hopes alive, although they’d later be spoiled by Ohio State and Michigan State.
This week, Penn State will be underdogs against the Hawkeyes, as interim head coach Terry Smith and backup quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer will look to find a way to win in a tough road environment. They’ll hope to give Nittany Lion fans a show the same way the team did back in 2017.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Throwback Thursday: Penn State scores on last play to survive vs. Iowa
