Hawkeye defense shuts down PSU

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Iowa slugged out an ugly win in soggy Happy Valley to upset Penn State for the second straight year.

Adrian Clayborn returned a block punt for a touchdown and the Hawkeyes beat mistake-prone No. 5 Penn State 21-10 on Saturday night.

A year after a stunning 24-23 win knocked the Nittany Lions out of the national title race, the Hawkeyes (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) took down Penn State (3-1, 0-1) again, this time in drenching rainstorm.

After falling behind 10-0 in the first quarter, Iowa’s defense shut down quarterback Daryll Clark and the Penn State spread HD offense with withering pressure. Broderick Binns’ sack led to a safety in the second quarter.

A defensive end, Clayborn rumbled 51 yards after blocking the punt to give Iowa an 11-10 lead with 12:21 left.

Clark, an Ursuline High graduate, was intercepted on the next drive to set up Adam Robinson’s 13-yard touchdown run to put the Hawkeyes up 18-10 with 8:32 left.

It didn’t get any better for Penn State.

A 36-yard punt return by Chaz Powell, plus a 15-yard personal foul penalty gave the Nittany Lions the ball at the Iowa 36 after Robinson’s touchdown.

But tailback Evan Royster fumbled the ball away on the next play, appearing to lose control after trying to lunge for extra yardage.

Clark was intercepted again with four-plus minutes left.

It was a disappointing end to a strong start for Clark, who connected with Powell for a 79-yard touchdown pass on Penn State’s first offensive play of the game.

After hitting his first five passes, Clark finished 12 of 32 for 198 yards with one TD and three interceptions.

Ricky Stanzi finished 11 of 26 for 135 yards and two interceptions for Iowa, and Robinson had 88 yards on 19 carries.

After opening the season with victories over three weak nonconference opponents, the Nittany Lions’ offense failed its toughest test yet in tough Big Ten tilt.