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THE SCORE OF THE BOX
STATE COLLEGE, PA. – Trace McSorley visited the tent of the wounded. Not much in there, he said. Just a table on which he can sit while his right knee was examined in the second quarter of the Penn State match against Iowa.
"It's a bit cramped," said McSorley.
The senior quarterback, just six feet tall and 200 pounds but capable of carrying the Penn State offensive, has started 35 straight games and has more than two to play at Beaver Stadium. He was not about to miss out on the second half of it.
McSorley came back after scare Penn State, and the Nittany Lions, who were in 17th place, made two late positions to escape Iowa No. 18 on 30-24 Saturday, thus avoiding a third loss to home.
Nittany Lions safety Nick Scott intercepted a 2-way pass with 3:18 left in the fourth quarter to thwart a Hawkeyes command and Penn State (6-2, 3-2, Big Ten) needed a stop extra after that. Iowa (6-2, 3-2) went by car to the Nittany Lions 44 at the last minute.
Fourth and tenths of a second, 7 seconds from the end, the Penn State attack invaded Nate Stanley, who turned around for the offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs. The 300-pound rumbled 15 meters before being dragged down without further ado.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz described the game as "an unusual game at the end of the game," with little offensive support in cold, rainy weather. Iowa had two guarantees and a touchdown pass by striker Colten Rastetter to defensive tackle Sam Brincks in a scoreless first-half goal and a choice of six in the second half.
Penn State played three sets in the second quarter without McSorley.
"Gutsy wins," said Penn State coach James Franklin.
McSorley was sandwiched by two Hawkeyes while he was trying to scramble and stayed on the ground, catching his right leg. The Beaver Stadium crowd was silent as sports coaches attended. McSorley got up with help and limped.
Tommy Stevens played the following two sets at quarterback for Penn State, scoring on a 3-yard run. He also led a short run at the end of the first half to put Jake Pinegar's best goal on 45-yard career, 17-all. The rookie kicker from Iowa added 49 yards in the third quarter and 44 yards in the fourth quarter.
McSorley participated in a first-half series and Penn State had three.
On the sidelines, he was encouraged by his sister and father. He tried to stay loose, cycling stationary, running and cutting.
Franklin said he planned to start the second half with Stevens.
"Trace has earned the right to tell us where he thinks he can go," said Franklin. "I said," Look, I need the whole package. I can not just have a professional style quarterback. I must have more than that. "
McSorley gave birth to a knee splint. In Penn State's first possession, he broke free for a 51-yard touchdown and gave the Nittany Lions a first lead, 24-17, with 12:10 remaining in the third quarter.
"I would not really know before I got there," said McSorley, who finished with 167 passing yards and 63 yards.
Led 30-24 in the fourth quarter, Iowa led to first and third with 3:30. But Stanley launched a quick pass to the tight star Noah Fant, who was not looking.
Ferentz said the Hawkeyes were confused and should have asked for a timeout.
"I was just trying to change the game according to the look that they had given us," said Stanley, who was 18 for 49 points for 205 yards and two interceptions. "I just tried to rush myself with the timer.I'd just have to take the time off."
Scott got up and made the interception.
"This one is going to hurt," said Ferentz.
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