Defensive lineman Jon LaFleur stomped disgustedly toward the sideline. He ripped off his helmet and flung it under the Iowa bench. Bewildered, the Hawkeye lineman glanced up at the clock.
Two minutes had elapsed in the second quarter, but already the Hawkeyes' defense was tired, overwhelmed by a volatile Penn State attack. At that point, the Nittany Lions led 42-0.
Behind tailback Mike Archie, Penn State busted out of the starting gate quickly in Saturday's 61-21 victory over the Hawkeyes.
Archie brought the opening kickoff out to the Lions' 48-yard line. Five plays later, he caught quarterback Kerry Collins' 10-yard pass as he stretched out in the back right corner of the end zone.
On Iowa's opening series, the Lions' defense roared, forcing the Hawkeyes to punt after three plays.
Penn State started its second possession on its own 38-yard line, and promptly marched downfield, bulldozing through the Hawkeyes' defense. On the sixth play of the drive, Archie juked Iowa defensive back Damien Robinson, and then scampered 35 yards for another touchdown.
"Mike almost broke (Robinson's) ankles with that move he made," Collins said.
After Archie's exploits, Iowa regained possession. But Nick Gallery's punt was blocked by Penn State's Brian Miller and Phil Yeboah-Kodie recovered the loose ball in the Hawkeyes' end zone.
The ensuing Iowa drive lasted only two snaps. First, quarterback Ryan Driscoll connected with tight end Scott Slutzker for 17 yards. Then Driscoll threw a 5-yard bullet to Demo Odems, but the receiver fumbled the ball. Yeboah-Kodie pounced on it.
Coach Joe Paterno's troops quickly took advantage of the Hawkeyes' miscue. Tailback Ki-Jana Carter registered a 41-yard touchdown run on the Lions' first play after the turnover.
"The phenomenal success we've had early has been mistakes the other team has made," Paterno said.
Carter scored another touchdown with 4:26 remaining in the opening quarter on a 4-yard run.
"I was really overwhelmed," Carter said. "Everything was just clicking. If we had scored 42 points in the first quarter I would have gone crazy."
Early in the second quarter, Penn State continued its torrid scoring pace. Archie scored again, this time on a 4-yard run from scrimmage.
Archie scored three touchdowns in Saturday's game, a career-high. He also amassed 150 all-purpose yards against Iowa.
"We have good skill people and they run with determination," Paterno said. "(Archie) is an all-around back."
Late in the second quarter, the Lions cracked the scoring column once again as kicker Brett Conway booted a 39-yard field goal.
The Lions had mounted a 45-0 lead with two minutes left in the second quarter. But the Hawkeyes would not be shut out. Behind the strong running of fullback Kent Kahl, Iowa moved the ball to the Penn State 26-yard line. Then Driscoll delivered a touchdown pass to receiver Harold Jasper.
Not only did the second half bring rain, but it also brought a renewed Iowa team. Although the Hawkeyes did not score in the third quarter, Driscoll and company managed to move the ball more effectively against Penn State.
"I've gotta give Iowa credit," Paterno said. "They played hard. That's a pretty good football team."
In the fourth quarter, Iowa scored two touchdowns against a Penn State defense, comprised mostly of backups, that looked less than impressive.
Although the Lions would go on to outscore the Hawkeyes in the second half, 16-14, Paterno was concerned after his team's triumph.
"I enjoyed it for a while," Paterno said. "We started off really well but you get ahead and start looking at the clock. Obviously, we have a lot of things to do better."
