Saturday certainly wasn't the first time Penn State suffered a letdown in its Big Ten opener.
In fact, it's become a common occurrence over the last decade.
The Nittany Lions have now lost eight of their last 10 Big Ten openers and are just 7-10 in conference openers since beginning Big Ten play in 1993.
Still, coach Joe Paterno and his team stressed that his team's nonconference schedule had nothing to do with Saturday's loss to Iowa.
"I think we were prepared," Drew Astorino said. "They beat us and it wasn't a lack of preparation."
Penn State has never won a Big Ten title in the same season it lost its conference opener.
It will have to put Saturday's game in the rearview mirror to make sure history doesn't repeat itself.
"Just look at the film, see what we did wrong and get right to work on Illinois," Dennis Landolt said of moving forward, "because you can't dwell on a loss, 'cause that's what'll kill you."
Day to remember
Offense: Chaz Powell. His 79-yard touchdown reception on Penn State's first play from scrimmage put the Lions on the board early. Though technically not on an offensive play, he also put Penn State in a position to come back in the fourth quarter with his 36-yard kickoff return to the Lion 49 before Evan Royster fumbled.
Defense: Navorro Bowman. Having played only two series all season because of a groin injury, Bowman looked like he didn't miss a beat, recording a career-high 13 tackles, three of which were for a loss. The 2008 first team All-Big Ten linebacker anchored a banged-up unit that kept the Lions alive until the game's final minutes.
Day to forget
Offense: DeOn'tae Pannell. The right tackle got beat by Broderick Binns on Iowa's safety in the second quarter and was replaced thereafter by Nerraw McCormack. If recent history is any indication, Pannell will have to fight to maintain his starting role for this Saturday.
Defense: Nate Stupar. Give the injured linebacker credit for even playing after not practicing since Tuesday because of a sprained ankle.
But Stupar, who had filled in nicely for the injured Bowman in Penn State's first three games, saw limited action Saturday and never appeared to be at full strength.
Did you notice?
Lee Corso donning the Nittany Lion mascot's head and a white robe after picking Penn State to win on ESPN's College GameDay ... The two Beaver Stadium scoreboards without matching Penn State logos for the second straight week ... The Iowa flag-bearers getting tangled up with Penn State's before the game.
Extra point
Khairi Fortt, rated a four-star linebacker by every major recruiting Web site, was on the sidelines Saturday night. Fortt has yet to commit to a school for next season.
Basketball verbal commit Taran Buie, the half-brother of current Lion point guard
Talor Battle, was also on the sidelines.
Quotable
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz on the Beaver Stadium atmosphere: "This is what football's all about. It's a great environment. It's a great football crowd, great football tradition here. If that doesn't bring the best out of you, then maybe you shouldn't be playing."
