Finally, a memorable interception return for Prater

IOWA CITY - Shaun Prater was determined to make his interception return Saturday night count for more than just laughs in film sessions.

Late in the fourth quarter, Iowa's junior cornerback picked off a Robert Bolden pass at the Penn State 33-yard line and returned it for a touchdown in the Hawkeyes' 24-3 win at Kinnick Stadium.

“As soon I caught it, I saw an open field right to the sideline,” Prater said. “So my first thing to do was run down the sideline. I saw the linemen move over to the left, so I had to cut it back. Once I cut it back, there was nothing but open field.”

Prater, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound Omaha native, first ran straight before cutting across the field. He burst inside the 5-yard line then dove the final 3 yards for the touchdown.

Saturday's return was more memorable than his two interception returns last year, which totaled 4 yards. Last year against Penn State, Prater intercepted a pass and juked from side-to-side nearly 40 yards sideways before he was tackled. He caught some grief from his teammates after that play and was determined not to make the same mistake this time.

Prater now has four interceptions in his career, including one against Iowa State earlier this season. Prater's return netted minus-3 yards against the Cyclones in a 35-7 win. Prater's career return yardage is 34 yards.

“Now he's got a return on film that we can actually show without laughing at him,” Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said. “Last year in this game, if you remember, he ran about three minutes off the clock after he picked it off and I think he lost 2 yards. But it was like the worst-ever return of an interception. We showed that a few times last year, so this will be a little bit more fun for him to watch.”

Prater saved a touchdown in blown coverage late in the first half. Iowa was in a cover-2 defense and Penn State wide receiver Brett Brackett raced past Prater and Iowa safety Tyler Sash on a 49-yard reception. Prater chased down Brackett at the 2-yard line, holding the Nittany Lions to a field goal rather than a touchdown.

“Give the credit to Shaun,” Sash said. “He came back after the guy got by him and he made a touchdown-saving tackle, and that's huge.

“I remember last year at Penn State he ran back and forth ... and got negative-2 yards for a 10-second play. So it was nice to see him get into the end zone. I've seen him do it at practice. He does it all the time. He made a good play.”