Doc's No. 6 -- 2009 at Penn State

This post coincides with a series on Kirk Ferentz's top 10 games during his Iowa tenure. Mike Hlas and Marc Morehouse also blog on this topic.

 No. 5 Penn State was out for blood in 2009, with more than 109,000 people in attendance. Home fans were passionate about payback after Iowa upset then-unbeaten Penn State on a last-second field goal in 2008. Even PSU quarterback Darryl Clark vowed revenge during the week. 

Iowa had every reason to lose at Penn State in 2009, yet found a way to bludgeon the Nittany Lions into submission. Iowa survived a 79-yard touchdown pass on Penn State's first offensive play, and later a 20-play drive in the first quarter to win 21-10. The Hawkeyes didn't panic and just kept chopping wood on defense. Defensive end Adrian Clayborn blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown that gave Iowa a lead. Running back Adam Robinson later ran over four Penn State tacklers to seal the victory. 

It was an exercise in fundamentals, patience and persistence that helped Iowa beat Penn State for the seventh time in eight games. The win also propelled Iowa back into the national rankings and a player on the Big Ten scene. Penn State was no slouch, either, winning 11 games and finishing in the top 10.