News and notes from week four

What a great game it was last night. The Hawks simply own Penn State. I get the feeling that the media will talk about how Penn State just wasn't themselves and Iowa will get zero credit for its performance - and that's fine, because the Hawks play better when they're disrespected, anyway. But before long, people are going to have to take notice of the Black-and-Gold.

Without further adieu, here's the breakdown of the game.

And the game ball goes to...: Adrian Clayborn. Clayborn's blocked punt turned touchdown return broke the game open for the Hawks in the early stages of the fourth quarter. Trailing 10-5, Clayborn burst through the left side of Penn State's o-line and stuffed the kick then proceeded to pick it up and rumble 35 yards untouched into the endzone. Momentum had evaded the Hawkeyes for most of the game, but Clayborn's big play broke open the flood gates on the Nits.

On top of the huge blocked kick-touchdown, Clayborn also racked up a pair of tackles and seemed to be playing, "let's meet at the quarterback," on every play with Broderick Binns. Daryll Clark - the Big Ten's so-called best overall quarterback - spent most of the game on the run or on the ground. The Big Ten Network said it best after the game, "if Daryll Clark never sees Iowa again, that will be just fine with him."

Tip of the cap: to the Hawkeyes' defense. Pat Angerer: stud (14 tackles, a deflected pass, a forced fumble and an INT). A.J. Edds: stud (six tackles and the game-ending INT). Karl Klug: stud (six tackles, two tackles-for-loss and a fumble recovery). Binns: stud (eight tackles, 2.5 TFL and a forced fumble). Clayborn: player of the game. Did I miss anyone?

Also to Ricky Stanzi. I've been picking on "pretty Ricky" so far this season because of his slow starts. No complaints here this week, Rick. You played like a champ in a hostile environment and your receivers dropped six passes.

Wag of the finger: to the Iowa receivers. I'll keep it short: CATCH! THE! BALL!

Final thoughts: the win vaulted Iowa to No. 13 in the AP Poll and No. 17 in the USA Today Poll. Ferentz is 7-2 against Penn State, 4-1 at Beaver Stadium. The Hawks' defense is about as good as it gets. The second quarter saw the Hawks out-gain the Nits 124 to minus-6.

Next week: The Hawks host Arkansas State (1-2). Kickoff is set for 11:00 a.m. in Kinnick Stadium. Iowa will meet the Red Wolves for the first time in school history. It will also be Iowa's first game against a team from the Sun Belt conference.