Smith, Penn State’s interim head coach, took over for James Franklin, who was fired Sunday after the Nittany Lions lost three straight games. He has just four practices to prepare Penn State for a trip to face the Hawkeyes at a sold-out Kinnick Stadium.

Hawkeyes spoil the first game for interim coach Terry Smith and the first start for quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer

Reviewing the Hawkeyes' 25-24 win over the Nittany Lions shows an ascending defense and dominant run blocking on all levels.

The Nittany Lions played some spirited football under interim head coach Terry Smith, but was it enough to earn a passing grade?

Penn State football players and coaches are rallying behind redshirt freshman quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, who’s expected to make his first college start Saturday. Grunkemeyer replaced three-year starter Drew Allar late in the fourth quarter of a 22-21 loss to Northwestern Saturday at Beaver Stadium.

Game 1 of the Terry Smith/Ethan Grunkemeyer era at Penn State didn’t quite go to plan. The Nittany Lions fell, 25-24, at Iowa on Saturday despite holding a 21-10 second-half lead. Penn State couldn’t handle Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski,

Penn State's football team will be without top offensive lineman Vega Ioane for their game against Iowa. The team is also missing its starting quarterback, Drew Allar, due to injury and recently fired head coach James Franklin. Redshirt quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer will make his first college start under interim coach Terry Smith.

This week, a new-look Penn State offense will take the field on the road against the Iowa Hawkeyes. While there are certainly low expectations surrounding Ethan Grunkemeyer, this could be a chance for the young QB to usher in a new era of Penn State football if he plays well.