The last three teams ranked inside the top five when they visited Kinnick Stadium to play the Iowa Hawkeyes departed as upset victims.
Penn State nearly became the fourth straight team to suffer the same fate. But Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley put together a record setting performance that helped PSU escape a big-time upset bid.
Barkley posted a school record 358 all-purpose yards on 43 touches to earn the Uplifting Athletes Rare Performance of the Week.
On a night when the Penn State offense ran 99 plays from scrimmage, Barkley led the Nittany Lions in rushing and receiving with 214 yards on the ground on 28 carries with a touchdown. He also had 12 receptions out of the backfield for an additional 94 yards.
Barkley, who is a legitimate contender for the Heisman Trophy, also returned three kickoffs for 53 yards and averaged a staggering 8.3 yards per touch.
Previous Player of the Week Winners
Week 1: RB Josh Adams, Notre Dame
Week 2: QB Ryan Finley, NC State
Week 3: QB Trace McSorley, Penn State
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