Our weekly column on checking in on Penn State's past opponents is back, now that the season is a month deep! What’s been going on with the teams that the Nittany Lions have already faced?

Akron Zips (2-3)

Defeated Bowling Green

After losing their last two games, the Akron Zips snagged their second win of the season, defeating the 0-5 Bowling Green Falcons 34-23, putting the Zips into the first spot in the MAC East. Congratulations! The Zips win also broke Bowling Green’s eight game winning streak in the series.

Akron led 20-13 at the half. In the third quarter, Bowling Green tied the game 20 to 20, then hit a 25 yard field goal to take the lead 23-20. The Zips quickly responded with a touchdown in the third quarter and then an interception and touchdown in the fourth for the win.

Quarterback Thomas Woodson completed 13-24 passes for 168 yards in the air, and had an 11 yard touchdown run during the game. His main target was wide receiver A.J. Coney, who caught 5 passes for 42 yards and a touchdown. Running back Van Edwards, Jr. gained 70 yards on 14 attempts with a touchdown.

Unfortunately, the Zips’ star running back Warren Ball left the game with a broken ankle (after missing most of last season due to injury) so Akron will need to look for ways to replace him for the rest of the season.

Next on the schedule for the Zips are the Ball State Cardinals who are 2-3.

Up Next: Ball State Cardinals (2-3)

Pitt Panthers (2-3)

Beat Rice

It seems like things are also looking up for the Pitt Panthers after two losses (Georgia Tech and Oklahoma State). Pitt won this weekend, handily beating the Rice Owls 42-10 with a passing offense that absolutely steamrolled Rice.

Max Browne returned at starting quarterback, after redshirt sophomore Ben DiNucci started for three games. Browne threw four touchdown passes in the win, and had a career high 410 yards. Jester Weah snagged a 55 yard touchdown pass, and Quadree Ollison had a 10 yard touchdown run.

Although Browne put up high numbers in the air, and scored 42 points, Pitt couldn’t get much going in the run game, only managing 33 carries for a total of 69 rushing yards (nice).

Pitt next plays the Syracuse Orange, also 2-3.

Up Next: Syracuse Orange (2-3)

Georgia State Panthers (1-2)

Bye Week

The Georgia State Panthers had their first win 28-0 over Charlotte on September 30. This past Saturday’s game against Memphis was canceled due to reshuffling from Hurricane Irma.

The Panthers have a week to rest and recover before next playing their next conference opponent, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, who are 1-3. Looks like Georgia State has all the makings for a win next week.

Up Next: Coastal Carolina (1-3)

Iowa Hawkeyes (3-2)

Fell to Michigan State

Coming off the Penn State loss, the Iowa Hawkeyes fell to the Michigan State Spartans 17-10, with Sparty shutting down the run game for the Hawkeyes for just 19 yards on 25 attempts. Ouch.

Michigan State came out strong at the gate, and at the half, Iowa trailed 17-7. The Hawkeyes came back in the third with a field goal, but couldn’t get any more offense going against the Spartan’s defense, who had forced two Hawkeye turnovers.

Akrum Wadley finished with 30 yards on 17 attempts, scoring the Hawkeye’s only touchdown. Quarterback Nate Stanley finished 16 of 31 for 197 yards. On the defensive side, senior linebacker Josey Jewell, who leads the Big Ten with 44 tackles, tied a career high number with 16 tackles, 3 tackles for loss and half a sack against Michigan State.

The Hawkeyes take on the Illinois Fighting Illini next week.

Up Next: Illinois Fighting Illini (2-2)