If you have not detected a pattern in Penn State’s four-game losing streak, consider this: Terry Smith’s 3-4 Nittany Lions could not hold a 21-10 second-half lead in PSU’s 25-24 loss to Iowa on Saturday night at Kinnick Stadium.

Penn State blew a fourth quarter lead. Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski rushed for a career-high 130 yards and two touchdowns, including a 67-yard burst that set up Kaden Wetjen’s game-winning 8-yard touchdown run with 3:54 remaining.

Penn State fell to 3-4 -- and 0-4 in the Big Ten -- after blowing a late lead against Iowa in interim coach Terry Smith's first game since replacing James Franklin.

With Saturday's loss to Iowa, Penn State fell under .500 for the first time since 2021, the same year it last lost four straight games.

Terry Smith has been named Penn State's interim football coach in the wake of James Franklin's firing. Here's what to know about the Nittany Lions' new leader. Now in his 12th year at Penn State, Smith entered this season for his fifth year as associate head coach of the Nittany Lions.

Even after a change at the top, it was the same result for Penn State. Playing their first game since James Franklin’s firing, the Nittany Lions looked inspired for three quarters under interim coach Terry Smith.

Smith, who has served as the team's defensive recruiting coordinator since 2014, said he personally recruited three-fourths of the current roster. Now his job is keeping players from leaving.

Penn State starting left guard Vega Ioane was listed as out for the Iowa game Saturday as the Nittany Lions lost, 25-24. The reason was undisclosed. Texas A&M transfer TJ Shanahan Jr. started in his place and handled all 76 snaps, according to PFF.

Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith, who took over in the wake of James Franklin's firing, addressed the media after Saturday's 25-24 loss to Iowa.