STATE COLLEGE — Will Levis’ bulging biceps round out an imposing physique, one Penn State’s backup quarterback has used to earn respect as a hard-nosed, lower-the-shoulder-first signal-caller.

But the 6-foot-3, 225-pounder, who could make his second career start when Penn State hosts Iowa on Saturday, will need to do more to help the Nittany Lions avoid their first 0-5 start in program history.

“Will was able to give us a spark (last week) that we needed, but at the end of the day we are confident in both our quarterbacks and we trust both of them a ton,” center Michael Menet said.

Iowa (2-2) has seen its defense improve week by week. The Hawkeyes have allowed just 14 points over the last two games should make it harder on an offense still finding his way, likely with a new quarterback.

After relieving Sean Clifford last week, Levis got more time with the first-team offense in practice this week.

He’s not a new face to Iowa’s staff, however. Levis attended a Hawkeyes camp during his recruitment.

“He was interested and enamored until Penn State offered him. That was the end of that relationship, and I say that jokingly,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “He’s a first-class young man and that was a delight to get to know a little bit.”