It is understandable that a team might come out a bit flat after an emotional loss the week before. There is never an easy game in the Big Ten. Couple a tough loss with an emotional opponent and you have the opportunity for a big time upset. No quit Indiana came into Beaver Stadium and fell behind by 10 midways through the third quarter. The Hoosiers (2-6, 0-5) then fought back to lead Penn State by 3 with 2:58 remaining. Then Drew Allar did what he was brought to Penn State to do. Drew led a gut check final drive hitting KeAndre Lambert-Smith in stride for a go ahead 57-yard TD with 1:46 left. The defensive forced a late safety to give Penn State (7-1, 4-1) an exciting hard fought 33-24 win over Indiana.
Indiana outgained Penn State 349-342 in this back-and-forth battle. Penn States ability to grind out a running game proved to be the difference in this one. The Nittany Lions had a 35 minute to 24-minute time of possession edge. Keytron Allen squeezed out 81 yards to lead Penn State in rushing. Needless to say, KeAndre Lambert-Smith with his 96 yards and the game winning TD grab paced the receiving Corp for Penn State.
Coach James Franklin called the win “Awesome” Coach Franklin called Drew Allars performance as “Awesome” James mentioned that Drew Allar set an NCAA record in the game for the most completions without an interception. Unfortunately, the streak was broken by Indiana late in the fourth quarter. The Hoosiers turned the INT into an important game leading Indiana field goal.
Indiana played an outstanding first quarter. Two long TD passes from QB Brenden Sorsby of 90 and 69 yards had the Hoosiers up 14-7. Quarter two belonged to Penn State. A rushing TD by Nick Singlton and a 50 yard field goal put the Nittany Lions up 17-14 at the break.
Nick Singleton in from the 2 for @PennStateFball ! Tied at 14 with @IndianaFootball 2:09 until halftime @B1Gfootball @PremiunSports @EPAFootball https://t.co/shSW54q3l1 pic.twitter.com/0K1Pu6MjjH
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) October 28, 2023
Felkins 51 yard field goal is no good. @indianafootball still up on @PennStateFball 14-7 10:16 quarter 2 @B1Gfootball @PremiunSports @EPAFootball https://t.co/shSW54qBaz pic.twitter.com/o3XwwGKIAr
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) October 28, 2023
Alex Felkins a 50 yard field goal as the first half ends! @PennStateFball now up 17-14 on @IndianaFootball @B1Gfootball @PremiunSports @EPAFootball https://t.co/shSW54q3l1 pic.twitter.com/FgmU9qvFk5
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) October 28, 2023
Drew Allar and Theo Johnson extended the lead to 10 in quarter three.
@PennStateFball Touchdown! The Nittany Lions a nice ball controlling drive out of halftime QB Drew Allar hits TE Theo Johnson for a 16 yard TD. Now 24-14 over @IndianaFootball 6:18 quarter 3 @B1Gfootball @PremiunSports @EPAFootball https://t.co/shSW54q3l1 pic.twitter.com/2ts5ZWE8Jg
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) October 28, 2023
There was no backing down for the Hoosiers. Indiana drew within three with 10:54 remaining. Allar threw his first INT of the season to give Indiana the ball deep in the Penn State end. The Hoosiers would tie it up!
And back come the Hoosiers! QB Sorsby his Omar Cooper on a 15 yard Touchdown! @PennStateFball still up 24-21 with 10:54 left. Oh my! @PremiunSports @EPAFootball @B1Gfootball @EPAFootball https://t.co/shSW54q3l1 pic.twitter.com/jvx2tSjfW6
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) October 28, 2023
Chris Freeman’s clutch 35 yard field goal for @IndianaFootball tied it at 24 with @PennStateFball 2:58 remaining @B1Gfootball @Hoosier_Huddle @PremiunSports @EPAFootball https://t.co/shSW54q3l1 pic.twitter.com/A1WTkw9YPO
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) October 28, 2023
Penn State and Allar got the ball back and capitalizes quickly. The game winner came with 1:46 left on a bomb to Lambert-Smith. KeAndre tight roped down the sidelines and tumbled into the end zone for the game winning score. As Beaver Stadium came unglued the defense forced a safety to make the final 33-24.
OMG! Touchdown @PennStateFball ! Drew Allar a strike to KeAndre Lambert-Smith of 57 yards to put the Nittany Lions back up 31-24 a quick safety by the D and our final 33-24. What an ending! @IndianaFootball @PremiunSports @B1Gfootball @EPAFootball https://t.co/shSW54q3l1 pic.twitter.com/FQC8yGg6cB
— Bruce Badgley (@BadgleyBruce) October 28, 2023
Penn State has another road Big Ten test at Maryland next week. The Hoosiers stagger back home to face Wisconsin.
