Tom Allen addresses controversial finish vs. Penn State involving Michael Penix Jr.

Tom Allen remembers Indiana–Penn State from 2020 all too well with Michael Penix Jr.’s iconic score at the goal line.

The former Indiana quarterback is ready to try and win a national title with Washington in this year’s College Football Playoff. But once upon a time, Penix Jr. led Allen’s Hoosiers over Penn State in a massive upset three years ago.

Allen, now the defensive coordinator at Penn State, was of course asked about that overtime moment.

“Oh it was a touchdown,” Allen said. “But you know I get it depends on what glasses you’re wearing. I guarantee a bit depends on who you cheer for and which sideline you were on. Obviously it was very contested on both sides and reviewed and talked about ad nauseam but I guess you know, I got a big picture in my office that shows that he scored a touchdown back then.

“It probably is still considered a touchdown that day and considered a touchdown 20 years from now. But it was a great game and a great win for the Indiana Hoosiers.”

Of course, Penix Jr. scored a two-point conversion, not a touchdown. But the point still remains. It was controversial at Penn State.

Penix Jr. lunged and extended his right arm and hit the pylon. It was extremely close considering Penix Jr. hit the pylon but his body was overextended and some thought he either lost possession or was down and out of bounds.

Indiana opened that season with the 36-35 win over Penn State in overtime and the rest was history. Penix Jr. finished with 170 yards, one touchdown, one interception and the much talked about rushing touchdown.

Tom Allen explains staying in coaching after Indiana departure

It came to a surprise as some considering Allen could have very easily taken his time before getting back on the sidelines after his firing from Indiana this season.

As Allen said, though, you can’t plan for this sort of thing. All you can do is handle it when it comes your way like this job in University Park did.

“Well, you don’t control the clock, the timing of things,” Allen said during his introductory press conference.. “You respond as most things you do in life.”

Allen continued by explaining that, at the end of the day, he’s a coach at heart. That’s why, when a coach like James Franklin and a program such as Penn State came calling, he couldn’t turn them away.

“I think, for me? I’m a football coach. Just love what I do. This opportunity that presented itself in this timeframe was one that I immediately had interest in,” Allen said. “Obviously, a chance to go further into that, coach, and go through the process. For me? I really expected to get back into it once things happened as they did. Probably a little quicker than expected but, once again, that’s the part you don’t control.”