Tom Allen shares how 2020 upset of Penn State impacts 2022 matchup

In 2020, Tom Allen led Indiana to a 6-2 record. That season began with a win over Penn State, which the Hoosiers won on a two-point play in overtime. This was also the start of a long and difficult season for the Nittany Lions. Now, the two teams are getting ready to meet at Indiana for the first time since that game.

While speaking to the media, Tom Allen was asked what he hoped to replicate from that game.

“Well, it’s definitely something that’s a big part of our history,” Tom Allen said. “In that moment, unique situation for sure with how it all kind of played itself out in regards to–leading up to that we weren’t supposed to play them, you know, to start the season and with the schedule change and everything that happened with the pandemic that was the case.”

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“Limited fans were, obviously, in attendance, and so you remember the guys found a way to finish the game, you know, and didn’t–got off to a strong start. Led most of the game and then, you know, fell behind at the very end and then found a way to rally back, send it to overtime, and have a historic play.”

Clearly, the 2020 game is a great memory for Tom Allen. He considers it a historic moment in his career and Indiana program history. At the same time, he downplayed the idea that the 2020 game is going to impact this year’s game at all.

“So, but it’s in the past, and a new team, new guys, a lot of new faces on both teams. So, a great opportunity for our team, any time you have a chance to play a top team in the country. You know that’s what you want to be able to do, and our guys have a big week ahead of us to prepare for that. So, just gotta continue to find a way to get better and finish games.”

James Franklin on making a quarterback change

Sean Clifford has struggled with consistency during his time as Penn State’s starting quarterback. Now, with five-star freshman Drew Allar sitting behind him, there have been questions about whether or not head coach James Franklin will make a change.

“Obviously there’s nothing to really report in terms of changes,” James Franklin said. “You guys haven’t really asked me this the whole rest of the season, so obviously if there’s any type of change I probably still wouldn’t announce it till after the game obviously because the other team is watching everything we discuss.”