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Penn State late surge survives Indiana: Postgame Show

Headshot 5x7 reduced qualityby:Thomas Frank Carr•10/28/23•

ThomasFrankCarr

Drew Allar Penn State Football On3
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar hit a deep ball to secure a win for Penn State late in the fourth quarter on Saturday. (Photo: USA Today)

The Penn State Nittany Lions won against Indiana, but it was more of the same from the offense and an uncharacteristic down game for the Nittany Lion’s defense. It was a dramatic conclusion with the 31-24 win with big plays through four quarters. Join the BWI Live Postgame Show to discuss the win over the Hoosiers and Penn State’s prospects as they enter the most critical two-game stretch left in the season. 

The BWI Live Postgame Show comes to you live immediately after the game’s conclusion. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel so you don’t miss it when shows go live. 

Penn State defense gives up uncharacteristic big plays

The Nittany Lion’s defense has been the team’s strength for the entire season, keeping the struggling offense in games with locked-in play. Yet on Saturday, the defense gave up two explosive touchdowns of 90 and 69 yards in the first half. 

Free safety Zakee Wheatley was beaten in single coverage on the game’s third drive, resulting in a catch and run of 90 yards for Dequece Carter. Next, the secondary miscommunicated on a blitz and allowed receiver Donaven McCulley to scamper free for another long touchdown. 

The bad day for the coverage team wasn’t over. Sorbsy hit Omar Cooper Jr. on a 26-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to keep Indiana within three points. 

However, even on an off day the defense kept the team in the game. They got a timely stop on third down with six minutes left in the game to give the ball back to the offense with a lead and a chance to kill the clock. 

After an explosive play touchdown by Allar, the defense responded with a Dani Dennis-Sutton sack that resulted in a safety. 

Offense continues to muddle along

There were some good moments for the Penn State offense, including a 16-yard touchdown to Theo Johnson up the middle on a Cover 0 by the defense. Quarterback Drew Allar hit Johnson in contested coverage for a red zone touchdown. 

However, the team gave up multiple sacks and pressures on Saturday that, once again, kept the team off-kilter. However, the team still went three-and-out three times with another four-and-out in the game. With the surprising game pressure on them, the offense fell apart with the game on the line. Allar threw his first interception of the season with five minutes left, giving Indiana the ball on the 21-yard line. 

But not for long. 

After his first career interception, Allar uncorked a 57-yard touchdown pass to KeAndre Lambert-Smith and connected on possibly the biggest pass of his young career. 

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