Penn State plows past Indiana: Highs and Lows

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Penn State rebounded from its disappointing loss to No. 2 Ohio State against Indiana on Saturday afternoon. It took shape in the form of a 45-14 blowout that included some early missteps, but eventually, a plodding decimation of a weary Hoosier program.

Here is a snapshot look at the game’s highs and lows:

Penn State/Indiana Highs and Lows

PLAYER OF THE GAME Kaytron Allen’s longest run of the game was just 12 yards on Saturday afternoon. That didn’t matter. Running 18 times for 86 yards with three touchdowns, seemingly every time he touched the ball was of tangible benefit to the Nittany Lions. 

PLAY OF THE GAME Penn State’s offense needed some time to get going on Saturday, but once Kaytron Allen took a sweep shovel pass 27 yards deep into Indiana territory, then ripped off an easy 11-yard touchdown run the next play, the Nittany Lions’ path to a win was clear. 

BEST PASS The game was already out of reach, but Drew Allar’s bullet to Tre Wallace in the back of the end zone was a beautiful sight to behold. A dart from the true freshman quarterback to his target, showing up in his receiver’s hands seemingly as soon as it left Allar’s, the connection put the Nittany Lions ahead 38-7.

BEST RUN Kaytron Allen was as mature and steady as they come on Saturday afternoon, shining no brighter than during his second-quarter touchdown to send Penn State to a 21-7 advantage. The 6-yard score looked dead to rights in the backfield, but a juke, a stiff arm, and trucking one of Indiana’s corners finished the job. He’d have three on the day. 

BEST CATCH Brenton Strange picked up a key third down conversion for Penn State early in the second half. But, it was how he did it that demands not just the best catch, but maybe even play of the game status. Reaching over Indiana’s defender, the Nittany Lion tight end reeled in the 25-yard pickup to shepherd Penn State out of its red zone. Also, Tinsley made an incredible play on a first-quarter ball thrown behind him in the first quarter to come down with the 27-yard pickup. 

WORST DROP Theo Johnson broke free on the twist and found himself wide open deep down the Nittany Lions’ sideline, the target of Clifford’s pass from the 35. Unfortunately for Johnson, all was well until he couldn’t come down with what appeared to be a routine catch and likely touchdown.

BEST SACK There were so many to choose from on Saturday that picking one is a challenge. Still, Tig Brown’s blindside sack on third-and-long late in the first quarter has to come out at the top regardless of the competition. The shot dropped Jack Tuttle for a 7-yard loss and forced a punt. Penn State’s defensive line abused the Hoosiers on Saturday. 

BEST HIT Penn State had an afternoon of big ones, but Kobe King’s meeting with Jaylin Lucas for a 1-yard loss on the Hoosiers’ opening possession of the second half was the highlight.

BEST EFFORT Indiana’s offensive possession late in the first quarter ended up losing seven yards over six plays, but Evan James’ punt, and his bullets downing the ball at the Nittany Lion 2, were tremendous. The extra effort pinned Penn State deep to close out the first quarter.

BEST KICK Facing a fourth-and-10 at the Indiana 33, embattled Penn State kicker Jake Pinegar got the call from James Franklin. And, with the wind at his back at Memorial Stadium, the call proved correct as Pinegar easily connected for the three points and a 24-7 lead going into the half.

BEST RETURN Dani Dennis-Sutton tracked the tipped pass from Jon Sutherland, came down with the interception, then went 20 yards the other direction to set up the second possession of the afternoon for quarterback Drew Allar. 

BEST DECISION Returning to feature the running game that had given Penn State its few offensive successes in the first half proved fruitful early in the second quarter. Specifically, that came to fruition when Kaytron Allen ripped off a 27-yard shovel pass-and-run, then followed it with an 11-yard touchdown run. The plays gave Penn State a 14-7 advantage with 9:25 to play. 

WORST DECISION Indiana and Penn State both managed poor decisions on the same play early in the second half. For the Hoosiers, that looked like a badly-thrown Hail Mary that freshman quarterback Brendan Sorsby gifted to the Nittany Lions. For Penn State, meanwhile, it was Amin Vanover’s unsportsmanlike conduct and late hit that proved foolish. 

MOST TELLING MOMENT In a game Penn State was already feeling the effects of injury limitations on the offensive line, Hunter Nourzad getting rolled up on during the first snap of the afternoon was of warranted concern for the Nittany Lions. That he was able to return was important, but Sal Wormley suffered a similar fate in the second half. This is going to be a tenuous trip to the finish line for this group.