Written by Matt Smith

The Hoosiers travel to Happy Valley this weekend to take on the number four ranked Nittany Lions. Penn State has called this game the stripe game which means Beaver Stadium will be packed and the fans will be loud.

Last year the Hoosiers upset Penn State at home in the season opener when Michael Penix converted on his infamous dive for the two point conversion. So, it is to be expected that the Nittany Lions want revenge on IU.

One obstacle that the Hoosiers are going to face is the crowd noise at Beaver Stadium.

“[playing at] Iowa definitely will help. Any time you have a chance to experience something that gives you something to draw from and that experience. It won't be quite like it will be [Saturday at Penn State]. It's going to be a night game this Saturday and more fans in the stands and be louder,” Tom Allen said during his Thursday press conference.

One of the things that the Hoosiers are doing to prepare for the noise is pumping in crowd noise during practice.

“You pump in the noise, and you do all of that for practice. You just have to fall back on the habits and the fundamentals and the technique that you have built upon and the foundation that you have to be able to handle that environment so you can play your best,” Allen said.

A key player going into the game against Penn State is kicker Charles Campbell. Campbell is perfect on the season so far in field goals including going four for four against Western Kentucky this past weekend. The Hoosiers will rely on him for key points against the Nittany Lion’s tough defense.

At his Thursday press conference, Allen went into detail about what it was like recruiting Campbell.

“There was a connection with us. He was from the same town when I was at Lambuth University I knew his dad from way back them, oddly enough. That wasn't necessarily why we took him, so it gave us an ability to know his family and the kind of character we are going to get in regard to a young man and how he was raised and how he would fit with us,” Allen said.

Cam Jones will also be a key player for the Hoosiers this weekend. Allen spoke very highly of Jones’ athletic ability and his shift from wide receiver to linebacker during his time at IU.

According to Allen, Jones is always around the ball and has the length and athleticism to play the position effectively.

Jones and the Hoosiers defense have a tall task ahead of them with Sean Clifford and the Penn State offense averaging 31 points per game so far this season.

“[Clifford] continues to be effective with his legs and he has hurt us in the past with that. Obviously, he has hurt us throwing the ball, as well. You can just tell he is a great leader and a great player. He is a big reason why they are as good as they are and in the position that they are in. So, great quarterback,” Allen said.

The Huddle

Hoosiers Relying on Fundamentals against Penn State

Hoosier Huddle