Hoosier Defense Shows Signs of Life in Narrow Loss at Penn State

Written by Zachary Greene

On Saturday the defensive unit played one of their best games of the season. The Hoosiers held the Nittany Lions to a little over three yards per carry and forced Penn State Quarterback to throw his first INT of the season. The defense totaled six tackles for loss and three sacks.

“I hurt for them,'' Tom Allen said on the postgame radio show. “A lot of effort was given. I'm so proud of them and the way they prepared, the way they responded."

Yet again, the Hoosiers fell short in a Big Ten game. They fall to 2-6 and 0-5 in Big Ten play.

Despite a couple mistakes from the defense, the effort was there after three really rough games in a row.

"I believe in this team. I know we've had some shortcomings, but we're getting better. Our offense is getting better. Our defense did some great things.” Tom Allen said after the game.

When Drew Allar found KeAndre Lambert-Smith for a 57-yard touchdown, the game flipped in the Nittany Lions' favor. The young offense and defense were both locked in, but poor coverage, especially on defense, on a couple of key plays turned an upset into another defeat for the Hoosiers. Penn State finished the game with a series of big plays late, narrowly avoiding an upset at the hands of Indiana. Despite entering the game as 32-point favorites, Penn State struggled offensively and did not perform up to expectations. 

Despite the win, Penn State's offensive issues remain critical. The game was not a pretty performance, but Penn State was able to shake off last week's loss to Ohio State and get back in the win column Penn State finally hit the big play at the biggest moment when Drew Allar found KeAndre Lambert-Smith for a 57-yard touchdown pass that proved to be the difference.

The Hoosiers return home as they will welcome the Wisconsin Badgers to town on Saturday. They open as 11-point underdogs.