Hoosiers Inch Past Nittany Lions in Breathtaking Season-Opener
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Image: Indiana University Athletics
Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
After a long offseason that left the 2020 season very much in doubt, Indiana football is back and just as we’ve come to expect, the Hoosiers battled a favored opponent to the bitter end. This time though, the last joyful celebration belonged to Indiana. This time, the narrative was changed. This time, it was IU celebrating as the score went final. For the first time in Tom Allen’s Indiana career, the Hoosiers knocked off a ranked opponent and for the first since 1987, Indiana has a win over a top ten foe. Michael Penix lunged on a two-point conversion in overtime and just barely crossed the goal line to give the Hoosiers a breathtaking 36-35 victory to open the season at 1-0.
Penn State began the contest with the ball at the 36-yard line after a short kick off by Indiana. With a nice mix of the run and the pass, the Nittany Lions moved the ball inside of scoring territory quickly. The Hoosiers defense stuffed a couple of running plays inside of the five-yard line but on fourth and goal, Sean Clifford lobbed a two-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Pat Freiermuth to give PSU a 7-0 lead. Indiana went three and out as Michael Penix was sacked and it appeared things could get ugly quickly in Bloomington. However, the Indiana defense would not allow Penn State to build a big lead. They shut down a third and two run and forced Penn State to punt, giving Indiana the ball at the 32. The offense again was forced into a punt without a first down but things got interesting as Penn State muffed the punt and it bounced towards the sideline. Micah McFadden appeared to keep the ball inbounds and fall on it for a recovery. However, a review resulted in the officials calling an illegal procedure penalty on McFadden and forcing IU to punt again. Penn State could not take advantage of their good fortune as Clifford was overthrew a pass that fell into the hands of IU’s Jaylin Williams. The IU defensive back returned it to the PSU 38-yard line and the Hoosiers picked up their opening first down of the contest on the final play of the first quarter.
Indiana turned to Stevie Scott and he pounded the ball into the red zone but Penn State’s defense held the Hoosiers to a field goal. Charles Campbell hit a 34-yard kick to put IU on the board. Penn State’s offense was forced to punt again and the Hoosiers took over on their own 38-yard line. Michael Penix found Ty Fryfogle to move the ball across midfield and then Stevie Scott and Sampson James had successful runs. Then Stevie Scott bulldozed a PSU defender and ran in from 14 yards out for a Hoosier touchdown to put IU ahead 10-7. Penn State stumbled on the ensuing kickoff and the Hoosiers trapped them at the five-yard line. IU’s defense pressured Sean Clifford and his pass was intercepted by Jamar Johnson and returned to the four-yard line. Two plays later, Stevie Scott dove into the end zone for his second touchdown to put IU ahead 17-7. Penn State went on a very nice and lengthy drive that took a lot of time off of the clock but inside the red zone, PSU was stripped by Jamar Johnson and Jerome Johnson fell on the fumble. Stevie Scott was trying to run the clock out at the end of the first half but was hit in the head and fumbled. Penn State recovered with two seconds left and a review somehow did not determine targeting had occurred. However, Jake Pinegar doinked his short kick off the upright as time expired on the first half. Indiana had only 87 yards of offense but the Nittany Lions had three turnovers.
Indiana began the second half with a first down but they were unable to sustain the drive and were forced to punt it away. PSU began their drive at the 16-yard line and methodically worked their way down the field but an offensive pass interference and two incompletions stymied the possession and Jake Pinegar missed a 47-yard field goal to keep the score 17-14. On the very next play, Michael Penix forced a pass to Ty Fryfogle and Lamont Wade came up with the interception at the 43-yard line. On the final play of the third quarter, Sean Clifford evaded Indiana tacklers and scampered into the end zone to cut the margin to three at 17-14. Indiana responded with a decent drive and Charles Campbell nailed a 49-yard field goal to make it 20-14. IU’s defense continued to frustrate the PSU offense but the Hoosiers offense squandered multiple chances to put the game away, including a drop on third down by Peyton Hendershot that he could have run for a long way with. The Hoosiers defense finally made a mistake, letting a receiver into the middle of the field and Clifford connected for a long touchdown pass to give PSU a lead at 21-20 with under three minutes to play. IU’s offensive line struggled all day and they allowed a pair of sacks to Shaka Toney and the Hoosiers offense failed to convert a fourth and 21. IU let Penn State’s Devyn Ford run into the end zone and gladly let him score to make it 28-20 with 1:42 remaining. The Hoosiers took advantage of the last gasp of life, impressively driving down the field. Penix got it to Peyton Hendershot but he was ruled down at the one. With only 22 seconds left, Michael Penix got into the end zone on a quarterback sneak. IU needed the two-point conversion to tie the game and Michael Penix avoided traffic on a quarterback draw and charged into the end zone to make it 28-28. Indiana inexplicably mishit a squib kick and Penn State took over near midfield. They attempted a 57-yard and Pinegar’s boot would have been good from 55 but it fell just short, sending the game into overtime. Penn State had the ball first in overtime. Sean Clifford ran for one first down and then threw a nice pass on third and seven for a touchdown to Parker Washington. Penn State took the 35-28 lead and forced IU to respond. Stevie Scott had a reception and then a rush for a first down to get IU inside the ten-yard line. Michael Penix threw a nice touchdown pass to Whop Philyor to make it 35-34. The Hoosiers opted to go for two and Michael Penix dove for the pylon. It was ruled a successful conversion on the field but the officials reviewed the play for what seemed an eternity. The verdict was that the call would stand and for the first time since 1987, Indiana had defeated a top ten opponent.
Penn State had three turnovers but the Indiana offense was inept for much of the game against a strong Nittany Lion defense. Statistics hardly matter in a game as wild as this one but in regulation, Michael Penix was 16-33 for 153 yards with one interception, a rushing touchdown and the crucial two-point conversion. Sean Clifford ran for 106 yards in regulation and a touchdown and added 226 passing yards. Ultimately, all that mattered was the final play. From three yards out, Tom Allen made the call to go for the win and Michael Penix got the ball across the goal line by the slimmest of margins.
Hoosier Huddle will have continuing coverage of this historic victory for the Hoosiers.