Key Takeaways, Missed Field Goals Help Defense in IU's Upset Win over No. 8 Penn State
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Image: Indiana University Athletics
Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
The Indiana Hoosiers scored their most impressive victory since 1987 with their thrilling 36-35 overtime victory over the eighth ranked Penn State Nittany Lions. The Hoosiers defense bent, but didn’t break early and it wasn’t until the Nittany Lions scored 14 points in 48 seconds did the defense bust. However, three takeaways, three missed Nittany Lion field goals and a fourth down stop was enough to keep the Hoosiers in the game.
The box score may be ugly for the Hoosiers. Penn State had 488 yards of offense. They held the ball for 40:25 to the Hoosiers 19:35. The defense was gassed. It looked as though it was going to be a long day for Kane Wommack’s defense as the Nittany Lions methodically scored on a 13-play drive that ate up 7:01. Then the Hoosiers offense went three and out. That’s when IU’s defense came alive. They forced a Penn State punt. Then after another punt from the Hoosier offense, IU cornerback Jaylin Williams picked off a Sean Clifford pass and returned it to the Penn State 38-yard line. There was life and Indiana would convert on a Charles Campbell field goal.
Indiana captain and linebacker Micah McFadden praised Indiana’s ability to adjust after the first drive. “I’d say all week we kind of knew that you know first game of the seasons are kind of weird you never know what they're going to come out with what they're going to run early so I think that first drive you know there were some things they were throwing out at us that we weren't really ready for, but we made some quick adjustments on the sideline and throughout the first really the first half and into halftime i think we made we made some really good adjustments.”
After a quick first down, the defense forced another punt and Reese Taylor returned it 21 yards to the IU 38-yard line. A play that will go unnoticed, but exactly the kind of play that helps win games. It helped set up a 14-yard Stevie Scott touchdown and a lead IU would not relinquish until the final three minutes. A second interception, this one by Jamar Johnson, set up another Stevie Scott touchdown that pushed the lead to 17-7. Johnson has interceptions in three straight contests. The Hoosiers also kept the Nittany Lions off the board with a fumble as Jamar Johnson forced a fumble that was recovered by Jerome Johnson.
Jamar Johnson said “I think it was just we just seized opportunities in the moment. I mean we knew we knew we knew some of their tendencies. He overthrew a pick to me. It was like I had to catch it. It was like one of those cupcake picks and also we just i just made an extinct play down in the red zone. The quarterback he tried to pull it. I just went for the ball to strip it.”
Sometimes a team needs a little luck to spring an upset. The Hoosiers forced Penn State to miss three field goals from 25, 47 and 57 yards out.
Statistically, the defense was gashed, but they fought back. Forced three takeaways and three missed field goals. While the box score may be ugly, a defense that was on the field for 87 plays and 40-plus minutes helped bail out a Hoosier offense that looked stuck in the mud most of the afternoon.