Throwback Thursday Week 12: Penn State Nittany Lions
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Indiana had no answers for a Penn State offense that posted more than 500 yards on the day
Written By Sammy Jacobs (@sammyj108)
Welcome to our penultimate piece of our Throwback Series as we take a look to the past for a review of the Hoosiers’ trip to Happy Valley to face the Penn State Nittany Lions. Indiana, coming off a blow out loss to Wisconsin, needed a win to keep their slim bowl changes alive.
Opponent: Penn State Nittany Lions
Location: Saturday November 17th /12pm/ Beaver Stadium/ (University Park, Pennsylvania)
Why They Played: The Hoosiers take on the Nittany Lions every year now that they are both part of the Leaders Division.
What The Game Meant:
The Hoosiers came into the game needing their first win ever against Penn State in order to keep their bowl hopes alive. Indiana came into the clash 0 for 15 all-time against Penn State.
Top Offensive Performers:
Shane Wynn, WR, Indiana- The dynamic receiver tore up the Penn State secondary catching nine passes for 109 yards. Even though Wynn did not find the end zone he kept the Hoosiers offense going with key catches over the middle.
Matt McGloin, QB, Penn State- The former walk-on torched the Hoosier defense throwing for 395 yards and four touchdowns. Indiana had no answer for the Penn State passing game all day.
Top Defensive Performers
Adam Replogle, DT, Indiana- The big man up front for the Hoosiers had quite a day as he racked up seven total tackes including four for a loss of yards. Due in part to Replogle’s efforts the Hoosiers held the Nittany Lion offense to a respectable 3.4 yards per carry.
Gerald Hodges, LB, Penn State- Linebacker U lived up to its name as Hodges recorded a team high 12 tackles and even intercepted a pass at the Penn State defense bent but did not break often against the Hoosier offense.
Special Team Performance:
For the first time in his career Mitch Ewald missed an extra point, which would have closed the gap to one score. Ewald also missed a field goal, going 3-4 on the day as his inconsistent kicking continued. Punter Erich Toth had a respectable day averaging a solid 40 yards on six punts.
Key Stat:
394
Anytime the Penn State aerial attack is out performs their ground game it comes as a little bit of a shock. Matt McGloin threw for a whooping 394 yards on a helpless Indiana secondary.
Turning Point-
Instead of possibly cutting the lead to five or even just one point just before half time the Hoosiers, who had the ball at the PSU 37- yard line, threw a bad interception that ended up leading to a Penn State touchdown and made the score 28-13 at the half.
I Knew it was over when…
Zach Zwinak plunged into the endzone from the 1-yard line to make it a 35-22 game.
Players of the Game
Indiana– Cam Coffman, Quarterback- The Hoosier signal caller did not have the greatest game and if he was more precise with his passes he could have had a monster game. Either way Cam Coffman still passed for 454 yards and two scores. While his interceptions were killer, he was still the best player the Hoosiers had on offense.
Penn State- Matt McGloin, Quarterback- The senior was the difference in the game as he made big throw after big throw. The Hoosiers had no answer for the passing game of Penn State as McGloin threw for 394 yards and four scores.
What I took away from the game
Well Indiana is not going to be bowl eligible in 2012, but we kind of figured that out when we lost to Navy and Ball State. There were a lot of concerns about the team’s performance as Cam Coffman was not sharp and picked the wrong time to throw two interceptions and what ever momentum the Hoosiers had was thwarted by points left on the field by the kicking game.