College Football
Penn State Battles Indiana
Penn State is set to hit the road for the first time in quite sometime. After being home for three straight weeks (including a bye) the Nittany Lions will head to the Hoosier state as Penn State battles Indiana.
The Game
Penn State will head to Indiana to face the Indiana Hoosiers this Saturday for a 3:30 pm kickoff in Bloomington, Indiana. Penn State will hit the road for the first time in three weeks (two home games and a bye). The last time they were on the road was Friday, September 21 at Illinois.
All-Time Series Against Indiana
Penn State and Indiana have met 22 times in the all-time series thus far. Penn State had taken control of the series with a commanding 20 wins to Indiana’s lone victory. Last year, both teams faced off at Beaver Stadium and Penn State won 45-14 in a game where the Nittany Lions wore their throwback jerseys.
Penn State’s biggest victory came back in 2003 when the Nittany Lions pounded the Hoosiers 52-7. On the other hand, the Hoosiers’ largest margin of victory came in 2013 when they won their only game of this all-time series 44-24. Penn State’s longest win streak in this all-time series came between the years of 1993-2012 when they rode a 16 game win streak.
Penn State
The Nittany Lions enter this game coming off a heart-breaking loss at the hands of the Michigan State Spartans. With that loss, Penn State effectively has no shot at a berth in the College Football Playoff (not that it’s on their mind). James Franklin and company’s mentality all season long has been 1-0 every week. Penn State is currently fifth in the Big Ten East standings. Penn State is 4-2 and 1-2 in Big Ten conference play.
Penn State would definitely love to get back in the win column this weekend. They need a win here to assure them a nice Bowl Game down the stretch. Penn State is currently 1-2 in Big Ten conference play with a two game losing streak. However, the good news is they are undefeated on the road (2-0) this season. Maybe they need to play on the road to get a little rejuvenated. Trace McSorley completed 19 of 32 attempted passes for 192 yards and one touchdown. McSorley also has 13 rushes 44 yards. Furthermore, Miles Sanders had himself a game on the ground as well. Sanders had 17 carries for 163 yards and one touchdown.
Receiving-wise for Penn State K.J Hamler continues to stand out from the pack as he had five receptions for 66 yards and one touchdown.
Indiana
The Indiana Hoosiers enter this game on a two game losing streak as the losers of three out of their last four games. Indiana faced Iowa last weekend in a Big Ten West showdown at home and lost to the Hawkeyes 42-16.
The Hoosiers are 4-3 overall and 1-3 in Big Ten conference play thus far. As much as Indiana will look to give Penn State a challenge playing at home, they’re just 2-2 (.500) at Memorial Stadium this season. Hoosier quarterback Peyton Ramsey will look to have a better game against a Penn State defense that is slowly trying to find its identity. Last game, Ramsey completed 31 of 42 passes for 263 yards. Ramsey connected for one touchdown to wide receiver Ty Fryfogle who had 4 receptions for 71 yards. Furthermore, Peyton Ramsey was sacked twice and threw two interceptions. Ramsey also led in the rushing department with eleven rushes for 32 yards and one touchdown.
Conclusion
Penn State battles Indiana Saturday. Ironically, both teams lost at home last weekend on each school’s homecoming game. Penn State desperately needs a win here to have a positive outlook for the rest of the season. The Nittany Lions still have a chance at a New Years Six bowl but they most likely need to win out (yes that means defeating Michigan at the Big House). Tune in as Penn State battles Indiana.
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Photo Credit to Penn State Alumni Association via Flickr
