Nittany Lions Nail 45-31 Comeback Win over Hoosiers

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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Trailing by 10 points late in the third quarter, No. 10 Penn State outscored Indiana 31-7 in the final 16 minutes, 9 seconds, to earn a 45-31 victory in Big Ten football action Saturday afternoon in Memorial Stadium. The win extended Penn State’s winning streak to six games, marking the first time since 1994 that it has won six straight against conference opponents in the same season.

Quarterback Trace McSorley led the Penn State (8-2, 6-1 Big Ten) comeback, completing 6-of-9 pass attempts for 183 yards and a touchdown after Indiana (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) went ahead 24-14 with 3:13 remaining in the third quarter. He finished the day with 332 yards passing and two passing touchdowns, completing 16-of-30 passing attempts, and he also scored the game’s first touchdown on the ground.

Despite being limited to 58 yards rushing on a career-high 33 carries for the game, Saquon Barkley scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter including the game-winner. Thirty-eight of his rushing yards came on 13 carries in the final frame.

Aiding McSorley were three receivers totaling 80-plus yards receiving. Chris Godwin caught five receptions for 82 yards and two touchdowns to lead the group, while tight end Mike Gesicki caught five passes for 88 yards and DaeSean Hamiltion caught three passes for 83 yards, including a 54-yard catch that set up a Barkley touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Turnovers were a major factor in the outcome, as the Penn State defense was able to recover all five of Indiana’s fumbles, including four in the first half. The fifth fumble was scooped up by Torrence Brown, who returned it 9 yards for a touchdown to put the game out of reach in the final seconds. The Lions also overcame a pair of McSorley interceptions, snapping a streak 142 pass attempts without a pick.

The game featured five lead changes and two ties. For a third consecutive game, Penn State raced out to an opening lead, as McSorley capped a seven-play, 60-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown run, but Indiana scored two touchdowns to Penn State’s one in the second quarter to go into halftime tied at 14-14.

A field goal and Devine Redding’s second rushing touchdown gave Indiana a 24-14 advantage with 3:13 remaining in the third quarter, but McSorley and the Nittany Lions took over from there for Penn State’s third double-digit comeback of the season (Minnesota, No. 2 Ohio State).
Turning Point

Penn State answered after Indiana went ahead by 10 late in the third quarter. McSorely flipped the field on the second play of the ensuing possession, finding Saeed Blacknall for 43 yards to the Indiana 31. After the Lions gained 10 yards on a rush and an Indiana offsides penalty, McSorley hit Godwin in the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown, slicing the deficit to three.

The Penn State defense forced a three-and-out and Penn State scored promptly, as a 54-yard toss to Hamilton on a flea-flicker highlighted the ensuing scoring drive. It put Barkley in position to score from just 4 yards out and give Penn State a 28-24 lead.

Indiana answered with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Richard Lagow to Nick Westbrook to retake the lead, 31-28, but it would be the Hoosiers’ last score.
After both teams traded punts, Penn State took over from its own 43 with 6:51 remaining. McSorely and Barkley led the Lions down the field, and Barkley scored from 2 yards out for the game-winning score. A field goal and fumble return for a touchdown put the game out of reach.

Penn State will play at Rutgers (2-8; 0-7) next Saturday. The game will kick at 8 p.m. on BTN. Rutgers lost today at Michigan State by a 49-0 count. Penn State will then conclude the regular season the following Saturday at home against Michigan State.

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