University Park— The Penn State Nittany Lions came within a toe of a massive upset over the No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers.
Indiana got the scoring started late in the first quarter. QB Fernando Mendoza capped a three-play, 68-yard scoring drive that took 1:42 with an 18-yard TD run.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Penn State responded with a 10-play, 67 yard scoring drive that took 5:28, ending with a two-yard TD run by Nicholas Singleton.
QB Ethan Grunkemeyer went 4-for-4 on that drive, with the big play being a 43-yard completion to Trebor Pena.
The next drive was a bizarre one. On the one hand, Penn State held Indiana to a field goal despite IU driving to the Penn State five. On the other, Indiana stayed on the field for 8:38, and only held the ball for nearly that long because of a defensive holding penalty that negated a third down stop.
It looked like the teams would go into the break at 10-7, but Indiana had other plans. Kaytron Allen’s fumble, forced by Jamari Sharpe and recovered by Aiden Fisher, set IU up in the Penn State red zone. A Kaelon Black TD run put IU up by two scores.
Unfortunately for Penn State, the second half began the way the first half ended— with an offensive turnover.
Ethan Grunkemeyer’s second pass of the drive was intercepted by Fisher, giving IU a short field. The Penn State defense was able to hold Indiana to a field goal, making it 20-7 Indiana.
Penn State got a Ryan Barker field goal on its next possession to cut the deficit to 10.
Penn State QB Ethan Grunkemeyer had his best day as a starter so far, ending 16-22 with 171 yards and an interception.
Singleton scored two plays later to make it a one-possession game.
An interception by King Mack set Penn State up in Indiana territory with around 10 minutes left.
Penn State took advantage with 19-yard pass from Grunkemeyer to Singleton.
The Nittany Lions were able to force Indiana into a 3-and-out on the ensuing possession but were unable to ice the game and Indiana got the ball back with two minutes to go.
The Hoosiers drove 80 yards in spectacular fashion with no time outs and were able to convert late with a touchdown from Mendoza to Cooper Jr., who made one of the best catches you’ll ever see, to break the hearts of Beaver Stadium.
Penn State had one final chance to tie it, but were unable to drive into field goal range.
