UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State (4-2, 1-2) heads to Bloomington, Indiana for a conference matchup with the Indiana Hoosiers (4-3, 1-3). The game, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. (ET) Saturday, will mark the 22nd all-time meeting between the two programs.
Indiana is coming off a 42-16 loss to Iowa, while Penn State looks to bounce back from a 21-17 loss against Michigan State. The Nittany Lions have won 20-of-21 all-time meeting against the Hoosiers, including a 45-14 victory on September 30, 2018. Penn State has scored 45 points in its last two meetings with the Hoosiers.
Last time Penn State was in Bloomington, the Lions went on a 31-7 scoring run to erase a 10-point deficit in the third quarter. The game will be televised on ABC and broadcast on the Penn State Sports Network.
Penn State spotlight
In his last two games, Garrett Taylor has been in the right place, at the right time. The junior safety has collected two interceptions and been credited for six pass breakups. When asked earlier this week if he is playing the best football of his season, Garrett said '"I think I'm just getting better with every game," Taylor said. "Being more comfortable out there is huge for me, and that's allowed me to play faster. My instincts have taken over, so I'm making plays on the ball, but I definitely feel more comfortable at the position."
Quote of the week
"I think that's the biggest thing that we have to do. We have to make sure that we're sticking together," James Franklin said. "We're staying positive and we're focusing on the things that we can control and get those things fixed and get better at them."
Three keys to victory
- Continue to attack on the ground. Penn State, as a team, has more than 200 rushing yards in its last nine games. Miles Sanders leads the way with 104 carries for 700 yards and seven touchdowns. Last week, the junior ran for 162 yards and a touchdown against Michigan State.
- Contain dual-threat QB Peyton Ramsey. The redshirt sophomore has thrown for 12 touchdowns, while rushing for three.
- Defensive pressure. The Nittany Lions average 8.5 tackles for loss per game this season. A number that leads the Big Ten and ranks ninth in the FBS.
Historical tracker
- Trace McSorley is 390 yards shy of 9,000 career passing yards
- Juwan Johnson is 8 yards shy of 1,000 career receiving yards
- Tommy Stevens is 124 yards shy of 500 career rushing yards
Indiana connections
- Penn State running back Mark Allen, defensive end Shane Simmons, and Indiana defensive back Tyler Green played together at DeMatha Catholic in Maryland.
- Tommy Stevens (Indianapolis) and Mac Hippenhammer (Fort Wayne) both reside from Indiana
Indiana quick facts
Head Coach: Tom Allen
Record at Indiana (2nd season): 9-11 (.450)
vs. Penn State: 0-1