The Indiana Hoosiers stayed undefeated with a 27-24 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, running their record to 10-0 for the second year in a row and second time ever as a program.
IU pulled off the win with one of the most spectacular drives of the season for any program in the country, with receivers Charlie Becker and Omar Cooper Jr. Making spectacular catches, the latter the go-ahead touchdown grab in the final minute.
After the win, The Indianapolis Star’s Aaron Ferguson noted Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti’s emotions, but complimented Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith’s getting the Nittany Lions to a level of play James Franklin seemingly couldn’t.
“A man of few emotions, at least outward-expressing emotions, couldn't hold back,” Ferguson prefaced before saying, “Curt Cignetti was choked up after his Indiana football team overcame an upset-minded Penn State team that showed why it was a preseason favorite for the national championship.”
On the broadcast, FOX Sports broadcaster Joel Klatt made the call while PSU was up that this was the kind of win that eluded Franklin. As it turned out, Smith couldn’t go that far and upset the No. 2 team in the country.
With the Ohio State Buckeyes routing the Purdue Boilermakers 34-10 in West Lafayette, Indiana, the Hoosiers are expected to remain at No. 2. IU next takes on the Wisconsin Badgers and Boilermakers to end the season.
Penn State, at 3-6, must win out against the Michigan State Spartans, Nebraska Cornhuskers, and Rutgers Scarlet Knights to earn bowl eligibility.
If Franklin were still coaching, who knows if the Nittany Lions would have almost upset Indiana? All we know is that Smith has fans confident that a 3-0 finish is possible with a roster that convinced voters to have Penn State ranked No. 2 overall in preseason polls.