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Penn State Football: Keys to the Game at Indiana

By Corey Hunter

Oct 8, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver DeAndre Thompkins (3) celebrates with wide receiver Chris Godwin (12) after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Maryland 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren- USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver DeAndre Thompkins (3) celebrates with wide receiver Chris Godwin (12) after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Maryland 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren- USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin runs on the field during a warmup prior to the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren- USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin runs on the field during a warmup prior to the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren- USA TODAY Sports /

Penn State once again hits the road to do battle with the Indiana Hoosiers.  See what the Nittany Lions need to do to continue their five-game winning streak.

Fresh off their impressive 41-14 throttling of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Penn State hits the road for the first of two consecutive road games.  This week’s opponent, the Indiana Hoosiers.  Indiana possesses a good blend of offensive skill and a sound defense.  With a kick time slated for noon, locally, the Nittany Lions will need to bring their A-game to leave Bloomington with a victory.

The game with the Hoosiers has long been circled as a potential trap game for the Nittany Lions. Following his team’s shellacking of Iowa and subsequent top-10 CFP ranking, head coach James Franklin immediately turned his attention to Indiana.

Message received!  A popular phrase uttered by Coach Franklin is to win the week and be 1-0.  It would be easy, perhaps even understandable, if his players looked ahead at a fairly easy remaining schedule.  Doing so though, leaves Penn State ripe for the upset by a hungry Indiana squad.  Indiana’s record currently stands at 5-4.  A win on Saturday would send the Hoosiers bowling for a second straight season, a feat not accomplished since the Bill Mallory era in 1990 and 1991.

Indiana enters Saturday’s contest riding a modest two game winning streak, punctuated by a come-from-behind win last week at Rutgers.

Offensively, the Hoosiers are led by a two-quarterback tandem of Zander Diamont and Richard Lagow.  Diamont excels at running the Wildcat while Lagow possesses the stronger throwing arm.  Junior Devine Redding paces the Hoosier backfield, and the wide receivers are led by sophomore Nick Westbrook.

Defensively, Indiana plays a 4-3 base defense, however freshman HUSKY Marcelino Ball acts more like a hybrid linebacker/defensive back.  In essence, the Hoosiers employ a 4-2-5 scheme.  Ball’s ability to move and act as a defensive back has freed linebackers Tegray Scales and Marcus Oliver to cover sideline to sideline.  As a result, both backers lead the team in tackles.  The unique defensive alignment employed by Indiana could give the Lions fits.

In this week’s installment of the keys to the game, let’s take a look at what the Nittany Lions must do to stymie the Indiana upset attempt.

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