Victory Bell Rings
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Penn State Football: keys to success at Indiana

By Nick Kreiser

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions rings the victory bell after the game against the Ohio Bobcats at Beaver Stadium on September 10, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions rings the victory bell after the game against the Ohio Bobcats at Beaver Stadium on September 10, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Penn State Football fans are hopeful that their team can run the table in November, and they certainly can; but it starts with Indiana this weekend.

This game seems like it shouldn’t be close, it probably shouldn’t be, but it certainly can be. The Hoosiers are better than their 3-5 record might suggest, and they played Michigan tough for a little while when they met earlier in the season.

To avoid the dreaded ‘losing a game you’re not supposed to’, these will be some keys to success for Penn State Football at Indiana.

Avoid a slow start

STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 29: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks on during the first half of the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium on October 29, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 29: Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks on during the first half of the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium on October 29, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

These are the types of game where it feels like Penn State Football has always sleepwalked through the first half under James Franklin. This is also the type of game that, the longer you let them hang around, the more they feel like they can beat you.

It will be important for the Nittany Lions to come out swinging on both sides of the ball.

Offensively, the biggest key will be avoiding any costly turnovers early. It will also be important to establish their will in the running game right away, as well as get the ball to their playmakers on the outside–namely Parker Washington–early and often.

On defense, they need to play fast and aggressive. Get the Hoosiers to an early third and long and let the pass rushers pin their ears back and set the tone. Getting pressure on Connor Bazelak early will be important, which we’ll discuss further in a later slide.

Penn State needs to put this team away by the middle of the third quarter, not only so they can make a statement, but also so they can get some backups some more experience.

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