Penn State is set to clash with No. 2 Indiana on Saturday at noon, aiming to break its five-game losing streak. The game will be broadcast on FOX. Interim head coach Terry Smith has frequently referred to the team”s current situation as a storm, a sentiment echoed by players like safety King Mack, who expressed determination to emerge from this challenging period.
“Yes, we”re in a storm,” Mack stated. “Yes, it”s hard. But we”re going to get ourselves out of it. You either look at it as a positive for growth or you can sit there and dwell on it and let the storm run over you.”
Indiana has been a formidable opponent this season, remaining undefeated with a record of 9-0 and 6-0 in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers have decisively outscored their opponents, with a combined score of 418-97. Their only close call came against Iowa, which they narrowly defeated 20-15. Indiana is favored by 14.5 points to win at Beaver Stadium, marking Smith”s first home game since he took over for the recently dismissed James Franklin.
Franklin faced criticism from fans following a close loss to Northwestern, and quarterback Drew Allar suffered a season-ending injury in that game. Smith has called for the home crowd to rally behind the team. “We need our crowd to cheer us,” he said. “We need family. We need support. It”s homefield advantage. It”s Beaver Stadium. It”s where we should be cheered.”
The Nittany Lions have not secured a victory against a top-five team since their 2016 upset of then-No. 2 Ohio State. Since that game, they have lost 15 consecutive matchups against ranked opponents, including a recent double-overtime defeat to No. 5 Oregon and a significant loss to No. 1 Ohio State last week. Other notable defeats during this stretch include losses to UCLA, Northwestern, and Iowa.
“It”s been a long couple of weeks,” linebacker Dominic DeLuca commented. “Nothing really has been going our way. We haven”t been able to execute. We have to do our job at the end of the day.” He emphasized the need to boost team morale and focus on playing their game with intensity.
Indiana presents a significant challenge, leading the nation in scoring with an average of 46.4 points per game. They rank third in total offense and scoring defense, and seventh in total defense. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, a transfer from California, boasts impressive statistics, being second nationally in pass efficiency with a completion rate of 72.3 percent, totaling 2,124 yards, 25 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. His receiving corps, featuring Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt, has combined for 91 receptions, 1,278 yards, and 18 touchdowns, surpassing the production of Ohio State”s top receivers.
In terms of defense, Indiana has a strong turnover margin of plus-12, ranking second in the nation with 13 interceptions. “They fly around to the ball,” remarked quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, who will start at home for the first time. “Their D-line comes off the ball vertically, which helps the secondary create those turnovers.”
Penn State is looking to avoid its first six-game losing streak since 2004, a feat accomplished only three times in the school”s history. “The energy in the locker room is great,” Mack noted. “Everyone”s in high spirits because we get to play the game we love. We have to get ourselves out of the storm. We know that we put ourselves in it.”
Rich Scarcella predicts a score of Indiana 31, Penn State 17, highlighting Indiana”s substantial average margin of victory and their overall strength on both offense and defense. Protecting the football will be crucial for the Nittany Lions if they hope to keep the game competitive.
