Unlike the game against Wisconsin, where the Hoosiers appeared overmatched from the start, this game didn't have that feel, but the outcome was much the same, and more importantly, the Hoosiers will be playing for nothing but pride when they head to West Lafayette Saturday for the Old Oaken Bucket game.
Here's the box score. This was another solid offensive performance for IU, at least by the numbers. IU gained 478 yards, including 454 passing yards by Cameron Coffman. Coffman did throw two interceptions, and IU's good turnover numbers for the season have evaporated in recent weeks. IU had some big opportunities in the first half, didn't seize them, gave up an awful touchdown at the end of the first half, and never got closer than six in the second half.
Five different Hoosiers gained over 50 receiving yards: Shane Wynn, Duwyce Wilson (asserting himself pf late--he could be a force as a senior), Ted Bolser, Kofi Hughes, and Stephen Houston. Ultimately, the defense was again gashed. Against Wisconsin, it was in the running game. For Penn State, it was Matthew McGloin and WR Allen Robinson and the Penn State passing game. Penn State threw for only 394 yards, but had a complementary running game that made the difference compared to IU's offense, which didn't score much for all of the yardage games.
Well, this is a short recap. At this point, the details of the Penn State game don't matter. IU now has to prepare for a Purdue team that has a chance to play in its first warm weather bowl game since 2006. Danny Hope and his staff will at least pretend as if they have the chance to save their jobs. It will be tough, as it always is for IU at Ross-Ade, but it's a winnable game. The Bucket game has no bowl implications for IU, but from the perspective of recruiting, bragging rights, and denying Purdue a bowl game, it's a big deal. More as the week continues.