How Penn State football failed at the end vs Indiana, loses six straight game
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STATE COLLEGE — Penn State football finally, truly, found its place again against an elite opponent in the fourth quarter.
A team that had lost five straight games for the first time in five years.
A team that had lost their starting quarterback, top linebacker and their head coach. One buried for being the biggest disappointment in college football.
The Nittany Lions finally found so much on Saturday against the No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers here in Beaver Stadium, from Nick Singleton’s season breakthrough to a gallant defensive effort to a standout freshman quarterback — and it still wasn’t enough in the most heartbreaking season on record.
On Saturday, they would lose to the No. 2 Hoosiers for the first time ever in Beaver Stadium in the final minute on two remarkable catches — the second a miraculous toe-tapping touchdown.
Here are your grades after Penn State’s sixth straight defeat — a killer 27-24 loss at the very end.
Offense: B
Finally, Ethan Grunkeyemer completed a downfield pass early in the game, and that 43-yarder to Trebor Pena led to a tying touchdown.
Things started slowly again (Grunkemeyer’s first eight completions still only netted 67 yards) but they pushed the Hoosiers just enough through the air and finally cracked them.
Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen were finally able to plow through an opponent in the second half like we figured would happen all season long. It just wasn’t quite enough.
Defense: B+
Like the offense, this group was up-and-down early but built its strength as it went.
Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton gave his best performance off the edge since early September, King Mack made a game-turning interception and they gained confidence as the second half wore on.
Much more aggression around scrimmage produced six first-half tackles for loss against a team giving up barely three a game.
Special teams: B+
Yet another solid effort from punter Gabe Nwosu and surprisingly enough, a fairly productive return game.
The most consistent part of the Lions’ season, outside of the debacle at UCLA.
Coaching: B+
Terry Smith’s staff kept the Lions fighting in their first game in Beaver Stadium without former head coach James Franklin.
And that effort and perseverance and even patience almost paid off in a signature victory.
Grunkemeyer and Singleton and the offense didn’t dominate early but kept poised and the game plan running until things finally broke in their favor.
Overall: A-
A near-victory over the nation’s No. 2 team signaled improvement and significant heart, despite the outcome.
Finally, Penn State took advantage of opportunities earned, gained confidence and did not relent.
The Lions and Grunkemeyer (22-of-31, 219 yards, touchdown) found themselves in a big way on a day in which they probably deserved better.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Penn State football report card in loss vs Indiana Hoosiers in Big Ten
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