Penn State defensive tackle Dvon Ellies (91) reacts after taking Indiana quarterback Jack Tuttle (14) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
There have been plenty of Penn State teams — some good, some not — that have gone to Indiana and struggled.
In 24 games against the Hoosiers, Penn State has a victory margin of 21.3 points at Beaver Stadium and is 12-0, but in Bloomington, the Nittany Lions are 9-2 but with a victory margin of 7.3.
That includes a 3-2 record in the last five trips and a victory margin of 0.8 points.
Turns out the venue didn’t matter this time as the Lions left no doubt, running off 38 unanswered points and breezing to a 45-14 win at atmosphere-less Memorial Stadium.
“I’m happy with how we played,” James Franklin said. “It’s something to build on.”
Penn State improved to 7-2 overall and 4-2 in the Big Ten and, most importantly, came back strong after last week’s emotionally draining loss to Ohio State.
The Lions turned in a suffocating defensive effort, highlighted by a school-record 16 tackles for loss, and were without three starters on the offensive line, which they adequately replaced.
They stuck with starter Sean Clifford and eventually mixed in anticipated freshman backup Drew Allar, who left all those calling for him wanting more.
Clifford was 15-of-23 for 229 yards, no touchdowns and one interception while Allar was 9 of 12 for 75 yards and two touchdowns — one a 1-yard laser off a rollout to Harrison Wallace that showed arm strength and pinpoint accuracy.
“Nothing changed,” Franklin said to the quarterback position and later brought some levity.
“I’m looking forward to getting on the bus and watching tape, and get on the plane and watch the tape, and then get together with you guys (media) Tuesday. I can’t wait to see what subject matter can get back to the quarterback position.”
While most weren’t surprised Clifford remained QB1, it took longer than expected to see Allar. Clearly, Franklin was showing that while he says he wants to play Allar, this not a rotation.
After trading touchdowns early and extending the PSU lead to 21-7 with 5:04 left in the second quarter, it was a perfect opportunity for meaningful time that wasn’t with a four-score lead.
Instead, out came Clifford, who also started the second half with a 24-7 lead (after Jake Pinegar’s 50-yard field goal) and not until the Lions’ swelled the lead to 31-7 did Allar enter with 2:52 left in the third quarter.
“Part of the plan was to get Drew as many reps as we can,” Franklin said. “Sean did some good things. The one interception we have to get rid of. He does what he always does, managing the protections and the checks in the run game. And then Drew got a couple series with the ones (first-team) and then late in the game, it was against the twos so you’re not comparing apples to apples.”
I’d like the opinion of the folks at the Way Fruit Farm on this.
Franklin knows the vast majority of PSU followers want to see more of Allar in preparation for the future, but he added, “People have strong opinions, and they only have 1 percent of the information,” meaning, presumably, practice data.
From the data we can digest – watching Clifford during games for four years — Allar could/should have started the second half or at least gotten the second (not the third) series of the third quarter, but Franklin is being paid — we all sure know that — to make the decisions.
So expect this pattern to continue.
Really, the way things unfolded against Indiana, the Lions could have won with Franklin at quarterback.
The Hoosiers could neither stop the Nittany Lions’ ground game, led by Kaytron Allen (158 yards on 20 touches), protect or move the ball.
By the end of the first half, IU was averaging -0.6 yards per rush and punted five straight times. Three of its six series went for negative yardage.
The Hoosiers have lost six straight, and things are so dire that IU’s starting quarterback Saturday, Jack Tuttle, is actually in the transfer portal. And he got hurt.
Obviously, let’s not put too much stock in this win.
Penn State will likely be favored by double-digits for its remaining three games – Maryland on Saturday (3:30 p.m., Fox), at Rutgers and vs. Michigan State.
And, to Franklin’s point of wanting to win “a bunch of games” as the priority over looking too far ahead, this is when it could get interesting.
With name-brand teams like Alabama and Clemson losing on Saturday night, and Notre Dame playing itself into the mix, a 10-2 Penn State will be mighty attractive to the bowl people.
If not in a New Year’s Six Bowl, can you picture the Lions vs. Alabama in the Citrus? Franklin vs. Nick Saban (and Bill O’Brien)?
Such a scenario – or something similar – would give Penn State one more opportunity for a marquee victory in 2022.
And real momentum for 2023.
Neil Rudel covers Penn State football and can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.
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