Indiana triumphs but loses QB Penix
Stevie Scott III ran for three touchdowns, and No. 12 Indiana’s defense came up with three interceptions, three sacks and a safety in a 27- 11 victory Saturday against Maryland in Bloomington, Indiana.
The safety midway through the third quarter gave the Hoosiers ( 5- 1, 5- 1 Big Ten) a 9- 3 lead, and they extended their advantage to 17- 3 on the ensuing possession when Scott scored on a one- yard plunge and backup quarterback Jack Tuttle completed a twopoint conversion pass to tight end Peyton Hendershot. Tuttle also led Indiana to two fourth- quarter scores after replacing injured starter Michael Penix Jr.
Penix struggled before heading to the locker room with an injury to his lower right leg in the third quarter. He was 6- for- 19 for 84 yards before giving way to Tuttle, who completed all five of his passes for 31 yards. Coach Tom Allen said the Hoosiers would know more about Penix’s injury Monday.
Scott carried 24 times for 80 yards, and Tim Baldwin Jr. ran for 108 yards in his first significant action this season as Indiana rushed for a season- high 234 yards. Baldwin carried the ball 16 times after logging one carry in Indiana’s previous five games.
The Terrapins ( 2- 2, 2- 2) were playing for the first time since a 21- day break stemming from a COVID- 19 outbreak caused the cancellation of two games.
Penn State 27, Michigan 17
Sean Clifford threw for 163 yards and scored one of the Nittany Lions’ three rushing touchdowns, and Penn State ( 1- 5, 1- 5) finally broke its winless streak to start the season by defeating the Wolverines ( 2- 4, 2- 4) in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Keyvone Lee and Will Levis also ran for touchdowns for the Nittany Lions, who never
trailed in a matchup of proud programs that have struggled mightily in this pandemic- shortened season. Hassan Haskins ran for 101 yards and two touchdowns for Michigan.
It was the 899th victory for the Penn State program, but it had to wait awhile for this one. This was the first time the Nittany Lions had started 0- 5.
Rutgers 37, Purdue 30
Johnny Langan went 4- for- 4 for 95 yards, including a 62- yard touchdown pass to Kay’Ron Adams, and ran for 95 yards on 21 carries after taking over for Artur Sitkowski in the second half as the Scarlet Knights ( 2- 4, 2- 4) rallied past the Boilermakers ( 2- 3, 2- 3) in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Aron Cruickshank added a 100- yard kickoff return for a touchdown for Rutgers, which outscored Purdue 24- 7 after halftime. Jack Plummer threw for two touchdowns and ran for a third for the Boilermakers.
Minnesota COVID update
Minnesota announced 15 more positive COVID- 19 tests, bringing the total to 20 players and 20 staff members who have tested positive since Nov. 19. The Golden Gophers’ game Saturday against Wisconsin was canceled Monday, and their game next Saturday against Northwestern is in jeopardy.