NO. 10 INDIANA LOSES QB PENIX FOR YEAR

Coach Tom Allen believes Michael Penix Jr. would do anything to keep No. 10 Indiana’s magical season intact.

Even if that means spending the final month of the season working from the sideline. Again.

On Monday, Allen announced the Hoosiers starting quarterback suffered a seasonending torn anterior cruciate ligament, marking the second time in three years he’s injured the right knee. Redshirt sophomore Jack Tuttle, who started his career at Utah, replaced Penix during Saturday’s victory over Maryland and now steps into the leading role for one of the nation’s most surprising teams.

“What do you say? It’s tough,“Allen said. “It’s discouraging, it’s disheartening when it first happens and then you have to fight. Michael has some bigtime, long-term goals and it’s going to create more character and more resolve inside of him.“

Penix did not take questions as he normally does Monday

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Penix leads the Big Ten in completions (124), yards passing (1,645) and touchdown passes (14), is fourth in quarterback efficiency (138.5) and his four interceptions are the fewest among any QB with five or more starts.

Penix’s breakout performance came two weeks ago at Ohio State when he was 27 of 51 with 491 yards, five touchdowns and one interception, leading the Hoosiers back from a 28-7 halftime deficit. Ohio State held on for a 42-35 victory, a game that turned Indiana doubters into believers — at least until Penix was chased out of bounds in the third quarter Saturday.

He stayed on the ground for several minutes as players walked down the sideline to gather around. When Penix finally did get up, he couldn’t put any weight on the leg.

Minnesota cancels game

Minnesota announced it has called off this weekend’s game against No. 16 Northwestern, the second straight cancellation for the Gophers due to a spike in COVID-19 cases within the program.

University officials made the decision in consultation with the Big Ten after seven additional positive cases were confirmed. The Wildcats, who lead the West Division by one game at 5-1, were scheduled to play Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium. Those Gophers who’ve contracted the virus have experienced “very, very mild symptoms,” according to coach P.J. Fleck.

College football is limping toward the postseason in late December as multiple programs deal with COVID-19 outbreaks and contact tracing protocols. Four games on this week’s schedule have been postponed or canceled. Over the last three weeks, 52 games have been called off because of COVID-19 issues out of 179 that were scheduled.

Notable

Alabama coach Nick Saban expects to be back on the sidelines Saturday at LSU after testing positive for COVID-19 last Wednesday and missing the game against Auburn..

Quarterback D’Wan Mathis, who opened the season as No. 11 Georgia’s starter, has entered the NCAA transfer portal after losing his job to JT Daniels.

Virginia Tech backup quarterback Quincy Patterson has decided to transfer.