Nittany Lions hold off Hoosiers to stop skid

Penn State 33, Indiana 28

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Trace McSorley passed for 220 yards, ran for 107 and had a hand in three touchdowns in No. 18 Penn State’s 33-28 victory over Indiana on Saturday.

Penn State (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) rallied to snap a two-game losing streak after Indiana (4-4, 1-4) took a 21-20 lead in the third quarter on Steve Scott’s 3-yard touchdown run.

Johnathan Thomas took the ensuing kickoff back to the Indiana 5, setting up McSorley for the goahead touchdown on the next play.

Brandon Wilson partially blocked the extra point, leaving Penn State’s lead at 26-21. Indiana forced Penn State to punt on the Nittany Lions’ next drive, but J-Shun Harris fumbled the punt return and turned the ball over. Five plays later, McSorley nearly walked into the end zone to make it 33-21 lead.

“Every time it seemed like we had the game in control and were able to put them away, they would battle back,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. “We’ll take this win, go back and watch the film, make corrections and get better.”

The Hoosiers added a late touchdown Peyton Ramsey’s 21-yard pass to Harris, and recovered an onside kick. Michael Penix and Ramsey split snaps for the Hoosiers, combining for 330 passing yards and a touchdown. Scott led Indiana in rushing with 138 yards and two touchdowns.

“Just a gut-wrenching loss for our team today. I thought our kids played their hearts out,” Indiana coach Tom Allen said. “Proud of the effort. Just have to play better in certain situations and times, in critical moments.”

Miles Sanders ran for 72 yards and a touchdown for Penn State.