No. 8 Nittany Lions eager for Big Ten opener at Indiana
Line: Penn State by 51⁄2.
Series record: Penn State leads 22-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
If the Nittany Lionswant towin a Big Ten title they can’t get derailed inWeek 1. While Penn State has dominated the series on paper, the Hoosiers have been competitive the last two years, falling 34-27 on the road last year and 33-28at home in 2018. Indiana is seeking a signature win against a top-10foe following this unusual offseason. KEY MATCHUP
Penn State QB Sean Clifford vs. Indiana run defense. The Hoosiers remember how close they were to pulling the upset following an early fourth-quarter TD, cutting the deficit to 27-24. Clifford promptly took control with his feet, making play after play on a game-sealing touchdown drive that lasted 9minutes, 1second. Indiana has been reliving those frustrations since the revised schedule came out.
PLAYERS TOWATCH
Penn State: RBs Noah Cain and Devyn Ford. The two sophomores may be forced into duty Saturday if incumbent starter Journey Brown cannot play. Coach James Franklin announced Monday that Brown, last season’s top runner, could miss the season with an undisclosed medical condition. If Brown doesn’t play Saturday, it will put pressure on Cain and Ford to deliver a solid one-two punch.
Indiana: QB Michael Penix Jr. After injuries shortened his first two college seasons, Penix has added 16pounds in hopes of staying healthy. His first big test comes against a defense that finished last season ranked seventh in the Big Ten in yards allowed per game (324.2) and third in points allowed per game (16.0).
FACTS & FIGURES
The Nittany Lions won 11games last season, the third time they’ve achieved that feat in four years. ... Indiana is coming off its first eight-win season since 1993. ... Penn State enters this season on a two-game winning streak and has won three of its last four. ... The Hoosiers’ last win over a top-10teamwas a 31-10blowout Oct. 10, 1987at Ohio State. ... Nittany Lions TE Pat Freiermuth needs 125 yards to reach 1,000in his career. Clifford needs 151yards passing to reach 3,000. ... Indiana coach Tom Allen has 18wins, the most in school history over his first three seasons. ... Both teams will debut new offensive coordinators.