Penn State needed a win this weekend and although things didn’t look good at points on Saturday, the Nittany Lions posted a 41-24 win over Indiana on Saturday at FedEx Field in Maryland. Although the game was technically a home tilt for the Hoosiers, there were more Penn State fans in the house. Even during a sub-par year, Lion fans turned out in droves to support the blue and white.
In today’s edition of Morelli OnLion, we’ll take a look back at the 17-point win over the Hoosiers. We’ll also look ahead to this week’s season finale with Michigan State at Beaver Stadium.
Let’s start with the big win.
Holdin’ off the Hoosiers
Penn State got all it could handle from an upstart Indiana squad that entered the game clinging to slim bowl hopes. Although Penn State (7-4 overall, 4-3 Big Ten) never trailed in the contest, the game was knotted at 24-24 before a special teams play swung momentum of the game. James Van Fleet scooped up a blocked punt and returned it 21 yards for a score that put the Nittany Lions ahead for good.
If the Lions don’t score on that play, the game might have had a different outcome.
Van Fleet didn’t realize just how big the play was.
“I really haven’t thought about it too much yet,” Van Fleet said. “I’m sure it might sink in once I get to watch it on film and talk to my family and stuff.”
Van Fleet’s effort impressed coach Joe Paterno.
“Van Fleet is a good prospect,” Paterno said following his 401st victory. “He does a lot of things well. We’ve been very lucky and fortunate that we have a lot of kids like Van Fleet.”
In addition to the huge special teams play, Penn State got another solid outing from former walk-on QB Matt McGloin. He completed 22-of-31 passes for 315 yards and two touchdowns. He did not throw an interception as he bounced back from a horrific afternoon in Columbus just over a week ago.
“That’s a game you’d like to forget,” McGloin said. “The quarterback has a short memory, so I don’t even remember that game right now.”
Penn State has won three of its past four and now faces a big challenge in the form of Michigan State, a team that still has hopes of capturing the conference crown.
Paterno believes his team is still improving as it closes out the regular season.
“We’ve got a long way to go,” he said. “How good do you want to be? We’re getting better.”
On Saturday, the Lions will finally find out just how good they are.
Two-Minute Drill: Indiana
Game Ball To … Matt McGloin
The former walk-on continues to impress. He was nearly flawless on Saturday. He tossed a pair of touchdowns, including a 3-yarder to Brett Brackett and a 21-yarder to Derek Moye. He’ll need to have another non-walk-on like performance if the Lions are to upset Sparty.
What Was He Thinking? … IU punter Chris Hagerup
Hagerup didn’t get rid of the ball fast enough on the blocked punt that totally swung momentum of the game. While the snap was bad, Hagerup has to pull that ball down and run or try to punt from a different locale on the field. Instead, he tried to force the punt and Andrew Dailey got a clean block. Van Fleet’s subsequent 21-yard return gave the Lions a boost as they rolled to a 17-point victory.
Numerology … 36:59
Penn State possessed the ball for nearly 37 minutes in the game. They kept the ball away from dangerous QB Ben Chappell and wideout Tandon Doss. That, as it turned out, was huge.
Play of the Game … What else? We have to go with Van Fleet’s 21-yard return for a score. The play sparked the Lions. A Collin Wagner field goal would put the game out of reach, 34-24.
The Countdown
5. Nate Stupar – The State College Area High School product racked up 10 tackles, including a 4-yard loss. He nearly returned a fumble for a score as well.
4. Derek Moye – The wideout had a big afternoon, catching six balls for 90 yards and a score. He stepped up when the Nittany Lions needed it most.
3. Brett Brackett – While he didn’t have as big of an afternoon as Moye, Brackett had a solid day as well. He hauled in five catches for 66 yards and a score.
2. Drew Astorino – The safety had a key interception of Chappell that helped salt the game away for the Lions.
1. James Van Fleet – The Pennsylvania product was an unlikely hero, but that’s exactly what he was. His unlikely return of a blocked punt was the biggest play of the game.
Next Up: Michigan State
Penn State faces a tough task in Saturday’s season finale with the Spartans. Michigan State came from behind on Saturday to knock off Purdue, 35-31. A win over the Spartans would push the Lions to 8-4 and almost certainly a date in a big New Year’s Day bowl game. Penn State will need a big day from all-time leading rusher Evan Royster on Senior Day. It says here that Royster will get his yards, but the Lions won’t get the win.
Gantdaily.com prediction: Michigan State 34, Penn State 21.
Chris Morelli is an award-winning writer/editor who lives in Centre County and covers Penn State athletics. He is also a regular on “Sports Central,” which airs on ESPN Radio in Altoona and State College. E-mail him at morellionlion@gmail.com. Also, be sure to check out Morelli OnLion on Facebook!