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Preview: #18 Penn State (8-2, 4-2) vs. Indiana (4-6, 1-5)
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Sean Lee (45) and Penn State look to be keep a handle on Indiana this week.
(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
What to Know
- WHEN: November 14, 2009
WHERE: Beaver Stadium (108,000 - sold out)
KICKOFF: 12:00 pm EST
TV: Big Ten Network
RADIO: PSU Sports Network (over 60 stations)
WEB STREAM: www.GoPSUSports.com - Series: Penn State leads 12-0
- Last meeting: Penn State 34, Indiana 7
(2008) - Last Week: PSU 7, Ohio State 24
Indiana 28, Wisconsin 31 - Game notes: PSU | Indiana
- 2009 Penn State preview: Indiana
- Indiana may be just the medicine for Penn State
- Previewing Indiana with Examiner Brandon Moore
- Big Ten Examiner Round Table
- Indiana Examiner - Brandon Moore
- Weather Forecast
- Twitter
Supplemental Links
- Philly.com, Joe Juliano - Last home game for players who helped turn Lions
- Centre Daily Times, Jeff Rice - Reserve Mauti exemplifies love of the game
- The Daily Collegian, Matt Fortuna - Penn State looks for special teams answers
LIVE BLOG NOTICE
With two games remaining on the 2009 football schedule Penn State (8-2, 4-2 Big Ten) still has something to play for. A New Year's Day bowl game is still something to shoot for and it is within grasp for the Nittany Lions.
This week Penn State can take the next step in accomplishing a ten win season as they take on Indiana (4-6, 1-5). If history has anything to say about this match-up, Penn State fans can chalk up a victory on Saturday. Penn State leads the all-time series 12-0, with the first win coming in 1993 when Penn State joined the Big Ten.
Penn State will look to rebound from a demoralizing loss at home against Ohio State. They will need the offense to get back on track against an Indiana defense that has been giving up massive amounts of yards this season. Daryll Clark should be able to exploit the weak Indiana pass defense and the running game should find a way to keep the ball moving on the ground. Indiana has played tough against most of their opponents this season, but there is a reason Indiana is 1-5 in the Big Ten. It is certainly not for a lack of effort.
The Hoosiers, playing the traditional underdog role all year, has been the victim of some questionable officiating this season in games at Michigan and Iowa. Quarterback Ben Chappell leads the way for the Indiana offense at quarterback. Chappell has thrown for 2,377 yards and 13 touchdowns, but has also been intercepted 12 times.
The main target for Chappell is wide receiver Tandon Doss, who has totaled 843 yards and caught four touchdown passes this season. Running back Darius Willis has fewer than 500 yards rushing but has scored six touchdowns, one more than Penn State's Evan Royster.
This will be the final game played in Beaver Stadium by 18 senior players. The last time Penn State lost their final home game of the season was 1999, when Michigan spoiled the day with a 31-27 victory.
For Penn State a BCS game may be out of reach but a trip to Florida looks promising. The most likely destination right now appears to be the Outback Bowl. The Big Ten champion will head to the Rose Bowl, which will likely be the winner of Saturday's Ohio State-Iowa game. The first runner-up, which will likely be the loser of that game, would likely head to the Capital One Bowl, thereby leaving the Outback Bowl ready to take the third best Big Ten team. Sure, the BCS could still fall into place for Penn state but the combination of events that need to happen in the next few weeks looks to be near impossible for Penn State. Do you believe in miracles?
Brushing the Lion's mouth clean of a bitter taste
Last week's game was ugly for Penn State. A second home loss this season against the top competition on the schedule is enough to leave a bitter taste in the mouth of Penn State's football players, so this week looks to be a good opportunity to pick up the pace.
After losing earlier this season at home to Iowa the Nittany Lions rebounded for a big win the following week at Illinois. Penn State dominated the over-matched Illini in the game and had a field day on the ground as Royster and Green each werenot over 100 yards rushing and Daryll Clark scored a pair of rushing touchdowns himself.
Penn State has won all 12 meetings in the series against Indiana.
Three Keys
- Seniors lead the way. Look for Daryll Clark to lead the way on offense with a big game through the air. On defense look for Sean Lee to rack up double digit tackles. With 18 seniors playing their final game in Beaver Stadium each will be looking to come up with a big play. Clark and Lee, the co-captains of the team, will set the tone early for the rest of the departing seniors.
- One last huzzah for Royster and Bowman? In addition to the seniors there are questions surrounding a pair of juniors on Penn State. Both Evan Royster and Navorro Bowman could make a decision to leave early in hopes of reaching the NFL. If that is true then each of these players will want to make a splash in this game as well.
- Special teams. In each of Penn State's losses this season the special teams has been a major factor in the outcome of the game and the momentum swing. Iowa blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown to reverse the fortunes in the first Penn State loss. Ohio State last week returned an early punt to inside the ten yard line to set up a quick touchdown to take the Beaver Stadium crowd out of the game before finishing their first hot dog. For Penn State to avoid any possible upset bid by Indiana they will need a solid performance out of the special teams unit in order to keep the Hoosiers form establishing any good field position.
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Stephfon Green returns to action
It should be of little surprise to see fewer names on the depth chart this weekend as it is the final home game of the season. The good news is running back Stephfon Green is officially off the injury report and figures to be the primary backup and alternative for Royster.
Below is an updated depth chart for this weekend's game.
Video Preview and Prediction
Television Coverage
The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. To find out if the game is on, and what channel, use the Big Ten Network's game finder. In addition there will be a live blog conducted right here (and on NittanyWhiteOut.com) for the game. Stop by and share your thoughts on the game as the action plays out.
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For more Penn State coverage head to Nittany White Out.
Read more from Kevin at his personal blog, Ramblings.
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