IU loses 16-10 to Penn State

A first quarter lead and a fast-paced fourth quarter comeback attempt were not enough for the Hoosiers in Saturday’s Big Ten opener as IU fell to Penn State 16-10.

A deep pass from sophomore quarterback Dusty Kiel on the final play was nearly caught in a mob of players from both teams a few yards short of the end zone.

After a tie at the half, the Nittany Lions took the lead on a 27-yard field goal less than two minutes into the second half.

Matt McGloin found Penn State’s top receiver, Derek Moye, open for a 74-yard breakaway touchdown to give Penn State the two-score lead.

IU’s lone score came on a 49-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Mitch Ewald in the first quarter. The score culminated a drive that began with redshirt freshman safety Forisse Hardin’s interception deep in Hoosier territory.

It was not the only turnover in IU’s favor in the opening quarter, as an IU punt touched a Penn State player, was not caught, and subsequently was recovered by the Hoosiers. IU did not capitalize on the recovery with a score, though.

Penn State evened the score with a short field goal from IU’s five yard line with 2:57 remaining in the half, then soon followed up with a takeaway of their own, interception sophomore quarterback Dusty Kiel.

The Nittany Lions attempted to take the lead with a 52-yard field goal as time expired in the half, but it was short.

They tacked on a fourth quarter field goal for a 13-point lead before IU stormed back with their own scoring drive that culminated in a touchdown pass to Ted Bolser.

Hardin was one of several new starters for IU. His brother, true freshman Drew Hardin, also started at safety, while true freshman Bobby Richardson started at defensive end and true freshman Mark Murphy, recently converted from safety, got the start at linebacker. He played both positions Saturday.