Offense leads IU to win against Penn State

IU carried a narrow four-point lead going into the fourth quarter against Penn State Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

That would quickly grow.

IU tacked on 23 points in the fourth quarter to beat Penn State for the first time in program history, winning 44-24.

“We didn’t do this for just us,” junior cornerback Tim Bennett said. “We did it for the past Indiana teams that never beat Penn State.”

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, sophomore quarterback Tre Roberson plunged into the end zone, giving IU a 28-17 lead.

After Penn State failed to convert on fourth down, IU took over on downs from the Penn State 33-yard line.

Two plays later, sophomore quarterback Nate Sudfeld  found senior receiver Kofi Hughes, who made the sliding 36-yard touchdown catch.

On the ensuing kickoff, junior wide receiver Cody Latimer recovered the fumble.
It took one play for the Hoosiers to capitalize.

Roberson scampered to the left and found an opening. He extended the ball and high stepped into the end zone for the 9-yard touchdown run.

The result was imminent, and the sideline erupted along with the stands.

The 21 unanswered points to start the fourth quarter helped IU (3-2, 1-0) secure the  victory against Penn State (3-2, 0-1).

The 23 fourth quarter points the Hoosiers scored is the most fourth quarter points for an IU team in 23 years.

When sophomore cornerback Michael Hunter was asked if this was the biggest victory of his career, he responded, “Yes sir, definitely. And I think there’s more to come.”

The win marked the first time IU has won its Big Ten opener since 2000.

After the game, the IU players ran to the east end of the sideline. They raised their helmets up and sang the IU fight song along with the student section.

Players and IU Coach Kevin Wilson said that’s where the celebration stopped.

“I don’t think our kids were smiling on the sideline or celebrating,” Wilson said. “They weren’t going crazy in the locker room.”

The IU secondary couldn’t contain Penn State receiver Allen Robinson. He caught 12 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns.

Robinson’s 12 catches were the second most in Penn State’s history.

“We went back and forth today,” Bennett said. “He’s a very good wide receiver. He’s going to be in the NFL in the near future.”

Robinson wasn’t the only Nittany Lion setting records. Freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg was 30-55 for 340 yards and three touchdowns. His 55 pass attempts are a new Penn State record.

Despite offensive proficiency, Penn State Coach Bill O’Brien wasn’t impressed.

“We didn’t play well, didn’t coach well,” he said. “And we have a long way to go.”

After throwing for 321 yards and two touchdowns, Sudfeld is now tied for 10th all-time in career touchdown passes at IU with 20.

“Coach always said this 2013 Indiana team has never lost to this 2013 Penn State team and vice versa,” Sudfeld said.

Follow reporter Evan Hoopfer on Twitter @EvanHoopfer.