What an absolutely incredible play by Michael Penix for the win!
The ruling on the field stands: @IndianaFootball wins! 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/4wlgNWQv2Z
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 24, 2020
Football is a game of inches, and apparently Indiana quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had just enough of them for the win. On a run to the pylon in overtime against No. 8 Penn State, Penix and his outstretched arm lunged toward the end zone and just barely scored a two-point conversion to give the Hoosiers a dramatic 36-35 win. It marked the first victory for Indiana over a top 10 team ranked in the AP Top 25 since 1987, ending a 42-game losing streak.
The merits of the successful two-point conversion will be debated. Penix, scrambling to his left, dove towards the front pylon. The official nearest Penix ruled it was a touchdown, but further review showed the ball was awfully close to being down short of the goal line. The call on the field was upheld, likely due to inconclusive video evidence, and the Hoosiers were able to celebrate after coming up painfully short so many times before in similar games.
Whether it was the right call or not, Penix's effort has to be admired.
The ruling on the field stands: @IndianaFootball wins! 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/4wlgNWQv2Z
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 24, 2020
This was a back-and-forth game that took several turns within the final few minutes of the fourth quarter. Indiana led most of the afternoon with Penn State failing time and time again to finish drives with points. Down 20-14 with 2:30 remaining, however, quarterback Sean Clifford hit Jahan Dotson for a 60-yard touchdown pass to put the Nittany Lions up 21-20. The Hoosiers then went four-and-out on their next possession.
With 1:47 remaining, Penn State running back Devyn Ford took a handoff for a 14-yard touchdown. Indiana clearly allowed Ford to score, an observation he only realized once he broke the plane for the end zone. It's hard to blame Ford for doing what he would do any other time he touched the ball, but Penn State coaches had to be aware that Indiana would let them score as to get the ball back with time on the clock. If Ford had knelt it, Penn State should have been able to run out the clock. Penn State also elected not go for two after the touchdown, which could have put them up by nine points instead of eight.
Reminder that Penn State had the chance to run this clock out 😬pic.twitter.com/64n8sTNRE5
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 24, 2020
Instead, Indiana got one more crack at a touchdown, which they scored on a seven-play, 75-yard drive with 22 seconds left. But again, this is Indiana, so nothing is ever easy. The Hoosiers inexplicably squibbed the ensuing kickoff, allowing Penn State to set up a 57-yard field goal attempt with eight seconds left. Interestingly, coach James Franklin opted not to try one more play to potentially gain a few yards before trying the kick. As a result, the 57-yard attempt from Jordan Stout fell about 1 yard short.
😳 Penn State missed the game-winning field goal by THIS much pic.twitter.com/PmTKCJdEBl
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 24, 2020
Though Penn State struck first in overtime, it was Penix and Indiana who came out ahead on the final play. The two-point conversion will be a controversial call, but the reality is Penn State had its opportunities to put the game away late after taking the lead and did not. And now with Ohio State on the schedule for Halloween night, the Nittany Lions have to regroup quickly.
What an absolutely incredible play by Michael Penix for the win!
The ruling on the field stands: @IndianaFootball wins! 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/4wlgNWQv2Z
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 24, 2020
LIVE UPDATES: No. 8 Penn State 28; Indiana 28; OVERTIME https://t.co/zr9dUQ8enD #iufb
— Mike Pegram (@peegs) October 24, 2020
Hoosiers win the toss and will defend first.#IUFB 28, PSU 28 | OT
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) October 24, 2020
Regulation stats as we go to overtime. #iufb pic.twitter.com/VdMLipRSon
— Mike Pegram (@peegs) October 24, 2020
INDIANA DON'T QUIT 😱@IndianaFootball storms back, the 2-pt conversion is good and we've got OT in Bloomington! pic.twitter.com/sonUQH6Hjt
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 24, 2020
Time for extra football. #WeAre pic.twitter.com/FjZW8yKD42
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) October 24, 2020
Not done yet. #IUFB pic.twitter.com/4ZEGj28yGE
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) October 24, 2020
Penn State and Indiana will go to overtime tied at 28-28.
— Lions247 (@Lions247) October 24, 2020
Penn State and Indiana are headed to overtime, tied 28-28.
— Lions247 (@Lions247) October 24, 2020
Jordan Stout handles long-range field goal duties for Penn State.
— Tyler Donohue (@TDsTake) October 24, 2020
Whether you believe him or not, told us this week he can handle anything within 70 yards.
THE HOOSIERS TIE IT UP @IndianaFootball converts the 2-point conversion to tie it up late against Penn State pic.twitter.com/JhzRvyqz0n
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 24, 2020
Touchdown @IndianaFootball! 💪 pic.twitter.com/3L7v2u4WTy
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 24, 2020
WHAT A DRIVE!@themikepenix leads the Hoosiers down the field and caps it with a 1-yard TD run!
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) October 24, 2020
He then takes it himself for the two-point conversion!
WE. ARE. TIED.#IUFB 28, PSU 28 | 0:22 4Q pic.twitter.com/48EK7FTPuo
Touchdown, Indiana.
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) October 24, 2020
The conversion is good, and we're tied with 22 seconds to go. #WeAre
What a time to make your first career catch Jacolby Hewitt 🔥🔥🔥
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 24, 2020
He makes an absolute snag for @IndianaFootball pic.twitter.com/pffJ9e14E9
🙌 @PennStateFball takes the lead!!@seancliff14 finds @H55ZY to put the Nittany Lions out in front with just over 2 minutes left to play pic.twitter.com/4ngUPNhZfK
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 24, 2020
Devyn Ford (@TsunamiFord) ➡️ TD!
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) October 24, 2020
Penn State leads 28-20 late in Q4.#WeAre pic.twitter.com/lIKW6PCH8m
Shaka Toney: The Hoosier-killer.
— Tyler Donohue (@TDsTake) October 24, 2020
Make that 3️⃣! #WeAre https://t.co/rrIRplq68m
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) October 24, 2020
You can't stop SHAKA TONEY (@SackA_Toney)!
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) October 24, 2020
✌️ BIG time plays.#WeAre pic.twitter.com/h2d42WdRXP
Check out how that big time drive came together! #WeAre pic.twitter.com/J9i8kxkOHg
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) October 24, 2020
TOUCHDOWN, Penn State! Sean Clifford climbs the pocket and hits Jahan Dotson for a 60-yard touchdown pass to go ahead 21-20 with 2:30 left in the game.
— Lions247 (@Lions247) October 24, 2020
Penn State takes the lead.
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) October 24, 2020
PSU 21, #IUFB 20 | 2:30 4Q
Clifford goes DEEP to Jahan Dotson (@H55ZY) for 6️⃣!#WeAre pic.twitter.com/lZ2Nt03OxY
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) October 24, 2020
The drive stays alive! #WeAre pic.twitter.com/DzuyEXRgdc
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) October 24, 2020
What. A. Stop. 😤
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 24, 2020
The @IndianaFootball defense comes up with a huge stand on 4th & 1 pic.twitter.com/QmYvjb9eY8
Re-rack 'em. #WeAre pic.twitter.com/vesZypI48U
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) October 24, 2020
💪 💪 4TH DOWN STOP 💪 💪
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) October 24, 2020
Hoosiers stuff Penn State on 4th and 1!#IUFB 20, PSU 14 | 4:55 4Q pic.twitter.com/wscx2KERc7
Three up. Three down.
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) October 24, 2020
Our turn on offense. #WeAre pic.twitter.com/RFU12XZ9GF
MONSTER play from @iam_djm25 as he gets the sack to force the Penn State punt!#IUFB 20, PSU 14 | 9:19 4Q pic.twitter.com/mChc2ZPjbO
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) October 24, 2020