Gameday Observations: Indiana

Penn State soccer is coming residence with a surgical win over Indiana.

The sport featured some thrilling play from younger stars like Kaytron Allen and Drew Allar, however the actual pleasure was what went down in and round Memorial Stadium this weekend.

Between a loud cannon, a well-known pylon, a phenomenal campus, and a disastrous motel scenario, our journey to Bloomington positive was fascinating.

Bloomington Is…Superior?

The perfect a part of road-tripping to away video games is getting to take in the cultures and faculty cities of different Large Ten faculties. We spent some important time in Bloomington and on Indiana’s campus each Friday and Saturday, and it was arduous to not be impressed

Indiana’s campus is gorgeous and was exhibiting off some enjoyable colours regardless of being previous peak fall foliage season. The buildings had been uniform, benches and gazebos lined the walkways, and bushes had been considerable. I’d love to come back again and spend some extra time right here.

Downtown Bloomington differs from State Faculty in that city begins on the west finish of campus and is laid out vertically. It appeared like mainly everybody was attending to downtown by way of the long-lasting Pattern Gates, which served as an entrance to campus on the west finish, whereas downtown State Faculty traces campus horizontally to the south.

There was a university downtown space with bars, eating places, espresso outlets, and shops, just like State Faculty. After which, a number of blocks away, there was a further strip of nightlife close to the courthouse, which appeared extra geared towards adults.

Oh, and there was a rooftop bar actually known as “the upstairs pub.” It’s like they had been rubbing in State Faculty’s lack of vertical consuming institutions.

It’s A Blustery Day, James

The excessive winds and damp forecast had been an enormous story heading into the matchup. The Nationwide Climate Service predicted wind speeds between 20 and 30 mph with gusts as much as 50 mph on the day. Indiana soccer even banned unattended tents from the tailgating tons.

The rain ended up holding off through the recreation, and the wind didn’t find yourself being an enormous issue down on the sphere, which James Franklin admitted after the sport. However, it was completely whipping from the higher ranges of Memorial Stadium.

Poor Attendance, Poor Ambiance

While you’re used to 107K+ at each residence recreation, this was a shocker. Attendance was reported at 45,142 (86%), which was extremely inaccurate. Tickets had been lower than $5 simply earlier than kick. Vibes peaked through the first quarter, however pregame and after halftime obtained ugly.

It was virtually harking back to the final time Penn State performed at Memorial Stadium, which was through the COVID-19 pandemic when solely households had been permitted. It was powerful to see after the Nittany Lions’ different away video games had been nice environments at Purdue, Auburn, and Michigan. The climate didn’t assist.

There Was A Very Loud Cannon On The Subject

Apparently, this occurs at each Indiana recreation, however I used to be not ready. After the Hoosiers scored their first landing, an extremely loud clean cannon blast went off. Members of the college’s Military ROTC guarded and manned this massive boy named “Large Jake.”

The primary blast was surprising. However, by the point Indiana scored once more within the fourth quarter, I had fully forgotten about it. So, I used to be in for a shock once more. However then Large Jake went off a 3rd time when the sport was over. No higher strategy to rejoice a 45-14 defeat than firing heavy artillery, I assume. Simply not a cannon man.

Pat Kraft was standing on the sideline and was additionally Large Stunned by Large Jake. That’s one strategy to welcome you to Bloomington.

Memorial Stadium Impresses

Attendance wasn’t superb, however Memorial Stadium was very cool. Indiana has clearly put loads of effort into conserving a uniform limestone look throughout its athletics advanced, and it paid off. The place had loads of allure and the soccer services inside the stadium had been way more trendy and spectacular than Beaver Stadium.

Shirtless Lads Make The Most Of The Loss

Typically there are 50 mph gusts of wind and your soccer staff is dropping by 30 factors. When that occurs, typically the one subsequent plan of action is to take your shirt off, I assume.

Stunning sundown, by the best way.

We Found The Worst Motel In America

The proprietor of this unnamed motel was truly extremely type and useful and ended up reserving us an evening at a unique lodging institution. However, someway, a mysterious brown substance appeared in our bathe after we went out for the night time on Friday. I’m probably not positive if I need to get into it greater than that. I don’t have the solutions, both.

It’s a disgrace as a result of I actually favored the place earlier than that. Economical. Nice location. Enjoyable-colored sheets. However the toilet debacle ruined issues. We brushed our enamel exterior and obtained out of there Saturday morning.

Revenge Of The Pylon

No additional questions, your honor.