Position Grades: Indiana

Quarterback: B+

It wasn’t a foul sport for Sean Clifford, however he’s had higher performances. Little doubt, he would really like that tipped interception again. Nonetheless, he completed with 15-of-23 for 229 yards earlier than Drew Allar changed him halfway via the third quarter, the place the much-hyped freshman put up a strong efficiency commanding the offense, and threw for 2 touchdowns, together with an unimaginable bullet to string the needle into Tre Wallace’s palms in the long run zone. Hopefully, we get to see Drew in motion when the sport’s consequence isn’t fully determined.

Operating Again: A

Did it really feel like Kaytron Allen ran for greater than 86 whole yards? As a result of it positive did to me. Nonetheless, Allen was Mr. Dependable as he persistently picked up sufficient yardage to maneuver the chains and end drives in the long run zone, garnering a hat trick of TD’s. He even caught a pair of passes for 72 yards. Nick Singleton additionally added 73 yards and a TD, himself. We even obtained to see a wholesome dose of Tank Smith later within the sport, which was good.

Extensive Receiver: B+

Mitchell Tinsley led the best way in yardage with 63 yards on 5 catches, whereas Parker Washington added 4 catches for 30 yards, however it was Wallace who had the unit’s lone TD seize.

Tight Finish: B+

Brenton Unusual made the most effective catch of the sport, reeling in a bullet from Cliff with a defender proper on high of him. Theo Johnson uncharacteristically dropped what would’ve been a walk-in TD move, although he did redeem himself later with a TD catch. Stable day of blocking and catching from the tight ends.

Offensive Line: A

For any group to overlook three offensive line starters and begin a real freshman within the course of would current a problem. Regardless of such challenges, the O-line was in a position to push Indiana’s defensive position round to provide the working backs holes to undergo and hold the QB’s upright for probably the most half. Shout-out to Drew Shelton on getting his first profession begin instead of Olu Fashanu (who we hope we haven’t seen for the final time in a Nittany Lion uniform already).

Defensive Line: A

Watching the D-line simply swallow Indiana’s O-line from the opening play was a sight to behold, accounting for 5 of PSU’s six whole sacks (all of which got here within the first half alone) and swallowing up the Hoosier run sport. Dani Dennis-Sutton additionally got here up with an interception. Penn State dominated this sport within the trenches on either side of the ball, and it was most evident with the D-line play.

Linebacker: A-

Abdul Carter was all over, per standard, even breaking apart a move. Kobe King in the meantime, led the complete protection in tackles with eight of them, together with 2.5 for a loss and had a QB hurry.

Secondary: A

Kalen King and Daequan Hardy each got here up with interceptions, with Hardy coming a couple of yards shy of a pick-six. Ji’Ayir Brown additionally got here up with a clutch blindside sack on Indiana QB Jack Tuttle to place the Hoosiers out of discipline objective vary and forestall them from profiting from glorious discipline place following Cliff’s interception.

Particular Groups: A

Barney Amor was strong per standard, averaging 47 yards on his 4 punts, together with a protracted of 51. Jake Pinegar additionally nailed a clutch 50-yard discipline objective proper earlier than halftime to place PSU up 24-7, which appeared like Mt. Everest for Indiana to need to climb, given how PSU’s protection was proudly owning them. Parker Washington additionally had a 19-yard return to arrange PSU with prime place inside Indiana territory, which led to a TD. Onerous to complain.