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Tale of the Tape: Indiana offense vs. Penn State defense

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Tale of the Tape: Indiana offense vs. Penn State defense


Curt Cignetti completely reloaded the offense to make it even better in his second season at Indiana. With Fernando Mendoza at the helm, Indiana is flourishing not only in the passing game but also in the running game. Penn State has struggled on defense, and was gashed by one of the best offenses last week in Ohio State.

Facing another top offense in the country, the Nittany Lions will have their hands full facing some high-end talent at all aspects of the Indiana offense.

Can Penn State’s defense slow down the best offense in the country or will Indiana continue to run through teams?

All rankings and stats are from CFBStats.com

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Passing yards per game

  • Indiana offense: 259.2 ypg (33rd in nation)
  • Penn State defense: 166.4 ypg (16th)

Mendoza is one of the favorites for the Heisman trophy. Just because the numbers aren’t quite there, doesn’t mean it’s bad. Mendoza is doing exactly what he needs to, making every throw in the book. In his last two games, his passing numbers have gone down, but the Hoosiers haven’t needed him. Against a top pass defense on paper, Mendoza will rely on his receivers, who could open the game up like Ohio State’s did last season.

A.J. Harris and Zakee Wheatley will have to step up to limit receivers like Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. If Mendoza finds them early, it could be game over before halftime.

Passing yards per attempt

  • Indiana offense: 9.4 ypa (8th)
  • Penn State defense: 6.4 ypa (32nd)

Similar numbers to the per-game numbers at passing. Indiana gets almost a first down every single pass attempt on average. Mendoza relies on Cooper and Sarratt, who both have made plays. Penn State’s secondary has shown to struggle against better receivers and could struggle again against the Indiana duo.

The top three receivers all average over 10 yards per catch and the big play ability is something that is heavily in Indiana’s playbook. Similar game plans could be implemented as it was against Ohio State, despite the lack of stopping the big play.

Rushing yards per game

  • Indiana offense: 245.67 ypg (6th)
  • Penn State defense: 159.38 ypg (90th)

Indiana has one of the best running games in the country. Mix that with Penn State’s struggling rush defense and it’s potential disaster for the blue and white. The running game has to be limited if the Nittany Lions want any chance in the game. However, the Hoosiers could continue to ride the running game and roll to a victory fairly easily.

Zane Durant and Dani Dennis-Sutton are two names on Penn State’s defensive line that need to step up. For Indiana, Kaelon Black leads the way with 619 yards. However, the team utilizes a committee style with the top three rushers having four or more touchdowns.

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Rushing yards per attempt

  • Indiana offense: 5.74 ypa (10th)
  • Penn State defense: 4.18 ypa (77th)

Black and Khobie Martin are both averaging over six yards per rush. Based on prior matchups, they are in for a monster day, making it easier for Mendoza and the pass game. Black’s 6.4 ypa with a long of 40 yards will give issues for Penn State. Martin one-ups him with 7.2 ypa, both holding the capability of a big run.

Amare Campbell will need to continue to step up in the absence of Tony Rojas. If another linebacker emerges the running game could be limited. However, Penn State hasn’t shown anyone in that position that can step up, which could show what is to come against the Hoosiers.

Points per game

  • Indiana offense: 46.4 ppg (1st)
  • Penn State defense: 21.8 ppg (41st)

If the game goes off the stats, Indiana will score around 35 points. However, that number could absolutely be higher as Ohio State put up 38 points and had most of them with plenty of time to spare. Indiana can score quick or it can take its time to get down the field. No matter what, it’s successful as Cignetti just continues to win at a program that had little success.

Penn State will need to do whatever it can to keep the ball away from this high-powered offense. If it limits possessions, the Nittany Lions could have a chance, but the offense has had so much success that it may not even matter.



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Indiana

New judge lifts order blocking absentee ballots in Indiana Senate primary

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New judge lifts order blocking absentee ballots in Indiana Senate primary


(INDIANA CAPITAL CHRONICLE) — A special judge on Friday lifted an order blocking officials in three western Indiana counties from mailing absentee ballots in a Republican primary where President Donald Trump has endorsed a challenger to state Sen. Greg Goode.

Putnam County Superior Court Judge Charles Bridges took the step the same day he took over the dispute involving whether one of two women with the last name Wilson who filed to run against Goode in the primary should be removed from the primary ballot because of a 2010 criminal conviction.

The original judge on Wednesday had ordered the county clerks in Vigo, Clay and Sullivan counties to hold off on distributing absentee ballots involving the Republican Senate District 38 race.

Under state law, county election offices must start mailing requested absentee ballots on Saturday ahead of the May 5 primary.

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Friday’s order from Bridges said that delaying those ballots would violate federal law and that the county court couldn’t prevent the clerks “from fulfilling their constitutional duties regarding the mailing of absentee ballots.”

Alexandra Wilson’s attorney argued before the Indiana Election Commission last month that she remained eligible since her 2010 guilty plea to a low-level Class D felony charge of resisting law enforcement at the age of 19 was accepted by a judge as a Class A misdemeanor.

The dispute has gained attention because of its possible impact on the campaign prospects of Brenda Wilson, a Vigo County Council member who has Trump’s endorsement against Goode following the senator’s December vote against the Indiana congressional redistricting plan.

The four-member Election Commission split 2-2 during a hearing last month on the challenge to Alexandra Wilson’s candidacy, with the tie vote leaving her name on the ballot.

Bridges set a hearing for Tuesday to review the Election Commission’s actions.

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Alexandra Wilson’s attorney, Samantha DeWester, argued in a court filing that blocking mailing of primary ballots would wrongly hurt her client’s “ability to campaign and effectively run for elected office.”

Attorney Jim Bopp, who is a top political ally of Gov. Mike Braun and is supporting Brenda Wilson, is pursuing the legal case against Alexandra Wilson.

Bopp said he would not fight to keep the initial absentee ballots from going out with Alexandra Wilson’s name included.

“The vast majority of ballots that are going to be cast are, of course, in the future, with early voting and in-person voting,” Bopp told the Indiana Capital Chronicle. “That’s the most important thing to get right.”

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Indiana police increase patrols on 2 interstates for spring break

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Indiana police increase patrols on 2 interstates for spring break


Indiana State Police will ramp up patrols along major roadways during spring break to “deter dangerous driving behavior,” the agency said in a news release March 22.

The effort is already underway. On March 20 and 21, ISP’s Lafayette District patrolled Interstate 65 and Interstate 70 for aggressive driving as students and families hit the roads for spring break travel.

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The results, according to police, were 223 traffic stops, 25 calls for service, five crash investigations, five drug-related charges, three operating-while-intoxicated arrests, two reckless driving arrests, two suspended drivers and one vehicle pursuit.“These targeted patrols are about keeping Hoosiers and those traveling through our state safe,” Lt. Tom McKee, Lafayette district commander, said in a news release. “With increased traffic on our roadways, our troopers were out proactively addressing those violations to reduce crashes and keep our roadways safe.”

ISP did not say how long the increased patrols will continue.Contact breaking politics reporter Marissa Meador at mmeador@indystar.com or find her on X at @marissa_meador. 



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San Antonio vs. Indiana, Final Score: Spurs got serious when they needed to, winning 134-119

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San Antonio vs. Indiana, Final Score: Spurs got serious when they needed to, winning 134-119


The San Antonio Spurs have a habit of playing with their food, but the talent difference between them and their opponents makes up for it on most nights. Eventually, they flexed their muscles and there was nothing the visitors could do.

They overwhelmed the Indiana Pacers with paint pressure, which also opened up the outside game, and everyone who got time was a contributor. Victor Wembanyama was like an angry killer wasp on defense, constantly harassing ball handlers, racking up four of his five blocks in the first half. Everything was going smoothly, but his teammates started allowing too much penetration, and their 21-point lead was reduced to eight. It was just three players doing most of the heavy lifting offensively for the Pacers, and the Spurs spent the rest of the game, denying them from getting within striking distance.



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