Indiana University Athletics
INDIANA FALLS TO #2 PENN STATE, 45-24
9/25/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
INDIANA FALLS TO #2 PENN STATE, 45-24
University Park, Pa. -- The Indiana University football squad fell to second-ranked Penn State today before 96,416 at Beaver Stadium. Indiana trailed only 17-10 at halftime but Penn State's 21 third-quarter points ultimately clinched the victory.
Indiana (1-3 overall, 0-1 Big Ten) got off to a fast start as junior LB Joslin Goodman's special teams tackle on the opening kickoff pinned back Penn State at its own five-yard line. On 3rd-n-8 from the PSU-7, cornerback O.J. Spencer sacked QB Kevin Thompson (12-7-86-0-0TD) for what appeared to be a safety but the Penn State quarterback was ruled down at the one-yard line.
After PR Derin Graham returned a Penn State punt to the PSU-27, the Nittany Lions held the Hoosiers to only four yards on Indiana's first three downs. However, a 40-yard field goal by K Andy Payne gave Indiana a 3-0 lead with 12:11 remaining in the first quarter.
With 8:11 left in the same stanza, sophomore QB Antwaan Randle El (23-11-204-1INT-2TDs passing, 17-67-1TD rushing) was intercepted by Askari Adams and the senior safety returned it 37 yards for a touchdown to give Penn State a 7-3 lead.
Penn State increased its lead to 14-3 with 13:51 remaining in the second quarter on a one-yard run by Aaron Harris. However, Indiana answered right back as the Hoosiers put together an 11-play, 80-yard, 4:33 drive that was capped with a one-yard touchdown run by Randle El. True freshman fullback Jeremi Johnson (9-54 rushing) rushed for 44 yards on the drive. PSU K Travis Forney's 26-yard field goal with 3:12 remaining in the half increased PSU's lead to 17-10, an advantage the Nittany Lions took to the locker room at halftime.
With 12:11 remaining in the third quarter, Penn State sophomore PR Bruce Branch returned a Drew Hagan punt 90 yards for a touchdown to increase Penn State's lead to 24-10.
Junior quarterback Rashard Casey (15-13-196-2TDs passing, 8-66-1TD rushing) pushed PSU's lead to 31-10 with 8:00 left in the third quarter on an impressive 31-yard scramble when he was flushed out of the pocket and reversed field for the score.
Indiana did not go away quietly as a 34-yard pass play from Randle El to junior WR Jerry Dorsey (3-68-1TD receiving) cut the lead to 31-17 and a 27-yard strike from Randle El to Versie Gaddis closed Penn State's lead to 14 points at 38-24 with 10:54 remaining in the game.
A nine-yard, Casey to Sam Crenshaw scoring pass provided the final winning margin.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Todd Starowitz, Football Media Relations Director
