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Indiana Preview

by Jeff Metzger

October 29, 2003

Offensive Report Card | Defensive Report Card | Player of Game | Northwestern Preview

GAME 11: INDIANA

COACH: Gerry DiNardo (5-17 in 2 years at Indiana)

RECORD: 2-8 (1-5 in the Big 10)

LAST WEEK: Beat Illinois, 17-14

SERIES HISTORY: Penn State leads the series 8-0

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
• Matt LoVecchio – the Notre Dame transfer is 129 of 238 for 1,551 yards on the season, with 2 TDs and 7 INTs. He scored the game-winning TD a week ago with :24 remaining.
• Kyle Killion – IU’s middle linebacker leads the defense with 82 tackles on the season. He also has 6 tackles for loss, 3 fumble recoveries, and 1 INT.

KEY STATISTIC: In the eight times these 2 teams have met, they have combined to score 518 points, an average of 64.7 per game.

IMPORTANT MATCH-UPS:
• Penn State’s running game vs. the IU defense: The Nittany Lions are a team without an offensive identity. Can they come out and establish the run with their back-up QB as their starting tailback?

• Penn State’s rushing defense vs. the IU ground game: Last week, the Hoosiers pounded Illinois for 356 yards on the ground. Penn State hasn’t shown it can stop ANYONE’S rushing attack, even when they know it’s coming.

KEEP AN EYE ON:
• Tailback – will Austin Scott or Tony Hunt see the field this week?
• Penn State’s Middle Linebacker – with Gino Capone out for the season, who will step in and fill the void?
• Body language – which beleaguered group wants this one more?
• JoePa – after last week’s loss, he resembled a bloodied and beat up fighter. Can he bounce back yet again or has this season finally taken its toll?

MY PREDICTION: Penn State 29, Indiana 23

BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW: Indiana is now the only Big Ten team yet to defeat the Nittany Lions.

**For more information on Indiana Football, check out iuhoosiers.com
**Be sure to visit www.gopsusports.com every Tuesday for a transcript of Coach Joe Paterno’s weekly press conference.

Until next time, S-T-A-T-E, Go State!!!

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