Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo blasts Penn State’s playcalling after heartbreaking loss to Indiana

Chris “Mad Dog” Russo had plenty to say about Penn State’s late-game collapse against Indiana, and none of it was complimentary. On Wednesday’s edition of First Take on ESPN, the longtime sports radio host unloaded on the Nittany Lions’ conservative playcalling in the final minutes of their 27-24 loss to the Hoosiers.

“The Indiana-Penn State game. What is Penn State doing? They’re 0-6 in the league. They’ve won three games. They fired James Franklin. They got a chance to beat Indiana at home,” Russo said. “With a minute and a half to go in the game, and he’s a good kid, this guy, this new interim coach — they’re running the ball. Nothing. Why? They’ve got one time out.

“You’ve got a chance to beat Indiana. Make your season. Indiana calls their final time out. They throw this little play to the tight end. He’s got no chance to get 10 yards on that play.”

Russo continued, vividly describing the moment everything unraveled: “What do they do? Two-minute warning, what does Mendoza do? Goes right down the field. They score a touchdown and they lose. How in the world are those big plays when you’ve got a chance to beat Indiana? You run the ball, run the ball and then throw to the tight end,” he added.

“He’s the interim coach. He wants the job full time. Penn State’s got a chance to sort of help their season by upsetting Indiana, and they played not to lose. Oh, that drives me crazy. I hated it. I really did.”

Alas, it was a gut punch of a loss for Penn State, which appeared poised to pull off its biggest win of the season. Trailing 20-10 entering the fourth quarter, the Nittany Lions rallied behind running back Nick Singleton. His touchdown reception gave Penn State a 24-20 lead late, seemingly sealing an emotional upset after a turbulent season that included the midyear firing of Franklin.

But Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza had other plans. With 1:15 remaining, he engineered a 10-play, 73-yard drive capped by one of the most stunning plays of the season — a toe-tap touchdown from Omar Cooper Jr. in the back of the end zone with just 36 seconds left.

The win kept Indiana’s College Football Playoff hopes in good standing, as one of just three remaining undefeated teams, alongside Ohio State and Texas A&M. The Hoosiers now turn their focus to Week 12’s matchup with Wisconsin before closing the regular season at Purdue, while Penn State looks to regroup ahead of a trip to Michigan State.

For Russo, though, the story wasn’t Indiana’s magic. It was Penn State’s failure to seize the moment. “They played not to lose,” he concluded. And that’s exactly what happened.