The nightmare continues for Penn State, Lions' pass rush was better but not good enough, and more of what they're saying

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State is living a nightmare in 2025. That much is clear. The Nittany Lions lost their sixth straight game on Saturday when their bid to upset Indiana ended in a 27-24 setback at Beaver Stadium.

“We have to hit the reset button again tomorrow and continue to figure out how to win a game,” interim head coach Terry Smith said. “I thought we did a better job in the second half throwing the ball down the field. I thought it opened up our run game. We got a long run, and it gave us some opportunities to get back in the game. Our kids fought valiantly in the second half. We fought back from a 13-point deficit and just kept clawing, kept fighting, and it’s a testimony to these kids in the locker room.”

Here’s what is being said locally and nationally about the game.

Nick Singleton returns to form

It’s been a tough go for senior running back Nick Singleton this season. But, he had his best game of the year against the Hooisers. He carried 10 times for 71 yards and two scores while also netting three catches for 22 yards and a score.

“Singleton simply couldn’t find his gear this season,” Mark Wogenrich writes for SI. “His longest run was 16 yards, and he had been averaging 3.6 yards per carry. But Singleton’s second half was undeniably his best football of the season.

“Singleton scored three touchdowns, including two in Penn State’s explosive fourth quarter, and delivered his longest run of the season. Singleton broke a 59-yard gain to set up his second touchdown, demonstrating the burst and speed that Penn State has longed to see this season.”

Read the full story here.

Penn State continues living a nightmare

That’s the take of PennLive columnist Johnny McGonigal. The Nittany Lions have not won since mid-September.

“There’s still hope Penn State can emerge from the storm Smith has talked about,” McGonigal writes. “But Saturday against Indiana was an opportunity to exorcise the demons that have haunted this team for six weeks. 

“And to come so close and fall short like that? That might be the worst loss yet.”

Read the full story here.

The Lions’ pass rush was good but not good enough

Also writing for PennLive, Bob Flounders looks at how the Lions pressured Fernando Mendoza frequently. And yet, the Indiana quarterback withstood the beating he took and rose to the occasion in the end.

“Mendoza got it from just about everyone on the Lions’ defense as PSU coordinator Jim Knowles made it a point to test the QB’s physical limits,” Flounders writes. “Mendoza could have broken, given the amount of punishment he absorbed.

“But after the Lions scored 17 second-half points to take a 24-20 lead at Beaver Stadium, it was Mendoza and his wideouts that delivered the game’s biggest blow – an 80-yard touchdown march in 1:15 with no timeouts.”

Read the full story here.

Final word on Penn State-Indiana

This week, it goes to BWI’s Sean Fitz, who shouts out safety King Mack in his weekly game balls piece.

“For a defense that has struggled with creating havoc this season, Jim Knowles tried a lot to change that on Saturday against one of the nation’s top offenses,” Fitz writes. “They nearly pulled it off, too, thanks to timely pressure and a few key plays in the secondary. Among those leading the way was safety King Mack, who made one of the better individual plays we’ve seen this season on a fourth-quarter interception. Mack started on the opposite hash and came all the way across the field to pick off Mendoza and set up the go-ahead score. 

“Mack also got involved as the Nittany Lions threw a variety of pressures at Indiana. He nearly ended the game with a hit on Mendoza on the Hoosiers’ final drive. Mack hit Mendoza’s arm, leaving the ball floating in slow motion toward the secondary, but a Penn State defender couldn’t come up with it. He was also one of the Nittany Lions providing pressure on the game-winner. Mack finished with three tackles, an interception, a hurry, and a breakup.”

Read the full story here.