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Penn State overcomes sluggish start to beat Indiana

Nov 15, 2008 - 10:22 PM STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania (Ticker) -- Darryl Clark and Penn State still have at least one title to play for.

Clark passed for two touchdowns as the eighth-ranked Nittany Lions overcame a lethargic start Saturday en route to a 34-7 victory over Indiana.

Last Saturday, the Nittany Lions (10-1, 6-1 Big Ten) saw their national title hopes all but come to an end following a last-second loss at Iowa. However, the Nittany Lions still are on course to claim their first Big Ten title since 1994 and could win it next week with a home victory over Michigan State.

Trying to rebound from last week's disappointment, the Nittany Lions were sluggish early on a dreary afternoon at Beaver Stadium before taking control against the Hoosiers (3-8, 1-6), who lost by double digits for the sixth time this season.

"I think we were sloppy at times in the first half. Indiana played hard but gave us a lot of opportunities to really put it away early," said Penn State coach Joe Paterno, who picked up career win No. 382. "But we didn't do a very good job with that, so I think we were sloppy. I think we were okay in the second half. We could be better

Clark was out of sync in the first quarter, losing a fumble deep in Indiana territory and failing to move the offense as the first quarter ended scoreless.

But the Nittany Lions finally got on the board on their fourth possession as Clark threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Williams over the middle.

A five-touchdown underdog, Indiana immediately answered as Marcus Thigpen bounced outside and ran down the right sideline for a 57-yard touchdown, tying the game at 7-7 with 11:24 left in the first half.

Kevin Kelly kicked a 34-yard field goal with four seconds left before the break to give the Nittany Lions the lead for good.

In the second half, the Nittany Lions finally found their rhythm.

Evan Royster scored on a 19-yard run and Clark threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Deon Butler around a 36-yard field goal from Kelly which made it 27-7 entering the fourth quarter.

Clark completed 20-of-36 passes for 239 yards and an interception.

"Some of my passes came out of my hands bad," Clark said. "The ball was a little wet today, but at certain times when we needed to throw the ball, we were able to make some completions and I was able to handle the ball. But, I'm still not very happy with my performance today."

Williams put an exclamation point on things midway through the fourth quarter with a 36-yard TD run. The senior accounted for 123 total yards (62 receiving, 61 rushing).

"Everyone is saying that there might have been a hangover," Williams said. "We just came to play. That Iowa game is behind us. We still have a game in front of us and a tough game against Michigan State."

Still slowed by a right ankle injury, Hoosiers quarterback Kellen Lewis completed just 9-of-21 passes for 57 yards and an interception.

Indiana managed just six first downs.

"I thought our kids gave a great effort against a very good football team," Indiana coach Bill Lynch said. "The first half we really battled them and we battled some tough field position and it was 7-10 at half. We just couldn't get anything going offensively in the second half."