PENN STATE Indiana coach DiNardo returns to Beaver Stadium
The Hoosiers have never beaten Penn State.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- The last time Indiana football coach Gerry DiNardo was in Beaver Stadium, he was working for CBS, covering the win that temporarily gave Penn State coach Joe Paterno the record for the most major-college wins.
When DiNardo returns today, he could saddle Paterno with another record -- the most losses ever for a Penn State team.
The Hoosiers (2-8, 1-5 Big Ten) have never beaten Penn State. But if ever there was a time for Indiana to expect a win, this might be it.
Penn State (2-8, 0-6) has fallen far since that October day in 2001 when quarterback Zack Mills brought the Nittany Lions back from an 18-point second-half deficit for a 29-27 victory and Paterno's 324th win. Penn State struggled early that year before recovering to win five of their last seven.
Dubious distinction
This year, the Nittany Lions haven't won since Sept. 20 and already have tied a school record -- set in 1931 -- with eight losses.
Indiana, on the other hand, comes in to Beaver Stadium after a 17-14 victory over Illinois. What's more, the Hoosiers came from behind for the win, first stifling the Illinois offense before Matt LoVecchio scored on an 8-yard run with 24 seconds remaining.
"We finished with three three-and-outs and a four-and-out their last four drives," DiNardo said. "That was significant."
Paterno has noticed, saying that there's a new attitude at Indiana since DiNardo arrived.
"They are playing better defense. They are more organized offensively and the whole bit," Paterno said. "I think he is doing a really good job with them. They are going to be a factor in this conference before it is all over."
That's also why Penn State quarterback Zack Mills finds it so hard to believe that Penn State is an 18-point favorite.
"A lot of football is mental -- it's about momentum, and they have the momentum," Penn State quarterback Zack Mills said. "And I'm sure they're not scared nor worried about coming in here to play.
"It's not like last year, or the year before, or the year before, when you ask them before if they want to come in here to Beaver Stadium and play us, and they probably say, 'No.' They're probably looking forward to it and licking their chops."
Hoosiers
It's enough to make one think that Indiana is a powerhouse. But statistically, the Hoosiers are one of the few Big Ten teams that make Penn State look good.
Indiana is second-to-last in the conference in total offense at 317.1 yards per game, barely better than Penn State's 308.4 yards. And the Hoosiers are last in total defense, giving up 432.3 yards per game.