Penn State's heartbreaking loss to Indiana began when they accidentally scored a touchdown they didn't want
- Penn State lost to Indiana in dramatic fashion on Saturday.
- While the game will be remembered for a brilliant play from Indiana quarterback Michael Penix that won the game in overtime, Penn State's loss really began in the final minute of regulation.
- Holding a 21-20 lead with just over a minute remaining, Penn State scored a touchdown that gave possession back to Indiana.
- Had Penn State running back Devyn Ford simply fallen to the ground before the goal line, the Nittany Lions could have drained the clock and ended the game.
- Instead, Penn State took an eight-point lead but gave the ball back to Indiana, who scored to force overtime and won the game in the extra period.
Indiana beat No. 8 Penn State 36-35 on Saturday in one of the most phenomenal college football endings imaginable.
After matching Penn State's touchdown in the first overtime period, Indiana went for the win with a two-point conversion attempt. Quarterback Michael Penix dove for the pylon at full extension, and in a call that was as close as they come, was awarded the conversion and the win.
This is football at its best. It really is a game of inches.
But for Penn State, the game was lost well before that play occurred. In the final minutes of regulation, the Nittany Lions could have secured the win but accidentally scored a touchdown.
Facing first-and-10 just inside the red zone and already holding a 21-20 lead, Penn State only needed to drain away the final 100 seconds off the clock to leave Indiana with a win.
That all changed when running back Devyn Ford broke free and wound up scoring a touchdown.
Ford looked as though he realized his mistake a moment too late, just as he crossed the goal line.
Had he stopped short of the goal line, Penn State could have worked the clock down to its final seconds and left Indiana with very little time to come back.
Instead, Indiana retook possession with just under two minutes left and drove the field for a game-tying touchdown. Then in overtime, Indiana won.
If it's any consolation to Ford, it's a mistake that even the pros make. A day after Penn State's shocking loss to Indiana, Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley would make the same mistake, costing the Falcons a win over the Lions.
As both plays proved, sometimes it's better not to score.
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