College Football Corner: Hoosiers toe the line to keep the dream alive

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza reacts after running back Roman Hemby scored a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football competition against Maryland Saturday Nov in College Park Md AP Photo Stephanie Scarbrough AP Stephanie Scarbrough Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza reacts after running back Roman Hemby scored a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football match against Maryland Saturday Nov in College Park Md AP Photo Stephanie Scarbrough AP Stephanie Scarbrough College football s Closing Month reported goodbye to one unbeaten this week as No BYU fell at No Texas Tech will we see them in a month for the Big Championship while another undefeated squad narrowly escaped upset It was the perfect storm No Indiana was playing a Penn State club that was talented and finding its feet under interim coach Terry Smith And the Nittany Lions rallied from a -point halftime deficit with two fourth quarter touchdowns to take a - lead But Heisman Trophy candidate Fernando Mendoza still had remaining to cover yards with the Hoosiers quarterback completing - passes and the game-winning touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr that saw the receiver barely land inbounds thanks to a toe tap at the back of the end zone Indiana s dream season continues while Penn State s nightmare year takes another turn James Madison - - Sun Belt was on the ropes at Marshall in the fourth quarter with an interception and two three-and-outs to allow the Thundering Herd to crawl within five points But unlike last fall there would be no late collapse against the Herd with left in regulation JMU made a stop on fourth and two at midfield Three plays later JMU s Alonza Barnett III connected with Wayne Knight on a -yard game-sealing touchdown pass in the Dukes - mastery Duke Do s Knight rushed for yards and a touchdown while making four catches for more and the game-clinching amount Barnett posted another strong day by passing for yards and three TDs Tyler Brown led the defense with tackles Only three penalties on the afternoon Duke Don ts The offense converted just - third downs and the defense failed to deliver a takeaway But a road win in the Sun Belt when you re contending for a conference title should not be taken lightly Next Saturday against - App State p m on ESPN More sports stories Paul Tagliabue NFL commissioner of years who led an era of riches and expansion dies at Donald Trump plans to be the st sitting US president at a regular-season NFL contest since MLB pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz charged with taking bribes to rig pitches for bettors Maryland - - Big Ten started strong at Rutgers scoring on their first possession while intercepting the Scarlet Knights on their first drive The D forced a three and out their second time on the field and they entered the second quarter leading - But just like the season turned after a - start Rutgers would total on four of their next five possessions and the Terps couldn t survive the tidal wave in a - loss The gales of November Terps are - this month since arrive right on time for the Terps Terrapin Triumphs Malik Washington gained of the gang s yards rushing including a -yard touchdown scamper Daniel Wingate tallied tackles while Lavain Scruggs added stops while posting an interception Terrapin Troubles Third down was an issue on both sides of the ball as Maryland converted just - money downs while Rutgers moved the chains on - attempts The run defense was unable to stop Antwan Raymond who rushed for yards and a touchdown Malik Washington completed just over of his passes for under seven yards per completion Next Saturday at - Illinois p m on FS No Virginia - - ACC saw its incredible run of late-game luck end in a - loss to Wake Forest that saw quarterback Chandler Morris leave in the second quarter with an injury But with under a minute left backup Daniel Kaelin directed the offense to the doorstep of the end zone only to throw incomplete on fourth and three from the Demon Deacon five Cavalier Congrats Even without Morris the offense presented balance rushing for yards while passing for The defense held the Demon Deacons to - passing for yards Only three penalties on the evening Cavalier Concerns Kaelin completed over of his passes but averaged just over eight yards per completed pass as the offense converted just - third downs He also fumbled twice and both turnovers led to Wake Forest field goals Next Saturday at - Duke p m on ESPN Navy - knew their championship at No Notre Dame would be tough when they learned that quarterback Blake Horvath would miss the contest due to an injury suffered the week before against North Texas Under the lights in South Bend the defense s blemishes would be highlighted in the - loss that has them reeling with the teeth of their American Conference schedule coming up Midshipman Medals Backup quarterback Braxton Woodson rushed for yards and the organization s only touchdown Coleman Cauley paced the defense with eight tackles Jacob Carlson averaged yards per punt Midshipman Miscues The Mids air attack was grounded as they completed just - passes for yards The defense coughed up yards on the ground at per attempt and the Fighting Irish completed - passes Notre Dame also converted - third downs while going - on fourth down Do I dare mention the six penalties Next Saturday at noon at home against - South Florida on ESPN Source