STICK TO BASKETBALL INDIANA

During Penn State's days an an independent power, Beano Cook used to be fond of saying that The Berlin Wall would fall before Maryland defeated a Joe Paterno-coached Nittany Lion team (the Terps are 1-36-1 against PSU all-time). Now, after the twelfth victory in as many games against the Indiana Hoosiers, maybe it can be said that America will elect a black president...Philadelphia will win a championship...the moon will fall out of the sky before Indiana beats Penn State.

The Lions improved to 10-1 after a 34-7 domination of the Hoosiers in a game that was as frustrating at times as it was one-sided. Statistically, the Lions dominated Indiana in first downs (23-6), yards (442-180) and time of possession (35:11 - 24:49) but missed a field goal and turned it over three times to keep the score from reflecting that. Tied 7-7 after the first 29 minutes of the game, a Kevin Kelly field goal with four seconds left on the first half clock marked the beginning of 27 unanswered points for the Lions that decided the game.

The game was marred by intermittent rain that turned heavy at times, but it would be unfair to attribute all of the Lions' mistakes to the awful weather conditions. Penn State was expected to use this game to answer the questions facing it after the disaster in Iowa City last week, but another lackluster performance by Daryll Clark, including three turnovers, did little to silence the critics of the first-year starter.

Once again the Lions started slowly, gaining 68 yards on their first 14 plays with two punts and a fumble to show for it. Penn State would sandwich another punt and a missed field goal between a touchdown pass and a Kelly three-pointer to cap its first-half scoring at ten points, tied for the second-fewest after two quarters all season.

Thanks to its smothering defense that allowed just 56 yards and two first downs in Indiana's seven second-half possessions, Penn State was able to put the game away after halftime and now can look forward to its "Big Ten Championship Game" against Michigan State next week.

Deon Butler, after failing to hang on to the first pass thrown to him, became the school's all-time leader in receptions early in the first quarter but was overshadowed by teammate Derrick Williams on this day. D-Wheels continues to embed himself in the hearts of Penn State fans with every game he plays. Against the Hoosiers, Williams racked up 164 total yards and two touchdowns. Amazingly, his 39-yard reception that went for a touchdown in the first quarter was the longest catch of his career.

Williams and his senior classmates are just four quarters away from bookending their careers with Big Ten Championships, but another effort like Saturday's likely won't be enough against Michigan State if the Lions want to book a trip to Pasadena.