It was another heartbreaking loss for Penn State football.

The Nittany Lions took the No. 2-ranked Indiana Hoosiers to the brink on Saturday. After a come-from-behind effort, Penn State’s defense faltered on the final drive, surrendering multiple highlight catches, including a toe-tap game-winner by Omar Cooper Jr. with less than a minute to go.

Penn State’s losing streak extended to six games as the Nittany Lions have yet to register a Power Four victory this season. Despite the loss, Penn State fans took to social media with a few positive remarks.

Penn State Will Win Out

Oscar Orellana: Agree. Penn State played its tail off against Indiana and came just short. No disrespect to Michigan State, Nebraska, and Rutgers, but those programs aren’t near the levels of Iowa, Ohio State, and Indiana this year. Penn State will hone in and end the season on a positive note and bowling.

Collin Ward: I really want to agree, and think that it could happen, but I just don’t see us going without a mistake for three straight games.

I know how much potential the Nittany Lions showed at the end of the Indiana game, but Nebraska is still a very solid team without Dylan Riaola.

Cooper Cazares: Penn State’s effort against Indiana showed what this team could be down the stretch. Ethan Grunkemeyer has grown considerably these last few weeks and seems to be coming into his own with a new-look offensive scheme. Penn State would need to win out to be bowl-eligible, and it seems like they’ve found some fire in themselves to get that done.

Terry Smith Should Be The Head Coach Next Season

Oscar Orellana: I love Terry Smith. I think he’s a fantastic coach and was the obvious choice to take over in James Franklin’s stead.

However, I don’t see him as the long-term option. I think the role is a lot to handle, and someone who actively sought it out deserves it. I have no doubt that Smith loves Penn State, and this is the honor of a lifetime for him, but Pat Kraft has to hire somebody to move this program forward.

Collin Ward: I don’t think this one makes sense at all. I am a big fan of Terry Smith, and he will always have his place in Penn State history as a head coach who kept the ship afloat for the 2025 season.

With that being said, he is not the answer. In today’s college football, you really want someone who will bring some hype to the program to garner more NIL and transfer interest. Someone like Brent Key or Eli Drinkwitz does this.

I do hope he gets to stay on staff next season, though.

Cooper Cazares: Terry Smith for Penn State football’s new general manager.

Although the players have rallied around the interim head coach, I’m sure Pat Kraft will look for an outside hire this offseason. Smith should at the very least be saved a spot on next year’s staff.

Penn State’s Defense Carried The Offense Against Indiana

Oscar Orellana: The defense did its job for three and a half quarters. The offense did its job for three and a half quarters. Neither of them completed the job, with both having an opportunity to end the game in the final three minutes. Nobody can carry anybody if the result is a loss.

Collin Ward: No, I thought that it was a solid game from both units.

Anytime a defense gives up 27 in a game, there were spots where they could have improved. Even if the game was against the No. 1 offense in the country at the time.

Kudos to both sides of the ball. If the Nittany Lions look like that the rest of the season, they have a shot at a bowl game still.

Cooper Cazares: Penn State’s defense showed some backbone against Indiana’s electric offense. Heisman candidate Fernando Mendoza was under pressure constantly, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to seal the deal for the Nittany Lions defensively.

As for the offense, Nick Singleton made his comeback at the right moments, and Grunkemeyer took a few shots downfield, something that we haven’t seen much of this season. To me, it’s a stretch to say either unit carried the other on Saturday.

Nick Singleton Is Back

Oscar Orellana: That 59-yard run put a feeling in me that I haven’t felt in a long time. It’s late, but it’s good to see Singleton running amok once more. I’m looking forward to his last three games in Happy Valley.

Collin Ward: HUGE.

I think Smith has finally unlocked Singleton from the chains that he has been in this season. Who knew if you could just get a really fast player into space, they could make guys miss. I also think the deep pass that Penn State found in the second half opens up the line for him.

Cooper Cazares: Thank goodness.

It took a LONG time for Singleton to get going this season, but it was so great to see him return to his former self against Indiana. Whether it was goal-line carries, long runs, or receiving effectiveness, Singleton shut a lot of doubters up on Saturday.

Ethan Grunkemeyer Will Be Penn State’s QB1 Next Season

Oscar Orellana: Grunkemeyer definitely made a case for himself with his performance against Indiana. He battled back through adversity and showed much more poise and confidence than a regular redshirt freshman would possess.

Depending on the recruiting and transfer portal situation, I definitely see a world where Grunkemeyer takes the reins of the offense in 2026. He’s improved so much from week to week against quality competition. Imagine what he could do with a new permanent coach and an entire offseason to work on his craft.

He just has to avoid a complete collapse in the next three games, and I have a good feeling about that job being his come next August.

Collin Ward: I hope so. Grunkemeyer showed that he has the courage and ability to deal with the best of them at the college level on Saturday.

Sure… he missed some balls. Sure… he threw an interception. But, at the end of the day, the resilience he showed to keep going while facing adversity and the talent he displayed during the second-half rally are enough for me to be confident in him as Penn State’s 2026 starter.

There is plenty to work on, but remember, folks, his first three starts were against No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Indiana, and a very difficult Iowa team in Kinnick Stadium. Keep going, Grunk.

Cooper Cazares: Let Grunk cook.

The redshirt freshman has grown up considerably these past three weeks. It hasn’t been an easy road for him as a starter, but he’s shown plenty of flashes in each game he’s played thus far. Whether he returns to Penn State as the starter is completely up to the transfer portal and recruiting outlook, but Grunkemeyer has done plenty to, at the very least, get a considerable nod for the starting job next season.