Three years ago, Michael Penix Jr. committed to Indiana, spurning offers from Florida State and South Florida.
The former Tampa Bay standout said he made the decision to make an impact, to create his own legacy.
On Saturday, he made good on those intentions.
With the Hoosiers trailing Penn State 28-20 in the final two minutes of regulation, Penix Jr. engineered a drive that ended with his plunge into the end zone.
But it was not over. Indiana still needed a 2-point conversion to force a tie.
Penix Jr. provided that, too.
The dual threat quarterback scrambled to his left to tie the game at 28-all.
In overtime, the Hoosiers again faced a deficit after the Nittany Lions scored on its opening drive.
No matter.
Penix Jr. led another rally, this time hitting former Plant standout Whop Philyor Jr. for a touchdown.
Instead of kicking the extra point, Indiana went for the win.
Again, it was up to Penix Jr.
Eluding defenders on a 2-point conversion, Penix Jr. took off his left in a mad dash to the corner of the end zone. He extended his body, his arm — and more importantly the ball — grazing the pylon by the closest of margins.
Game over.
Indiana 36, Penn State 35.
It was the Hoosiers’ first win over a top-10 opponent (the Nittany Lions were ranked eighth) since 1987.
All courtesy of Penix Jr., who created his own legacy with some last minute panache.
