UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State's highly regarded defense has something to prove.

That unit failed to protect a nine-point, fourth-quarter lead last weekend at Iowa as the Nittany Lions lost their first game of the season, 24-23.

The defense, which leads the Big Ten Conference in all four major categories, will be looking to return to its old form today when No. 7 Penn State (9-1, 5-1) plays lowly Indiana (3-7, 1-5) at Beaver Stadium.

"We're a resilient group," said outside linebacker Tyrell Sales from Butler High School. "It's tough to say we let [Iowa] go down and drive to win the game, but, at the same time, if we had a couple stops during the game, they never would have had the opportunity."

Against Iowa, safety Anthony Scirrotto was whistled for a 15-yard pass-interference call on third-and-15 from the Penn State 24. It kept the Hawkeyes' winning drive alive, and it was capped by Daniel Murray's 31-yard field goal with one second left.

Murray's kick was set up by quarterback Daryll Clark's third interception in 223 attempts.

"They weren't really big mistakes, a couple coverage mistakes, a couple plays we could have made," cornerback Lydell Sargeant said.

"But Iowa played a good game, and we have to give credit to them."

Two weeks earlier, Penn State forced two late turnovers in a 13-6 victory against Ohio State at the Horseshoe.

But the Lions couldn't produce similar fourth-quarter magic against the Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium.

"We had a couple things go our way against Ohio State that didn't go our way against Iowa," Sales said.

"It's not so much that we played any differently, it's just that little things go your way one week, and the ball bounces a different way another week."

Sargeant also dropped an interception and, two plays later, cornerback A.J. Wallace blew a coverage, allowing Iowa's Darrell Johnson-Koulianos to catch a 27-yard touchdown pass that pulled the Hawkeyes within 16-14 in the third quarter.

"I could have made the play, but that's just one play," Sargeant said.

"I personally don't sulk on things that I could have done. There's a lot of 'could haves' in 60 minutes of a football game."

Indiana, which has lost numerous players to injury and was forced to use three quarterbacks against Wisconsin last weekend, is fourth in total offense in the Big Ten, averaging 378.4 yards per game, and fifth in rushing, netting 175.8.

The Hoosiers last played at Beaver Stadium in 2003, losing, 52-7. The Nittany Lions have an 11-0 all-time edge in the series.

Penn State will be playing its second home game in six weeks and first since Oct. 18 against Michigan.

"Penn State is the real deal," Indiana coach Bill Lynch said.

"We are going to load up and take this as a great challenge. We're not going to a bowl game, but the opportunity to go play at Penn State, in that environment against that football team, you don't get to do that very often."

Matchup: No. 7 Penn State (9-1, 5-1 Big Ten) vs. Indiana (3-7, 1-5), noon today, Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pa. Nittany Lions favored by 35 points.

TV/Radio: Big Ten Network; WEAE-AM (1250) and Penn State Sports Network. Game also can be heard at www.GoPSUsports.com.

Penn State: OLB Navorro Bowman has a team-high 89 tackles. ... Has 46 touchdowns, 18 field goals. ... Derrick Williams leads Big Ten in kick returns (28.7-yard average).

Indiana: DE Jammie Kirlew ranks sixth nationally with 10 1/2 sacks. ... Defense is tied for second in the Big Ten with 27 sacks. ... WR Ray Fisher leads the team with 37 catches for 342 yards and four TDs.

Hidden stat: Indiana has surrendered 42 or more points in five of its games.Game