The beginning of Penn State football’s 4-5 2020 season opened with a 36-35 overtime loss to Indiana largely by way of then-Hoosier sophomore Michael Penix Jr.

Two seasons later, a banged-up Penix Jr. departed Bloomington with four season-ending injuries for greener grass at Washington and was ultimately named the 2023 Heisman Trophy runner-up. Still, his highly-contested two-point conversion in 2020 lives on in the memories of loyal Nittany Lions.

Since former Indiana head coach Tom Allen has been granted the reins of Penn State’s defensive corps, his take on the contentious conversion was high on the priority list for media members at Allen’s introductory press conference Wednesday.

“Oh, it was a touchdown,” Allen told StateCollege.com’s Mike Poorman Wednesday. “But I get it. In terms of what glasses you’re wearing, I guarantee it depends on who you cheer for and which sideline you’re on. Obviously, it was very contested on both sides and reviewed and talked about ad nauseam.”

Though many Nittany Lions will never agree with the officials’ call, it was an unforgettable day for Allen and the start of Indiana’s 6-2 season that culminated in a second-place finish in the Big Ten East and a No. 12 ranking in the final AP Poll.

“I got a big old picture in my office that shows that he scored,” Allen said. “It was a touchdown back then and probably still a touchdown today and will be a touchdown 20 years from now. The bottom line is that it was a great game and that was a great week for the Indiana Hoosiers.”