Quarterbacks are often said to need a short-term memory, and though Anthony Scirrotto is years removed from his days calling signals in New Jersey, he showed he hasn't forgotten how to dismiss things quickly.

He was asked after Saturday's 34-7 win against Indiana about the defense responding after last week's forgettable drive at the end of the Iowa game.

"What drive?" Scirrotto joked.

The lasting memories of Iowa's game-winning drive that ended Penn State's undefeated season may not be entirely forgotten, -- try as much as Scirrotto might -- but the Nittany Lions' defense exhibited many of the traits absent from a week ago.

Hoosiers quarterback Kellen Lewis was constantly pressured by Penn State's defensive line, and more pressure came from the linebackers on blitzes as the secondary buckled down.

The Lions allowed just six first downs, the fewest they have ever allowed in a Big Ten game, and the total yards (180) and completed passes (nine) were the lowest in a conference game since 2004.

This after Iowa shredded Penn State's defense in the second half of last week's 24-23 loss to Iowa and converted seven of 10 third downs overall.

"Coaches talked to them about coming out and having swagger again, coming out and feeling good about yourselves and doing those things," defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said. "I tell them all the time there's no paybacks. The only people you try to pay back are people that have helped you along the way. It's not about paybacks or angriness. It's just getting back to playing football and making plays."

Bradley's unit made plenty against Lewis and the Hoosiers. Aside from a lone black mark when Marcus Thigpen broke loose for a 57-yard touchdown run, Penn State's defense played tight and allowed Indiana to manage little substance.

"We needed this one bad," said middle linebacker Josh Hull, who finished with seven tackles and a sack. "Obviously, it was disappointing last week in Iowa, but it's in the past. You can't dwell on it."

Saturday's success came against a quarterback and offense that torched Penn State's defense a season ago. Then, Lewis threw for 318 yards and ran for 63 in a 36-31 loss.

On Saturday, Lewis finished 9 of 21 for 57 yards and 34 rushing yards on a bum ankle in slick conditions.

Penn State ran more blitz packages, particularly in the second half, and frazzled Indiana's offense. A majority of Lewis' incompletions were passes he threw away.

Defensive tackle Jared Odrick had only three tackles and one tackle for loss, but he hurried Lewis a number of times.

"It was definitely very important to make sure we played a fundamentally sound game," defensive end Aaron Maybin said. "We came out and tried our best to eliminate mistakes we made in the week before, play with a lot of poise and play our game."

Maybin overcommitted on Thigpen's touchdown, linebacker Bani Gbadyu missed a tackle and defensive back Lydell Sargeant was caught inside.

Otherwise, Saturday's effort was a reversal of the play against the Hawkeyes.

"It was important for us to establish confidence and the swagger we might have lost a little bit last week," Scirrotto said.