BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Penn State has been searching for ways to end a midseason slump.

The Nittany Lions’ defense stepped up. Sam Ficken did, too.

Ficken kicked a 27-yard go-ahead field goal and Penn State defeated Indiana 13-7 to snap a four-game skid.

Ficken’s kick gave Penn State a 10-7 lead which he later extended with a 28-yard field goal with under a minute to play.

“Our defense is really gaining confidence because they’re playing well,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. “We went into the year feeling really good about (the defense). We just needed to do it down in and down out.”

Christian Hackenberg was 12 of 29 for 168 yards and Bill Belton ran for 137 yards and a touchdown for the Nittany Lions (5-4, 2-4 Big Ten), who haven’t lost more than five games since 2004.

The Nittany Lions controlled an Indiana offense that hasn’t found its way since it lost starting quarterback Nate Sudfeld to a season-ending injury last month. Since then, Indiana (3-6, 0-5) has lost four straight.

Penn State held Tevin Coleman to just 71 yards rushing. He was first in the nation in rushing yards per game entering Saturday’s contest and finished with less than 100 rushing yards for the first time in 10 games.

“They were amazing,” Coleman said of the Nittany Lion defense. “The linebackers were filling the holes and I couldn’t go anywhere. They’re a really good defense and they just did their thing.”

Zander Diamont was just 13 of 28 for 68 yards, but ran for 58 yards, and Indiana has combined for just 103 yards passing over the last three games.

Both teams struggled to get much going on offense for much of the game and Penn State came up with just enough big plays.

“This is the prettiest win I’ve ever seen in my 20 years,” Franklin said. “The water tastes better, the Gatorade tastes better, everything is good right now.”

By halftime, Penn State and Indiana combined for 1 of 14 on third down conversions.