The number nine ranked Indiana Hoosiers traveled to Columbus, Ohio to take on the number three ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. This was the only matchup this weekend of teams ranked in the top ten. In a tale of two halves, the Buckeyes closed out the Hoosiers 42-35 and remain undefeated.
Coming into this game, the Hoosiers were a huge underdog. Although they entered the game 4-0, the committee believed that the Buckeyes were the far more superior team. The first half was dominant for the Buckeyes. Despite a couple of interceptions from standout quarterback Justin Fields, the silver and red jumped out to a 28-7 lead. The defense got constant pressure on Hoosier quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Defensively, senior linebacker Baron Browning forced a key fumble with Indiana in scoring position. Offensively, Fields and running back Master Teague were making plays all over the field.
In the second half, Indiana showed the true heart of a top ten team and fought back from the deficit. After a Buckeyes third quarter touchdown to wide receiver Garrett Wilson, Penix Jr. began to lead his troops back with big plays in the passing game. Hoosier wide receiver Ty Fryfogle had a breakout second half. The senior led the team with seven receptions for 218 yards and three touchdowns.
There were two plays in the second half that halted Indiana’s comeback. Down 35-14, cornerback Jamar Johnson caught an interception off an ill advised Fields pass, and fumbled the ball back to the Buckeyes. Down 35-21 after a missed field goal, Penix Jr. threw a pick six to Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade. If Indiana did not commit those two crucial turnovers, they would’ve had a great chance of winning the game.
Without a semblance of a running game, the Hoosiers became one dimensional in their offensive attack. Ohio State completely shut down the run game of Indiana with a total of negative one rushing yards.
Indiana scores the final 14 points of the game. The defense even garnered a pivotal stop on fourth down in the red zone to keep their chances alive. It wasn’t enough in the end as the Buckeyes defense closed out the game.
Moral victories aren’t celebrated by top tier teams. However, the Hoosiers should be excited about how they fought back in the second half. This was the closest Indiana has come to defeating Ohio State since 1988. The red and white are now 1-64 all time against top 10 opponents.
Ohio State moves to 4-0 on the season as Indiana drops to 4-1. The Buckeyes will travel on the road to face the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Hoosiers will host the Maryland Terrapins. Both games will be played on Saturday November 28.