Written by Amanda Pavelka

FINISH.

It was Tom Allen’s one word for 2018.

Coming up just short in games, ending 5-7 to almost grasp a bowl bid. That’s the story of Allen’s first two seasons at Indiana, like 21 out of the last 25 seasons IU football has failed to exist in postseason games.

On Saturday, Indiana FINISHED at Nebraska in a 38-31 win, for back-to-back road victories, lifting their record to 6-2.

As of October 26th the Indiana football is bowl eligible at the earliest point in the season since 1993.

Indiana had not beaten Nebraska in front of their fans in 60 years.

And they managed to pull it off without starting quarterback Michael Penix.

It was Peyton Ramsey who fearlessly started at quarterback with an injured Penix. Ramsey swooped in to secure the victory at Maryland, and with Penix on the bench, his poise, consistency, and decision-making would determine if Indiana had a chance to secure another big road win.

Once again, the junior backup quarterback led a team effort on offense to capture the victory, and the Hoosiers’ first bowl bid since 2016. He had himself a hay day against the Huskers, ending with a career-high 27-of-40 passes for 351 yards, two touchdowns, a single interception and 51 yards on nine runs himself.

Fourteen of those passes to Whop Philyor, who led IU’s receiving game with 178 yards. The other 13 spread amongst five others—it was a remarkable team effort by IU’s receiving corps.

Ramsey fed Stevie Scott 16 times for 68 yards, his single touchdown being the one that would ultimately win the Hoosiers the game, putting them up 38-24 with 12 minutes remaining.

Defense let up for a quick Husker touchdown, making the fourth quarter a nail-biter. With a little over 10 minutes in the game, Indiana managed to run the ball as the clock dwindled.

With Ramsey’s clutch runs for first down and Scott fighting his way through every yard and Blackshirt defense, the Hoosiers could not land the end zone but found themselves at the buzzer 38-31.

“I think that’s a credit to how well we threw the ball and how we spread them out and opening those lanes,” Ramsey said. “Credit to the entire team just continuing to push through the fourth quarter game like we knew it was going to be and taking what they gave us, just trying to get the job done.”

Down to the offensive line, without senior captain Coy Cronk and apparently Simon Stepaniak, who appeared to be replaced by Mackenzie Nworah, Saturday was a tale of overcoming adversity.

It was anything but pretty, but the Hoosier offense proved themselves gritty enough to finish in a tough environment once again.

Now 6-2, IU’s pressure to get a bowl bid is gone— it’s now a matter of just how well Indiana can FINISH the second half of their season.

The Huddle

Hoosier Offense Finds a Way To 'Finish' in Lincoln

Hoosier Huddle