Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

The Indiana Hoosiers (1-2) welcomed the Cincinnati Bearcats (3-0) to a raucous and sold out Memorial Stadium on a steamy afternoon in Bloomington. Despite a terrific start from Indiana, a number of mistakes cost the Hoosiers a victory and they’ll go to Western Kentucky next Saturday desperately needing a bounceback victory.

The Cincinnati Bearcats began the contest with the ball at their own 18-yard line and the IU defense quickly set the tone with a tackle in the backfield on first down. The Hoosiers forced a three and out and IU took over at the 32-yard line and were also forced into a quick three and out. The Bearcats began their second possession at the 14-yard line and it was more of the same as IU stopped them in three plays and forced a punt. Again though, the Hoosier offense could not get going and had to punt back to the Bearcats. On third and ten, IU got pressure on quarterback Desmond Ridder and a tipped ball was intercepted at midfield by Marcelino McCrary-Ball. The takeaway sparked the offense as D.J. Matthews picked up 15 yards on a reverse, Stephen Carr and Tim Baldwin had good runs and then Michael Penix connected with Peyton Hendershot who bowled his way into the end zone for the opening score. IU’s defense continued to impose themselves on the Bearcat offense, forcing another three and out and consistently getting into the backfield. IU moved the ball well with a combination of running plays and screen passes to earn a trip inside the ten. On fourth and one, they opted to go for it and rushed a quarterback sneak that was stuffed for a turnover on downs. Cincinnati still could not get anything going on offense and IU’s next possession saw the Hoosiers again move the ball well and get into the red zone. On third down though, Michael Penix threw it behind Peyton Hendershot and the ball was intercepted in the end zone. Cincinnati finally got a first down but their momentum was quickly disrupted as Ryder Anderson hit Desmond Ridder from behind and forced a fumble. A Cincinnati lineman picked it up but Micah McFadden popped the ball loose and recovered it on the Cincinnati six-yard line. Two plays later, Michael Penix lofted a touchdown pass to Stephen Carr to give the Hoosiers a 14-0 lead. With Memorial Stadium rocking, IU appeared to have forced another punt but a late whistle stopped play and resulted in a review that found Micah McFadden guilty of targeting. The infraction gave the Bearcats a first down and ejected McFadden from the contest. Cincinnati took advantage of the good fortune and Jerome Ford scampered in for a five-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit in half. Penix threw his second interception on an ill-advised throw and the Bearcats took over near midfield with 27 seconds left. Alec Pierce got the ball to the 18-yard line and Cincinnati settled for a Cole Smith field goal to make it 14-10 at the half.

IU went three and out on the first possession of the second half and Cincinnati returned the punt to the IU 30-yard line. However, a personal foul for a late block moved the offense back and a 50-yard attempted field goal doinked off the post to keep it 14-10. Ty Fryfogle dropped a deep ball and IU’s offense continued to sputter, going three and out yet again. The Bearcats moved into field goal territory and hit a 36-yard try but an illegal formation penalty on IU allowed Cincinnati to convert a fourth and one and then Jerome Ford carried in another touchdown to give the #8 Bearcats their first lead at 17-14. The Indiana Hoosiers responded by getting D.J. Matthews involved with a deep completion and then a well-designed end around that got Matthews into the end zone for the 21-17 lead with 3:54 left in the third quarter. Cincinnati quickly grabbed the lead right back as Tre Tucker returned the ensuing kick off 99 yards for a score. They missed the extra point and the score was 23-21. Charles Campbell gave the Hoosiers the lead again with a 49-yard field goal right before the end of the third quarter. IU’s defense was in good position for a stop but instead of third and ten, a personal foul was called on Thomas Allen for roughing the passer. Yet again, Cincinnati took advantage and scored on a Desmond Ridder pass to Alec Pierce to make it 30-24. IU went on a long drive propelled by a 37-yard run from Davion Ervin-Poindexter. With the ball inside the five, it appeared IU was headed for the go-ahead touchdown. However, for the third time this contest, IU turned it over inside the red zone. This time, it was a fumble by Tim Baldwin. The Hoosiers forced a punt and got the ball with 4:27 remaining. Michael Penix was sacked on first down and on third and 16, he was intercepted and the Bearcats ran it back inside the five-yard line. Desmond Ridder ran it in on third and goal and a two-point conversion iced the cake for UC’s victory.

The Hoosiers outgained the Bearcats 378 to 326 but four turnovers and red zone inefficiency proved fatal for Indiana’s chances. Peyton Hendershot had 60 yards receiving with a score and D.J. Matthews had 120 yards receiving with 28 yards rushing and a touchdown to pace the Hoosiers. Ridder had 210 yards passing plus 45 rushing yards for Cincinnati. IU is now 1-2 with a pair of losses to top ten teams. Make no mistake, this was a game IU had every opportunity to win and they will need to mentally recover very quickly to try and pull this season back together.

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