Big Third Quarter Dooms Hoosiers, OSU Prevails 49-21
/
Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
For the better part of three quarters, the Indiana Hoosiers were battling the second-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes blow for blow. When Richard Lagow found Ian Thomas for a touchdown that gave the lead back to the Indiana Hoosiers at 21-20, college football fans around the country likely began to consider an upset on the first Thursday night of the season as a real possibility. However, that was just about the last positive thing to happen for the Hoosiers as Ohio State took control of the contest and marched to a comfortable 49-21 victory. The Buckeyes got a terrific debut from freshman J.K. Dobbins as he rushed for 181 yards. JT Barrett struggled during the first half but he eventually found some rhythm and settled in for a good performance, rushing for 61 yards and throwing for 304 yards, much of it coming on big runs after catches from his receivers. Ohio State dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, out-rushing the Hoosiers 292-17 and pressuring Richard Lagow all night. In short, the outstanding Ohio State defensive line lived up to their billing, and then some and their dominance eventually wore down IU.
The night began with tremendous promise and the attention and atmosphere provided by the season-opening sell-out is something IU doesn't often get to experience for football games. The Buckeyes were stopped short of the end zone on their opening drive, settling for a field goal. The Hoosiers responded with a terrific drive as Simmie Cobbs made a pair of nice catches and Richard Lagow found senior tight end Ian Thomas for a gorgeous 18-yard reception as IU went 87 yards for the opening touchdown. The teams traded possessions until Ohio State added another field goal to cut the IU lead to 7-6. Again, the Hoosiers responded. This time, it was Simmie Cobbs scoring on an eight-yard reception to cap off an 80 yard drive that put the Hoosiers back up 14-6. Ohio State wised up and turned to the run, hammering out a 75 yard drive that resulted in a one-yard touchdown for backup running back Antonio Williams. The first half came to end with IU leading 14-13 and the two teams combining to run 100 plays.
Ohio State stopped the Hoosiers on the first drive of the second half and JT Barrett dove in from two yards out to give the Buckeyes the lead at 20-14 but IU answered with the aforementioned score from Thomas, his second of the game. The lead didn't last though as Paris Campbell caught a short pass and scampered down the sideline for a 74-yard touchdown that would put Ohio State up for good. They would add another long passing touchdown and then ground the Hoosiers down and killed off the game and any drama associated with it. Barrett accounted for four touchdowns in the second half and the Buckeyes looked every bit like a College Football Playoff contender as they cruised to the 49-21 victory. Richard Lagow was very impressive for most of the night, throwing for 410 yards with three touchdowns despite being under constant harassment from the Ohio State defensive line. Simmie Cobbs had 149 yards in his first game back from injury to pace the Hoosiers.
Indiana had a lot to be proud of in the first half but the time for moral victories has long passed and Tom Allen expects for IU to win one of these games against a powerhouse program this season. It was not be tonight and credit needs to be given to the Buckeyes for their impressive second half as they reeled of 29 straight points to end the contest. IU now has nine days to get ready for a massive clash in Charlottesville as they travel to Virginia to take on the Cavaliers that has a "must-win" vibe to it.