Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

The annual battle for the Old Oaken Bucket is always a big deal but this one took on a little bit of extra meaning after the Iowa Hawkeyes lost to Nebraska on Friday afternoon. That loss opened the door for Purdue to win the Big Ten West for the first time with a victory over Indiana in Bloomington. After a strong start from Indiana, an injury to Dexter Williams changed the contest and Purdue coasted to a 30-16 victory over the depleted Indiana Hoosiers. The victory secured Purdue’s spot against the Michigan Wolverines next Saturday in Indianapolis.

The Purdue Boilermakers began the game with four plays that resulted in four first downs as they carved up IU’s defense to move down the field. However, the Indiana defense stiffened inside of scoring territory and held the Boilers to a 29-yard field goal from Mitchell Fineran to make it 3-0. IU quickly answered as Jaylin Lucas got an option toss from Dexter Williams and took it to the house for a 71-yard touchdown to give Indiana a 7-3 lead. Purdue’s next drive was stymied by a sack by Alfred Bryant and they punted the ball back to Indiana. The Hoosiers were running it very successfully with multi-back sets and Dexter Williams was orchestrating as they moved into Purdue territory near the end of the first quarter. The game changed though on a first down play that had Williams rolling out and attempting to change directions. The redshirt sophomore fell to the ground, clutching his leg, a sight all too familiar for Indiana fans and Hoosier quarterbacks. Connor Bazelak came in and the drive with a missed 44-yard field goal attempt from Charles Campbell. IU’s defense played very well the rest of the half, forcing a pair of punts from Purdue and the Hoosiers were able to end the half with a hard-fought first down on the ground and a big advantage in time of possession.

IU’s offense was clearly not the same without Dexter Williams and the Hoosiers went three and out to begin the second half, giving the ball to Purdue at the 18-yard line. The Boilermakers wasted no time getting in gear as Aidan O’Connell and Devin Mockobee connected on screen passes to get into scoring position and then O’Connell hit Payne Durham for the go-ahead touchdown from 15 yards out. IU went three and out again and Purdue moved into scoring position again with a penalty on Jaylin Williams. Devin Mockobee broke loose and evaded IU’s flailing defense for a 27-yard touchdown run to make it 17-7 and put Purdue firmly in the driver’s seat. The IU offense responded with a nice drive that again put them in scoring position but without the threat of a running game, the Hoosiers were forced to settle for a field goal attempt. The 36-yard try was blocked and it appeared Purdue could go for a knockout punch. The IU defense stepped up though and forced a punt that put the ball back in Bazelak’s hands. Finally, he was able to get into a bit of a rhythm, connecting on a few passes and getting some aid from a pass interference penalty. Yet again though, the Hoosiers were unable to capitalize for a touchdown as they were forced to attempt a 28-yard field goal. This time, Charles Campbell split the uprights to make it 17-10. Purdue did not let IU hope for long though as Aidan O’Connell found a wide-open Charlie Jones for a 60-yard score to put the Boilermakers ahead 24-10 with less than ten minutes remaining. The IU offense again moved the ball into Purdue territory and again stalled out near the red zone. Connor Bazelak missed a wide-open receiver on third down and the Hoosiers turned it over with an incomplete pass on fourth down. IU forced a three and out to get the ball back with less than six minutes remaining. The Hoosiers converted a fourth down to keep the drive alive but Bazelak continued to miss on his throws and they turned it over without another first down. Purdue was forced to punt once again but IU fumbled and Purdue ran it in for another score to make it 30-10 with 2:10 remaining. Indiana scored on the game’s final play as Josh Henderson took a screen pass into the end zone to make the final score 30-16.

The Indiana Hoosiers ended the season at 4-8 and enter the offseason with uncertainty at nearly every position. Questions must be asked about the direction of the program and what must be done to return Indiana to bowl contention. Hoosier Huddle will have ongoing coverage of this defeat and the impending offseason.

The Huddle

Hoosier Offense Breaks as Dexter Williams is Hurt in 30-16 Bucket Loss.

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