Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

The Indiana Hoosiers incredibly difficult schedule continued as they battled their fifth top ten team. On Saturday night, #5 Ohio State invaded Memorial Stadium and the outcome would be the same it’s been every other time the two squads have met since 1988. The Buckeyes completely dismantled a beat-up Indiana Hoosiers squad, leaving Bloomington with a 54-7 victory. Ohio State showcased why they have the nation’s best offense, rarely failing to score on a drive and their defense lived in IU’s backfield, getting 14 tackles for loss and taking advantage of IU’s weak offensive line. The Buckeyes ultimately outgained IU 539-128 and the outcome was never in doubt.

Ohio State took the ball first and quickly marched down the field. Jeremy Ruckert caught a few passes to get them into position and Mayan Williams capped off the 12 play drive with an 11-yard touchdown run. IU’s offense took the field and looked the best they had at any point this season. Jack Tuttle was in rhythm and the Hoosiers converted four third downs, including a third and goal that ended with a Tuttle touchdown pass to Peyton Hendershot from seven yards out. Jack Tuttle was hurt on the play by an Ohio State defensive lineman and that was about as good as things got for Indiana. The Buckeyes quickly moved across midfield and Treveyon Henderson, OSU’s exceptional running back, scampered in from 21 yards out for the go-ahead score. True freshman Donavan McCulley took over for Jack Tuttle at quarterback and IU went three and out, giving the ball back to the Buckeyes who marched 51 yards and Henderson scored another touchdown, this time on a screen pass. Walk-on quarterback Grant Gremel got his shot for IU and the Hoosiers again went three and out. The snap of the punt went through the hands of back-up punter Jared Smolar. The punter fell on the ball in the end zone and OSU was awarded two points for the safety. It was now 23-7 and the route was truly on. Ohio State again scored, this time from 16 yards out as C.J. Stroud connected with Chris Olave. Jack Tuttle was back in but only for one snap. The ball hit him in the hands but slipped away and we did not see the junior again. The Hoosiers again went three and out and Treveyon Henderson scored once more to make it 37-7. The next drive featured the same personnel and the same exact result. IU went three and out and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud threw to an open Jeremy Ruckert in the end zone. It was a 30 point second quarter for Ohio State and the #5 Buckeyes led 44-7 at half.

The Indiana Hoosiers opened the second half with the ball and Donavan McCulley had a couple of successful plays including a nice pass to Ty Fryfogle. However, the drive petered out and they failed a conversion on fourth and five to give the ball back to OSU. For the first time all game, IU’s defense forced a punt. Of course, the Hoosiers could not do anything with the ball and punted it back. Jeremy Ruckert scored another touchdown towards the end of the third quarter to make it 51-7. The two teams were largely running out the clock at this point but Ohio State added a 26-yard field goal to make the score 54-7 and finish the scoring with around nine minutes left. C.J. Stroud went 21 of 28 for 266 yards with four touchdowns while Treveyon Henderson had 81 yards rushing on just nine carries. There were really no notable performances for Indiana but Peyton Hendershot was able to catch five passes for 35 yards with a touchdown.

The Hoosiers hit the road for a must-win contest against the similarly struggling Maryland Terrapins. Sitting at 2-5 with #6 Michigan coming up after Maryland, IU is completely out of room for error if they are to return to a bowl game. Hoosier Huddle will have continuing coverage of this game and the upcoming trip to College Park.

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Buckeyes Blister the Hoosiers to Drop Indiana to 2-5

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