Fiascos on Special Teams Lead to the Hoosiers Downfall

Written By Nick Gonzales (@nrgonzales_)

The Hoosiers traveled to Columbus for one of the biggest games in program history and it did not fair out how they expected it. Besides the offensive struggles, the game became out of the Hoosiers control due to the special teams’ multiple fiascos.

“It seemed like we were in that end zone to our left for nine years. It was like a nightmare. We dropped a punt back there. Really, we were fortunate to go into halftime only seven points down. And they've been a great third quarter team, Ohio State. They had a big punt return. I was proud of the way we fought back and got within two scores there, 31-15, but I didn't like the fact we gave up the run and the touchdown at the end.” Curt Cignetti stated in his postgame press conference.

In the final two minutes of the first half, Indiana’s punter, James Evans, muffed the punt and was tackled at the 7-yard line setting up the Buckeyes for an easy score. Then, after a three and out to start the third quarter, Indiana’s special teams allowed a 79-yard punt return for a touchdown by Caleb Downs. This mixed with the offense’s inability to move the ball put the defense in a tricky situation. “There definitely was pressure on us,” D’Angelo Ponds told the media postgame, “Like being at the goal line multiple times off of turnovers. But we just got to respond and hold them to three at that point.”

Coach Cignetti seemed pleased by the overall performance of the defense. Early in the game when the Hoosiers were up 7 to nothing, Ohio State decided to run the ball on fourth and one at the Indiana two-yard line and the defense made an excellent stop. In the mid second quarter after the offense fumbled the ball at their own 18, Indiana knew they had to make a stop to prevent the Buckeyes from taking the lead, and they did just that. Will Howard made a throw and it was broken up by D’Angelo Ponds and intercepted by Jailin Walker. After that, the special teams collapsed and the game was virtually over.

“We went into the game plus-10 in turnover ratio and those (fumbled punt snaps) are like turnovers, right? Ohio State was plus-4 going in. The dropped punt is definitely like a touchdown and the punt return, there may have been a couple of (penalties) in the back that weren't called, but still. Yeah, it's not good. It's not good football.” Cignetti said when asked about the special teams’ poor performance.

With the number of times the Buckeyes got the ball in amazing field position, the Hoosiers did their best to fend them off. The Hoosiers’ defense has constantly proved themselves as a tough competitor all season long. They have been consistent and play every down with aggression, but they weren’t able to carry the load. For many, this was probably the first-time college football fans tuned into a Hoosiers game this season, let alone their life. Based on that, there are probably many who think the Hoosiers are overrated without knowing the full story.

“Talking with Coach Haines after the game, he just kind of describes it as an uncharacteristic game from us. A lot mistakes we made today that we don’t usually make, and credit to Ohio State to play a really good football game.” Aiden Fisher responded when asked if they showed who they really are during a postgame interview.

Fisher, and all the other players 100% believe that they did not show what they’re truly capable of in this game. However, it’s time to focus on the next game since that’s the most important game. Next Saturday, the Hoosiers are back in Bloomington hosting their rivals, the Purdue Boilermakers, for the chance to finish the season 11-1. The Indiana football season is far from over and the Hoosiers ensure they’ll never have a performance like this again.