Five Takeaways From Indiana's 44-41 Double Overtime Win Over Purdue
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Image: Amanda Pavelka Hoosier Huddle
Written by Andrew Walker
What an absolute nail-biter. The Hoosiers and the Boilermakers met for the 122nd time for the Old Oaken Bucket in West Lafayette. The game started out in Indiana’s favor, going up 14-0, but after a stalled offense starting in the third quarter and into the end of the fourth, the Hoosier victory was anything but sealed. Purdue’s ground game heated up just as the Hoosier defense became anaemic. Indiana effectively shot themselves in the foot as the fourth quarter wound down. After barely surviving overtime, then double overtime, it was Peyton Ramsey, in what seemed like the gutsiest play ever to punch it in for the win. What a victory for the Hoosiers. The Bucket is headed back to Bloomington.
1. The Ground Game Was Paramount
In the pouring rain most of the day, the Hoosiers and Boilermakers undoubtedly played smash mouth football. Stevie Scott not participating meant true freshman Sampson James had to step into the game and make plays. Make plays he did. (Stats here). James and Ronnie Walker were key to the Hoosiers’ success in the rain. They both ran so well for the first two quarters, struggled a bit in the third, but picked up the productivity in the fourth as the elements turned from rain, to unrelenting wind.
2. Peyton Ramsey Played Inspired Football
What a tough football player. Never mind all the story narrative stuff from earlier in the season about selflessly staying at IU after losing the starting job, he’s just a flat out, tough as nails football guy. Pure grit. Ramsey finished the game with 337 yards and three touchdowns on 23/39 passing. Ramsey was the one to punch it in at the end of 2OT to seal the win. He finished with five total touchdowns
Image: Amanda Pavelka Hoosier Huddle
3. Logan Justus Couldn’t Get it Done
Justus’ 14/14 perfect season up until the bucket game is no more. Justus missed three field goals, one from 40, 42 and 26, respectively. The wind and rain didn’t do anything to help Justus, but those are still up to the senior Lou Garza Award semifinalist to make. Leaving nine points on the board due to missed kicks is inexcusable. Even though the Hoosiers came away victorious, this kicking performance will serve as a reminder of how the Hoosiers can choose to either win or lose a game based on the little things.
4. Hoosier Defense Undisciplined
Late in the third quarter and into the fourth, the defense started getting antsy. Not wrapping up, not making plays, committing inexcusable penalties, the whole lot. Tackling started to become an issue in the fourth, as the Boilermakers were getting insane yards after the catch. A few times, what could’ve been a three and out by a huge tackle for loss turned into an automatic first down for the Boilermakers. Missed tackles and missed assignments were huge for the Hoosiers late in the game, but they prevailed.
5. Purdue’s Ground Game Came Alive
The Boilermaker rushing attack suddenly came alive in their last game of the season and had an incredible game. It was the biggest surprise of the afternoon by far. Zander Horvath had over 100 rushing yards for the first time this season, and the Boilermaker offense had their first 100 yard rusher overall for the first time this season. It was the Boilermaker ground game and Indiana’s complete lack of defensive discipline is what lead the game to overtime, but the Hoosiers came out on top.