Game Wrap and Reaction: Indiana 33 Western Kentucky 31
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Image: Indiana University Athletics
Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
Opponent: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Location: Saturday, September 25, 2021
Why They Played: The Hoosiers and Hilltoppers met as part of a two-for-one series that was set up during the Fred Glass Era.
What The Game Meant: This was a must-win for the Hoosiers as they wrapped up the non-conference schedule. For the Hilltoppers it was a chance for a Group of Five upset over a Big Ten squad at home.
Top Offensive Performers
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Indiana- After struggling with inconsistency and turnovers the first three weeks, Penix regained his All-Big Ten form as he completed 35-of-53 passes for 373 yards. His only touchdown came on the ground.
Ty Fryfogle, WR, Indiana- Another struggling Hoosier busted out Saturday night. The pre-season All-American made 10 catches for 98 yards. Nine of his catches went for first downs.
Stephen Carr, TE, Indiana- Carr recorded his second 100-yard game with the Hoosiers Saturday night. His running set the tone early and helped set up the offense for success early. Carr finished with 125 total yards and two touchdowns.
Bailey Zappe, QB, Western Kentucky- The Texas quarterback can sling it with the best of them and can run the Air Raid offense to perfection. After leading the nation in passing last season, Zappe took his talents up a level. He finished 31-of-44 passing for 365 yards and three touchdowns.
Jerreth Sterns, WR, Western Kentucky- WKU had 10 receivers catch passes Saturday and Sterns led them all with seven catches for 82 yards.
Top Defensive Performers
Micah McFadden, LB, Indiana- McFadden led the Hoosiers with 12 tackles (Eight Solo) and a sack. His presence on defense steadied the Hoosiers after being ejected last week.
A.J. Brathwaite, Safety, Western Kentucky- Led all defenders with 15 tackles. He had one sack and forced a fumble as well.
Special Team Performance
The Charles Campbell Show was in full effect Saturday night and the Hoosiers do not win without him. Campbell tied a program-record with four made field goals. He connected from 46,37,25 and 48 yards out.
James Evans only punted twice, but had his best game of his young career. The punt return game for the Hoosiers took a big blow with D.J. Matthews going down with a knee injury. Jacolby Hewitt returned three kicks for 56 yards.
The only real issue was why Chris Freeman was kicking off early in the game, a kick that went out of bounds. Jared Smolar is very solid on kickoffs and it’s difficult to explain why he is not on every kickoff.
Key Stat(s)
38:14
I am not a huge time of possession person anymore. However, it still plays a role in keeping an offense of the sideline and that’s exactly what IU did well Saturday night. They held the ball for nearly two-thirds of the game and had the Hoosiers been more efficient on offense and turned a couple of field goals into touchdowns it would have been a blowout. It is amazing that the Hilltoppers had just nine drives. That speaks volumes to how the Hoosiers executed the game plan.
Turning Point
With 7:17 seconds left in the third quarter the Hoosiers called a defensive timeout with WKU at the IU 16-yard line. The Hilltoppers had scored touchdowns on back-to-back drives and were poised to take the lead. After the time out the Hilltoppers gained just 121 yards on 22 plays which 10 points to show for it.
I Knew it Was Over When…
Penix hit Fryfogle for a 10-yard gain and a first down on third and eight with about 1:50 left on the clock.
Players of the Game
Charles Campbell, IU- Penix and Fryfogle had big games, but it was the leg of Campbell that put 15 points up on the board. He is such a luxury for the Hoosiers to have when the offense stalls inside the opponents’ 40-yard line.
Bailey Zappe, WKU- Zappe ran the offense to near perfection. He showed accuracy and arm strength and put the IU defense in vulernable positions.
What I took away from the game
This win has been way undervalued by the IU fan base. The Hoosiers faced the nation’s top passing offense, played in front of a raucous record-breaking crowd on the road and fought through injuries and some missed opportunities to walk out with a win in a game they absolutely had to have.
The offense got off to a much-needed hot start and finally Michael Penix Jr. looked like the All-Big Ten quarterback he has been in the past. It was good to see Fryfogle and Hendershot become more involved in the offense as well.
The offense could have been more efficient in the red zone, but after last week’s three-for-six the Hoosiers scored on all five trips. Sure, you wish they were all touchdowns, but the Hoosiers took the points and it paid off.
Defensively, the Hoosiers faces a really difficult task in trying to shut down a hyper-speed pass heavy offense. While the Hoosiers did not record a takeaway, they did just enough to win. It was an offensive scheme they rarely see and when executed well, it is really tough to stop.
The Hoosiers are back on schedule so to speak, but next week will show just how far this team has come since the debacle at Iowa. Penn State is looking for revenge as they are STILL up in arms that one call may have gone against them in the 36-35 loss to the Hoosiers in 2020. Happy Valley should be electric as the No. 4 Nittany Lions host IU under the lights.