Game Wrap and Reaction: Louisville 21 Indiana 14

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Opponent: Louisville Cardinals

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Why They Played: The Hoosiers and Cardinals played the first of what was supposed to be a three-game series. IU had withdrawn from the last two games earlier in the week.

What The Game Meant: This was the first of seven “toss-up” games on IU’s schedule. A win could have pumped some life into the fan base and given the team more momentum heading into the end of September. The loss was deflating, but there are still six of those toss-ups left.

Top Offensive Performers

Jaylin Lucas, RB, Indiana- Lucas was IU’s best offensive player. Walt Bell finally got him involved in the passing game. Lucas had a career-high 10 catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. He added 29 yards on the ground as well.

Tayven Jackson, QB, Indiana- Jackson had the best game of his young career after overcoming a jittery start in the first half. Jackson completed 24-of-34 passes for 299 yards, 213 yards in the second half.

Jamari Thrash, WR, Louisville- Thrash’s big first half sunk the Hoosiers as he hauled in four passes for 185 yards. He was shut down in the second half.

Jahwar Jordan, RB, Louisville- Jordan ran for 113 yards and was the dagger for the Cardinals in the second half.

Top Defensive Performers

Aaron Casey, LB, Indiana- Casey had another double-digit tackle game including three tackles for loss and two sacks. He also provided the highlight of the day, blowing up a reverse for a big loss.

Louis Moore, DB, Indiana- Moore recovered the onside kick on special teams and then made nine tackles (seven solo stops).

Cam’Ron Kelly, DB, Louisville- Kelly led all players with 12 tackles including two for a loss. He also picked off a pass.

Devin Neal, Safety, Louisville- Neal had eight tackles and two tackles for loss coming up from his safety position.

Special Team Performance

The Hoosiers changed momentum with a huge special teams play with the onside kick to open the second half. There were no penalties on special teams this week either. Chris Freeman hit both extra points. The Hoosier coverage teams did well in limiting return.

James Evans had an inconsistent game and Jaylin Lucas was neutralized in the return game. IU actually won the field position battle.

Key Stat(s)

184

The Cardinals ran for 184 yards on 39 carries, which is a 4.7 yard per carry average. IU’ss top priority was to stop the run, they failed and it was costly.

Turning Point

The onside kick to open the second half turned the tide of the game in IU’s favor, but a goal line stop with 4:29 left in the fourth quarter extinguished the Hoosier comeback bid and was the ultimate turning point.

I Knew it Was Over When…

Indiana gave up a first down run with 4:29 left in the fourth quarter. IU would not get the ball back down 21-14.

Players of the Game

Tayven Jackson, Indiana- Jackson found his game in the second half as he became much more accurate and completed several big plays down field.

Jawhar Jordan, Louisville- Indiana shut down Louisville’s passing game in the second half, but Jordan ran the ball well and ended the game with his legs.

What I took away from the game

Indiana was a few inches from completing a 21-point comeback on Saturday in a moment that they hope does not define the season. The first half of the game was abysmal as IU’s defense was gashed for 306 yards and three scores while the offense moved the ball, but stalled in Louisville territory on every promising drive.

The second half is what Hoosier fans hope the rest of the season will be. Allen was aggressive coming out of halftime with an onside kick, the offense spread out and threw the ball down field and the defense forced a takeaway and shut out the potent Cardinal offense.

There were plenty of plays IU would love to have back, football is more than just one play, but the fourth down stop on the goal line will stick out the most. The play flat didn’t work for many reasons. First, IU had their most success when spreading out the defense, on this play they pulled everyone in tight. Second, the play was too slow to develop and allowed the edge to stop Josh Henderson’s second effort. Should IU have tried something else? Sure. Would it have worked? Who knows.

The hope is that iU found their offensive identity in the second half and it can carry over to Akron next week and Maryland on September 30th. The Hoosiers need to put four quarters together against Power Five opponents. 

The loss stings because it was a winnable game against a fanbase that is in the same area as IU fans. A win could have really propelled IU the rest of the season and this loss has soured even more people on IU football.

IU is now 0-1 in toss-up games with six left to play. They need to go 4-2 the rest of the way in those games to have a shot at bowl eligibility.

What’s Next

Indiana will be back in Memorial Stadium for a 7:30 pm kickoff against the Akron Zips on Saturday.