Gophers Cruise Past Hapless Hoosiers 35-14 in IU's Home Finale

Image: Minnesota Athletics

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

Indiana University is winless in the Big Ten and the Minnesota Golden Gophers made sure that remained the case, walloping the Hoosiers 35-7 in Bloomington to drop IU to 2-9 on the season. Minnesota was paced by a balanced offense, throwing for 196 yards and rushing for 197 yards but the story of the game was IU’s completely inept offense. IU had a successful first drive but the attack went downhill after that and managed a total of 218 yards. True freshman Donaven McCulley struggled mightily, throwing for only 17 yards on three of seven passing.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers began the game with the ball and converted four third downs, working their way inside the ten-yard line. IU’s defense stiffened, stopping Minnesota on both third and fourth down to take the ball at the nine-yard line. The Hoosiers used Donaven McCulley’s legs to move down the field on a 14-play drive that went 91 yards and ended in a McCulley rushing touchdown to give IU a 7-0 lead. The Hoosiers then forced a three and out and had a chance to seize early control of the contest. The first drive for IU proved to be a mirage as the Hoosiers went three and out and never really looked competent again on that side of the ball. Minnesota went 68 yards and Ky Thomas dove into the end zone for a two-yard score to tie the game. The Hoosiers again went three and out and the defense blew a coverage that allowed Minnesota’s tight end a free path inside the ten-yard line. Ky Thomas scored on another short run to make it 14-7 with less than one minute remaining in the half. After gaining nothing on first down, IU called a timeout and Donaven McCulley threw an ill-advised pass that was intercepted. The Gophers took advantage of the field position and Chris Autman-Bell caught a touchdown pass right before the half ended. With IU’s inept attack, the game’s outcome was no longer in doubt.

The Hoosiers got a first down to begin the second half but a personal foul on Matthew Bedford stalled the drive and IU punted it away. Minnesota got into IU territory but had to punt. They pinned IU at the two-yard line, the Hoosiers had to punt and Minnesota took advantage of more good field advantage with another touchdown reception for Chris Autman-Bell. With the score 28-7, IU attempted to throw the ball downfield but Donaven McCulley badly underthrew his receiver and tossed his second interception of the day. Minnesota had to punt and IU put walk-on Grant Gremel in at quarterback. It made no difference as IU went three and out yet again, giving the ball back to Minnesota. The Golden Gophers were content to kill the clock, eventually punting back to IU as Gremel continued to play at quarterback. IU got a couple of first downs and then failed to convert on fourth down. Minnesota took over with good field position yet again and Mar’Keise Irving wiggled into the end zone for another rushing touchdown for the away team to make it 35-7. Indiana looked likely to run out the clock but an offsides penalty on Minnesota allowed the Hoosiers a chance to throw to AJ Barner followed by a touchdown pass from Grant Gremel to Malachi Holt-Bennett. It was the first career touchdown pass for Gremel and the first touchdown catch for the freshman Holt-Bennett. The game ended 35-14 and IU will next travel to Purdue to end the 2021 campaign.