Hoosiers Hang On For 33-31 Win Over WKU

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

A record crowd showed up all black for a game under the lights in Bowling Green, Kentucky as Indiana University visited the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. The crowd was witness to a fun contest but IU never trailed and held on for a 33-31 victory to move to 2-2 on the season. The Hoosiers had 507 yards while WKU racked up 458 yards. Ultimately, a critical third down conversion sealed the win for the Hoosiers.

The Indiana Hoosiers had the ball to begin the contest and the offense got off to a very strong start. Michael Penix was on target and Stephen Carr ran the ball well as IU moved the ball with a balanced attack and finished the drive with a short plunge for the 7-0 lead. The opening drive took 4:45 off the clock and went 79 yards. Western Kentucky’s explosive offense did not get off to a similar start as IU’s defense forced a three and out and gave the ball back to the IU offense. However, on the punt return, D.J. Matthews crumpled to the turf with a non-contact knee injury that took him out of the contest. The electric playmaker is a big part of IU’s attack and his loss was a huge blow. Still, the Hoosiers were able to put together another nice drive as Michael Penix connected for long gains with Peyton Hendershot and Javon Swinton and then dove in for a 1-yard touchdown to make it 14-0. Western Kentucky’s offense got into rhythm with their second drive, going 77 yards on 15 plays and Adam Cofield dove into the end zone for a short touchdown run to make it 14-7. IU’s offense continued to move the ball well but the third drive would bring back an issue they had in the Cincinnati game: converting scoring chances. An intentional grounding penalty forced IU to kick a 51-yard field goal that was short. However, Western Kentucky was called for offsides and the ensuing 46-yard kick was good from Charles Campbell to give IU a 17-7 lead. The Hilltoppers advanced the ball quickly into IU territory but they were stuffed by Micah McFadden on third and short and fourth and short. The Hoosiers took back over at the 24-yard line and moved into scoring territory but again, the offense faltered and had to settle for a field goal. This time, Campbell nailed a 37-yard field goal and IU led 20-7. Western Kentucky fired back, marching down the field for a Daewood Davis touchdown to cap off a 7-play drive to make it 20-14 with 55 seconds left in the half. That was just enough time for the IU offense to get into scoring position and hit a short field goal as time expired. The halftime score was 23-14.

Western Kentucky’s offense picked up right where they left off, taking the first possession of the second half quickly down the field and scoring on a pass to Dalvin Smith. The Hilltoppers had cut the lead to two points at 23-21. Penix continued to move it well through the air, hitting on passes to Miles Marshall and Cam Buckley to move into field goal range. The offense could not break through to the end zone and had to settle for another field goal from Charles Campbell, this one from 48 yards. Western Kentucky answered with a field goal of their own as Brayden Narveson connected to make it 26-24. The next drive saw the first punt of the game as IU was unable to move it and James Evans punted for a touchback. IU’s defense did not surrender the lead, forcing a three and out to end the third quarter. The teams traded punts again before the Hoosiers got the ball at the 13-yard line and went on a 14 play drive that took 6:19 off the clock. The Hoosiers led 33-24 and had Western Kentucky facing a fourth and nine but the Hilltoppers refused to go quietly, converting for a first down and then Mathias Corley scored a touchdown to cut it to 33-31 with 2:43 left. IU faced a third and 8 with 1:55 left and failing to convert would have given WKU a chance to steal the win. Penix fired a laser to Ty Fryfogle and the senior held on for the first down and secured the victory.

IU suffered injuries to D.J. Matthews, Tiawan Mullen, Jaylin Williams and Raheem Layne so it was a costly and trying contest but the gritty win bounces IU back to 2-2. Michael Penix was 35-53 for 373 yards with a rushing touchdown. Stephen Carr had 109 yards with two scores. Bailey Zappe led the Hilltoppers with 365 yards and three touchdowns but IU’s defense did just enough to slow down the nation’s top passing attack and get the win. It only gets harder from here as IU heads to State College to play #6 Penn State.