Written by T.J. Inman

After a season-opening victory over Ball State that was closer than expected, the Indiana Hoosiers made sure the home opener was a much more comfortable affair. The Hoosiers scored on their opening possession and never looked back, opening up a 21-0 lead by the end of the first quarter and walloping Eastern Illinois 52-0 in the first meeting ever between the two schools. Indiana was dominant in every phase, out gaining their FCS opposition 555-116 and allowing only five first downs to the Panthers. Indiana was able to get playing time for a majority of the players that dressed and still do whatever they wanted on a sun-splashed afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

Indiana took the opening kickoff and began the first possession at the 41 yard line. Despite a pair of penalties that backed the Hoosiers up 20 yards, Michael Penix Jr. found Miles Marshall from 12 yards out to put Indiana ahead 7-0. The IU defense penetrated the backfield on all three of EIU’s play in their first drive with the ball, forcing the Panthers into a quick three and out. The Hoosiers took over at the 32 and marched down the field quickly. Stevie Scott finished the possession with a touchdown run from four yards out to give IU a 14-0 lead. James Head sacked the Panthers Johnathan Brantley, forcing another punt. This time, the punt was blocked by Aaron Casey and the Hoosiers took over at the EIU 32 yard line. Whop Philyor broke several tackles on a 28 yard reception and Cole Gest pounded it in from four yards out to cap a two-play drive and give the Hoosiers a 21-0 lead. Eastern Illinois was forced to punt again after another three and out and the Hoosiers ended the first quarter with a three score lead. Ty Fryfogle dropped what should have been a touchdown and IU was forced to punt. The Panthers finally got a first down but their drive was stuffed. The Hoosiers had to punt for a second straight possession but the Eastern Illinois Panthers could not get anything going against the Hoosiers suffocating defense. After another EIU punt, Indiana took over at the 20 yard line and embarked on a 10 play, 80 yard drive that ended with a Penix touchdown pass to Peyton Hendershot to give IU a 28-0 lead. Eastern Illinois again went three and out and IU took over on the 36 yard line with 1:19 remaining in the first half. The Hoosiers inserted Peyton Ramsey and on the first play of the drive, he threw a pass in the flat to Ronnie Walker and the running back from Virginia did the rest, taking it 64 yards down the sideline for a touchdown. The Hoosiers entered the locker room with a 35-0 lead.

The Indiana Hoosiers continued their exceptional play as the second half began, forcing EIU to punt. The Panthers pinned IU at the four yard line and the Hoosiers stuck with Peyton Ramsey at quarterback. He led IU on a 96 yard drive with two nice passes to Donavan Hale, including a 43 yard completion to a wide open Hale that the senior walked into the end zone for a 42-0 lead. IU’s defense continued to dominate and Sampson James scored his first career touchdown, pounding it in from a couple of yards out to go up 49-0. Redshirt freshman Jack Tuttle was able to finish the contest as the Hoosiers continued to rotate personnel and back-up kicker Charles Campbell hit an impressive 48 yard field goal that gave IU a 52-0 advantage. The 52 point victory is a new Memorial Stadium record for margin of victory for Indiana and the Hoosiers were dominant in every way possible. Michael Penix Jr. was 14-20 for 197 yards with two touchdowns in less than one half of work and Peyton Ramsey was 13-14 for 226 yards with two touchdowns. The Hoosiers are 2-0 and they will now open up the Big Ten by hosting powerhouse Ohio State.

Hoosier Huddle will have coverage and reaction to this win from Bloomington and then a full preview of the upcoming clash with Ohio State.

The Huddle

Hoosiers Overwhelm Panthers 52-0 to Move to 2-0

Hoosier Huddle