Hoosiers Storm Back to Capture Spittoon in Double Overtime

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

The Indiana Hoosiers entered Saturday’s game as cold as the weather in East Lansing. After beginning the season 3-0, IU lost seven in a row and were eliminated from bowl contention. The Michigan State Spartans were playing for a sixth win and a trip to a bowl game and both were battling for the Old Brass Spittoon, the traveling trophy that goes to the victor of the annual clash between IU and MSU. A decent amount of snow fell in East Lansing on Friday night and a steady wind blew throughout the game. That hampered IU’s ability to pass but an amazing second-half comeback and dramatic double-overtime performance gave the Hoosiers a memorable 39-31 victory despite only two completed passes all game.

Jaylin Lucas began the game with a great kick return to set the Hoosiers up at midfield. IU went with Dexter Williams at quarterback and he wasted no time showing off what he brings to the offense. Shaun Shivers picked up a first down and on the fourth play of the drive, Williams broke loose down the sideline on a read option play and scored on a 34-yard run to make it 7-0. Michigan State began its first series with a flea flicker completed to Keon Coleman for 39 yards. A pass interference penalty on Jaylin Williams set the Spartans up at the two-yard line but the IU defense stood tall and held MSU to a 20-yard field goal to make it 7-3. The Hoosiers offense got off to a great start but was completely ineffective the rest of the half. Dexter Williams got a first down on a scramble but IU stalled at midfield and punted the ball away. MSU moved the ball to midfield to midfield but again struggled in short-yardage and were stuffed at midfield. The Hoosiers were unable to take advantage, moving backwards on offense and then James Evans shanked a punt to set Michigan State at the 36-yard line. Jalen Berger had a pair of long runs and a pass from six yards out was deflected right into the lap of Maliq Carr in the end zone to put MSU ahead 10-7. The next drive was much like the previous one for IU. The Hoosiers went three and out and James Evans shanked a punt. This one resulted in the Spartans getting the ball at the 31-yard line. Jalen Berger had a pair of nice runs and a pass interference penalty on Tiawan Mullen in the end zone set up a short touchdown run for Elijah Collins to make the score 17-7. The Hoosiers had a penalty on the kick return and were backed up at the eight-yard line and again failed to pick up a first down. Michigan State had a good punt return and got the ball at the Indiana 34-yard line. A few plays later, Keon Coleman caught a pass in the end zone from Payton Thorne to give Michigan State 24 unanswered points and a 24-7 lead at halftime.

The Indiana defense forced a three and out from Michigan State and took over on the 21-yard line. After only gaining 81 yards in the first half, the Hoosiers gained 79 yards on the first play of the second half. Shaun Shivers exploded through a hole on the right side of the line and scored on IU’s longest play of the season (79 yards). Indiana stuffed a third and short for Michigan State and had a chance to seize momentum but the offense could not take it and went three and out. Elijah Collins scored his second touchdown of the day on a 31-yard run to put MSU back ahead by 17 points and it appeared the Hoosiers chances had vanished. However, Jaylin Lucas returned the ensuing kickoff 91 yards, scoring his second kick-off touchdown of the season and getting IU back in it at 31-21. On the very next play, Payton Thorne threw into traffic, the ball was deflected and Jonathan Haynes intercepted the pass to give IU the ball in Michigan State territory. The Hoosiers could not convert on third and four and opted for a 41 yard field goal that was made by Charles Campbell. With the score 31-24, IU’s defense again stepped up and forced a Spartan punt. The Hoosiers took over at the 30-yard line and Jaylin Lucas ran for a first down followed by Dexter Williams with a long run to get inside the 15-yard line. On fourth and short, Tom Allen elected to go for it and Josh Henderson powered ahead to convert it. One play later, Henderson found a hole on the left side and scored to tie the game with 12:59 remaining. The Spartans failed to convert on fourth and two and then IU had to punt. Michigan State took over at the 26-yard line and got a few first downs to move into scoring territory. On fourth and two with 1:46 remaining, Michigan State converted a pass play that was nearly dropped and kept possession. They ran the clock down and kicked a field goal from 23 yards out but Ben Patton missed it wide, giving the Hoosiers new hope and sending the game to overtime.

Michigan State began the overtime session with the ball and Elijah Collins ran the ball to the ten-yard line. A false start made it 1st and goal from the 15 and on third and goal from the 11-yard line Payton Thorne threw to the end zone but it was incomplete. A 28-yard field goal attempt was stymied by a high snap and James Head blocked the kick. Josh Henderson got a first down to move the ball inside the 15-yard line and another three runs moved the ball to the nine-yard line but Charles Campbell’s 27-yard attempt was blocked and the game continued to a second overtime. On first down, Dexter Williams threw a nice pass to AJ Barner who ran to the two-yard line and on the second play of the drive, Shaun Shivers dove into the end zone. The two-point conversion was converted on a crossing route that was completed to Barner to move Indiana ahead 39-31. After one first down, MSU faced a fourth and seven and Thorne’s pass to the end zone fell incomplete to end the game.

It was a bizarre day statistically as IU completed a grand total of one pass for five yards heading into overtime but managed to score 31 points thanks to a kickoff return score and some explosive running plays from Shaun Shivers and Dexter Williams. In total, the Hoosiers had 288 yards compared to MSU’s 540 but IU ran for 257 yards and 5.8 yards per carry. Dexter Williams ran for 86 yards with a touchdown, Shaun Shivers had 115 yards with two scores and Josh Henderson added 36 yards and a touchdown. Indiana won for the second straight time in East Lansing and heads into next week’s Old Oaken Bucket showdown on a high-note. Hoosier Huddle will have continuing coverage of IU’s Old Brass Spittoon victory.