Hoosiers Test Buckeyes but Fall 38-17

J.T. Barrett led Ohio State to a 38-17 victory over Indiana. Image: Getty Images

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

The Indiana Hoosiers went to Ohio Stadium as massive underdogs but they gave the #2 Ohio State Buckeyes all they could handle before falling 38-17. The Hoosiers struggled to move the ball against one of the nation's best defenses, gaining only 99 yards on the ground and quarterback Richard Lagow was limited to only 182 yards through the air. However, IU's improved defense was a pest to the Buckeyes explosive offense, holding them in check for much of the afternoon. Ohio State, which was averaging 61 points at home, scored 38 points with 14 of those coming on possessions that started inside of IU's ten yard line. J.T. Barrett was only 8-20 for a measly 91 yards but he ran for 133 yards and Ohio State eventually hammered out 288 yards on the ground and OSU outgained the Hoosiers 383-281.  

Indiana took the lead on a short Griffin Oakes field goal after an Ohio State fumble was recovered by Patrick Dougherty at the Ohio State 29 yard line. Ohio State's Tyler Durbin connected on a 37 yard attempt to tie the score at three at the end of the first quarter. Lagow had a pass that appeared to be incomplete get ruled a fumble that was recovered by Ohio State at the IU ten yard line and the Buckeyes Mike Weber scored the game's first touchdown on a nine-yard scamper to make it 10-3. The Buckeyes added another score as Curtis Samuel scored from five yards out and it appeared Ohio State was going to run away before halftime. However, Richard Lagow led IU on a terrific drive and found Mitchell Paige for an 18 yard touchdown to make it 17-10 with just over a minute to play in the first half. The Buckeyes Paris Campbell quickly seized back momentum as he returned the ensuing kick-off to the IU six yard line and J.T. Barrett ran it in to make it 24-10 at the half.

IU was not content to fade away. They came out of the locker room and marched 89 yards on 13 plays and Lagow found Danny Friend wide open in the end zone thanks to a tremendously designed play that shook the tight end free. Ohio State led 24-17 and it was clear the Hoosiers weren't going to be an easy out. The Buckeyes quickly responded with a nice drive, entirely driven by the ground game and Mike Weber scored his second touchdown as he dove into the end zone from one yard out to make it 31-17. Both defenses owned the game from there on out as the two offenses struggled to put anything of substance together. IU's final chance to put the Hoosiers under significant pressure came when A'Shon Riggins intercepted a pass by Barrett and returned it to the OSU 11 yard line. IU ran the ball to the six yard line but was stuffed on fourth and one. A touchdown would have cut the deficit to seven points but it was not to be. A late J.T. Barrett passing touchdown concluded the scoring. 

The Hoosiers return home to host the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a Homecoming clash and the Ohio State Buckeyes travel to Madison to take on the Badgers.

NOTES and OBSERVATIONS

-Indiana was, once again, without Dan Feeney, Jacob Robinson and Cole Gest. The Hoosiers hope to have them all, particularly Feeney, back for next week's Nebraska game.

-The improvement in Indiana's defense is a pleasure to watch. The secondary was superb today and the Hoosiers front pressured Barrett and the Buckeyes all game. They should be very proud of the work they put in this afternoon. If they continue to progress and play like we've seen they are capable of, the Hoosiers will have a chance in most every game they play.

-The offensive line had a hard time with OSU's defensive front. IU struggled to run the ball and Lagow was pressured on most dropbacks. The Buckeyes defense is legit.

-It was a solid day for punter Joseph Gedeon. Some of his punts didn't look great but he had a pair of them downed inside of the five and the results were typically very satisfactory, even if they didn't always look great.

-Today was a frustrating game because the Hoosiers had some chances to make the outcome of this one in doubt right down the end. Despite some missed opportunities, I was encouraged by what I saw and I'm excited to see if they can continue that kind of play next Saturday. If they can get healthy and play well, they'll have a legitimate chance to knock off their second ranked opponent of the season.