Hoosier Defense Irons Out Wrinkles for Comfortable 27-11 Win Over Maryland
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Photo: indiana University athletics
Written by Amanda Pavelka (@amandapavelka3)
It was the most sluggish start Indiana’s defense has played so far this season against the Mike Locksley and the Maryland Terrapins on Saturday. A sloppy quarter is all it took, though, for Hoosier defense to make appropriate adjustments and step up to hold the Terps back for a 27-11 victory.
The Terps started with possession of the ball, and Taulia Tagovailoa led the offense as they threw their way down the field with ease. Several missed tackles and sacks by IU and four first downs later, the Terps found themselves in scoring range. IU defense forced the Terps to a 29-yard kick, that luckily for the Hoosiers, was missed.
The Hoosiers allowed 91 passing yards and 28 rushing yards that allowed the Terps seven first downs in the first quarter. It was by the Hoosiers’ pure luck for that they were not scored on in the first quarter as a result.
“Personally, I think we started off kind of slow,” linebacker Cam Jones said. “Things did not go the way we wanted them too. We knew that we had to step up big time and get their offensive off the field and put ours back on the field so that they can make plays. Coach stressed to us that everybody just needs to do their job, lock in, and stay focused on the details.”
Even up 7-0, things weren’t looking great for the Hoosiers, until Tiawan Mullen caught Indiana’s first interception with 23 second left in the first quarter.
“He was just a one read player,” Mullen said. “Wherever he looked that was the way he was going to throw the ball. We did a lot of film studying on him, and we came up with a lot of takeaways. Which way he looked is the way we wanted to attack.”
Mullen lit the spark for what became one of three interceptions for IU in Bloomington on Saturday. It was the third straight game in a row that the Hoosiers have had three interceptions.
Jaylin Williams had the second pick that he couldn’t keep control of, and ended up fumbling.
“Defense continues to create takeaways, which are huge,” Tom Allen said. “Got three more again today. Still frustrated that we fumbled that one back. I do not really know why that has happened twice now but we will work more on ball security with our DBs. But, at the same time, continue to be really, really good on third downs and did a great job taking the ball away, which is a big combination.”
It was not until the third quarter that Hoosier defense looked up, and it was DK Bonhomme’s safety that brought their confidence back.
The third quarter was a turning point for IU as they held Maryland to negative five yards. The Terps were only able to convert on third down four of 21 times in the second half as the Hoosiers held them scoreless until the final two minutes of the game.
“The thing that was so impressive about defense was the red zone defense that we were able to play,” Allen said. “They got some opportunities down there early and we just kept snuffing them out. They missed the field goal that first time and then got takeaways forced them not to be able to finish in those situations. So, you have got to play great defense if you want to have a chance each week.”
Jonathan King had the sack that caused Tagovailoa to throw his third pick, that Micah McFadden picked up to seal the game for IU.
The Hoosiers now lead the nation in passes intercepted, with 16 total so far in 2020.
“It’s not by chance, I promise you that,” Allen said. “Just watch the film. These takeaways are created. We work hard to create takeaways. Talk to the quarterbacks after they play us."
It was far from the best defensive performance, but the Hoosier defense found a way to a comfortable win. Indiana moves on 5-1 as they look forward to next Saturday’s trip to face Wisconsin.