Late Game Heroics Send Hoosiers to 33-30 OT Win Over WKU

Image: Indiana University Athletics

Written by Nathan Comp

Indiana (3-0) welcomed its second non-conference foe of the season to Bloomington on Saturday, September 17th, when Western Kentucky (2-1) traveled to Bloomington. This is the second of three meetings scheduled between the two programs, the third coming in 2029 after the 2020 matchup was cancelled due to COVID. After starting the season with two night games, Indiana kicked this one off at noon. While Western Kentucky controlled much of the game, late game heroics and another magical 4th quarter comeback preserved Indiana’s undefeated season.

Honorary captains Mike Woodson and Teri Moren joined the Hoosiers at midfield to start the game, where Indiana won the toss and elected to defer to the second half. Austin Reed and the Hilltopper offense took over from the 25 after a touchback, where they picked up an early first down before Dasan McCullough’s third sack of the season halted their progress and they were forced to punt. Indiana’s offense took over for the first time of the day where Caleb Murphy took over the starting center position along the offensive line, as Zach Carpenter was hurt in pregame warmups. They moved the ball into the redzone, but the drive ultimately stalled, and Indiana settled for a Charles Campbell field goal to lead 3-0.

Defensive back Kaleb Oliver for Western Kentucky had three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties called on him on the drive, but mysteriously was able to remain in the game. The Indiana defense took the field again and forced a turnover on downs for Western Kentucky, but the Hilltopper defense quickly returned the favor after a failed Shaun Shivers halfback dive up the middle was easily stuffed, and Indiana gave the ball back at midfield.

WKU’s offense took advantage of the short field and an Indiana defense that was on its heels to put the first touchdown of the day on the board and lead 7-3 after a 4-play drive. Indiana punted on its next offensive possession, but a great kick and downfield coverage allowed the Hoosier punt team to down the ball at the 1. The final play of the first quarter saw Aaron Casey nearly cause a safety on a tackle for loss. An evenly matched first quarter came to a close with WKU outgaining IU 109 to 105, both teams had five first downs, and both teams had rushed nine times for 18 yards.

The second quarter opened, and Indiana forced Western Kentucky to punt from their own endzone. The Hoosiers took advantage of great field position, driving six plays and 41 yards where Connor Bazelak found Andison Coby for his first catch and touchdown as a Hoosier. Indiana led 10-7, but not for long. Just 42 seconds later, a free kick out of bounds and poor secondary play saw Western Kentucky carve Indiana’s defense for a three-play, 65-yard drive that resulted in a 44-yard touchdown reception by Daewood Davis. Indiana’s offense responded with a ten-play drive of its own, but the drive once again stuttered in the redzone after what was ruled a backwards pass was recovered by Western Kentucky for the game’s first turnover.

Shaun Shivers seemingly could have easily picked up this fumble, but did not, and momentum was quickly shifted. Western Kentucky tacked on a field goal late in the second quarter to push their lead to seven points, which was the Hoosier deficit entering halftime. For the second straight week, Indiana entered the locker room at the halftime break feeling a bit deflated. The Hoosiers had just 10 points to show for their 13 first downs and 251 yards of total offense.

Indiana got the ball to start the second half and got things started with an 11-play drive, highlighted by a 32-yard Shaun Shivers carry. Unfortunately, momentum once again stalled in the redzone where Indiana was unable to get past the WKU 13-yard line. They settled for a field goal, shrinking their deficit to four points. Western Kentucky wasted no time in extending their lead; their nine-play opening drive of the second half was capped off with another Austin Reed touchdown, this time on the ground. Indiana followed with a quick 3-and-out, and it looked like the Hilltoppers would quickly make them pay by driving all the way inside the ten-yard line. Instead, the Indiana defense was able to force their first takeaway of the day when Myles Jackson intercepted Reed in the endzone and shifted momentum. By the time the game had shifted to the 4th quarter, though trailing 24-13, the Indiana offense had driven down the field to the WKU 19.

Just two plays into the 4th quarter, Indiana found the endzone on the ground with Josh Henderson. Henderson punched it in from 19 yards out after eluding a couple of Hilltopper tackles. The Hoosiers tried for two and failed, leaving the score 24-19. Western Kentucky answered once again with a long drive of their own, but the redzone woes found them when the drive stalled at the 2-yard line. They settled for a field goal, extending their lead to 27-19. Indiana needed a touchdown to continue the momentum, but instead was forced to punt and left the defense exposed. Cam Jones answered the bell; just two plays into the Hilltopper drive, Jones stripped Joshua Simon and Myles Jackson once again found the loose ball. The Indiana offense got the ball at the 22 but managed just two yards of offense before settling for a field goal and narrowing the margin to five at 27-22 with seven minutes left in regulation.

The Western Kentucky offense could essentially seal the game with a touchdown, but Indiana’s defense was able to bend not break once again and force a field goal. The margin was eight, but that left just enough wiggle room for another late 4th quarter drive. Connor Bazelak led the team down the field on a nine-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off by a Cam Camper wide open touchdown catch. Needing the 2-point conversion to tie the game at 30, Bazelak found Donaven McCulley in the back of the endzone and the Hoosiers were able to convert their first 2-point conversion of the season (0-3 prior). With 47 seconds remaining, an Austin Reed 3rd down scramble and a Jaylin Williams pass interference got the Hilltoppers into field goal range, but Brayden Narveson missed the 44-yard attempt wide right, and the game was headed to overtime.

Indiana won the toss and chose to play defense, giving the Hilltoppers the ball first. Western Kentucky’s drive immediately stalled, due greatly in part to a Noah Pierre strip sack that was recovered by WKU. They were forced to try a field goal, in which Jaylin Williams was able to redeem himself and get off the edge to block the attempt. Indiana got the ball in OT needing any type of score to win the game. The offense sputtered, losing 8 yards. On 4th and 18 from the WKU 33, Charles Campbell was given the game on his leg from 51 yards out; he converted. Indiana won, 33-30.

Indiana was ultimately outgained 545-484, but two costly turnovers by Western Kentucky and a fourth quarter collapse did them in. Bazelak finished the game 33 of 55 for 364 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Josh Henderson led the Hoosiers on the ground with 11 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown. After a shaky performance last week, the game ball could very well be going to Charles Campbell. Campbell finished 4 of 4 with a long of 51 (the game winner) and nailed his lone extra point.

Indiana will go on the road for the first time this season next week against Cincinnati. Hoosier Huddle will have extensive postgame coverage of IU’s victory.