Written by Evan McShane (@very_reasonable)

The Hoosiers had every opportunity to secure their first bowl victory since 1991, but a series of missed opportunities resulted in another gut-wrenching loss that many Indiana football fans know all too well. Indiana’s offense generated its lowest total yardage output since their 51-10 blowout loss against Ohio State. Playing without running back Stevie Scott, IU amassed just 76 yards on the ground, averaging a measly 2.5 yards-per-carry. Indiana’s passing attack generated just 227 yards on 20 completions, the third-lowest totals for yardage and completions this season.

The offensive struggles were evident from the start as Tennessee dominated the line of scrimmage. Over the first 27 minutes of gameplay, Indiana only managed to run 18 plays for 43 yards. The first Hoosier drive gained 19 yards, largely thanks to a defensive pass interference call. On the fourth play, a poor pass from Ramsey was intercepted at midfield. IU was able to pick up a first down on their second drive with back-to-back completions to tight ends Peyton Hendershot and Matt Bjorson, but the drive quickly stalled after a false start on third and one.

A pair of sacks and three incomplete passes saw Indiana’s next nine plays accumulate negative two yards. It was a 10-play 36-yard drive following an interception that saved the Hoosiers from a first half shutout. On fourth and one at the UT 33-yard line, Ramsey picked up a first down with a sneak. On third and eight, Ramsey picked up a first with his legs yet again. However, when IU had the ball on the six-yard line with nine second left in the half, the offense inexplicably failed to call a timeout. Indiana was forced to kick a field goal without attempted a shot at the end zone.

The offense put together their most impressive drive of the night to start the second half. Ramsey again doing most of the damage with his legs as he picked up 16 yards on another third and eight. With first and goal on the nine-yard line, Ramsey ran it three times before reaching the end zone on a QB sneak to take a 10-6 lead. After a pick-six gave IU a lead, the offense put together another nice drive with a 27-yard completion to Nick Westbrook and a 20-yard completion to Miles Marshall. The drive stalled at the 31-yard line, but Logan Justus extended the lead 19-9 with a 49-yard field goal.

With a 10-point lead and the ball at midfield following a Tennessee three-and-out, IU had a chance to put the game out of reach. A 20-yard completion to Fryfogle on first down and another Ramsey run brought the ball to the UT 16-yard line. Indiana then ran a WR reverse to Whop Philyor which lost seven yards. The momentum of the drive was halted, and IU was forced to settle for a 30-yard field goal. A 22-9 lead would feel safe, but Hoosier football fans have been here before.

The defense forced another three-and-out, and with just over eight minutes remaining, Indiana had another prime opportunity to put the game away. The results? Two run plays for two total yards and an incomplete pass forced IU to punt. The next time the Hoosiers offense got the ball back, they were trailing 23-22.

A 39-yard completion on first down gave Indiana some hope, but the drive immediately stalled out with an incompletion and a sack. Coach Allen opted not to go for it on 4th and 8 and Logan Justus missed a 52-yard field goal with just over two minutes remaining. On life support, the Hoosiers had one more chance. With 49 seconds left, Ramsey connected with Hendershot and Westbrook on back-to-back plays for 36 total yards. With the ball on the Tennessee 45-yard line, three straight incomplete passes brought up fourth and ten. Ramsey’s throw on fourth down was a few yards short of the open man and Indiana’s season came to an end with a one-point loss.

It was a game Indiana should have won, but Hoosier fans have seen such a meltdown many times before. The offense will regroup as they look to move forward without offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer. An eight-win season is undoubtedly a grand success for IU, although the Gator Bowl will leave a sour taste in the mouths of fans. Indiana football will eclipse 30 years without a bowl victory before getting another chance to rewrite their history, but that doesn’t mean the arrow isn’t still pointing upward.

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