Slow and Steady Tuttle, Offense Beats the Badgers

Written By: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

There are many things about this Indiana football team that are different than teams of its past.

Ten years ago, the Hoosiers limped out of Camp Randall Stadium having been handed an 83-20 defeat by the Badgers. That was just the worst of many defeats, as over the next four matchups Indiana was outscored 217-41.

Now, a week after losing star quarterback Michael Penix Jr for the season with an ACL injury and Indiana once again headed to Madison, many feared the story would be continued for another year. Wisconsin would win its 11th straight in the series and Indiana’s miracle season would be doomed without Penix.

But this isn’t that same Indiana team.

“We’re a tough team,” said new starting quarterback Jack Tuttle after the game. “Every single guy on this team fights and will never stop fighting.”

Tom Allen talked all week about how Indiana was a team, not just one player, and that showed today.

“We are a football team and I think that team showed up tonight, and that team hung together, prepared well this week, and I just feel so blessed to be the leader of this group,” said Allen postgame.

Calmly and confidently, Jack Tuttle stepped in for the injured Penix and led the Indiana offense on sustained, physical offensive drives: Wisconsin-like drives historically. Tuttle finished 13 of 22 for 130 yards, a relatively mundane statistical performance, but cashed in when it mattered most. He threw two touchdowns, one to Peyton Hendershot and one to Whop Philyor, that were ultimately the difference and capped off drives with touchdowns when Indiana made it into the redzone – something Wisconsin was unable to do.

“On the first drive I was feeling things out and seeing how they were going to play us. After that I feel like we got into a rhythm and got going. We made some mistakes here and there, but we also took advantage of some opportunities."

After a brief injury scare after a hit to the head, he came right back in and took control of the offense once again.

"I just wanted to get back on the field. That is really it to be honest. I love my team and I just wanted to be back on the field."

And despite this being Tuttle’s first start, the rest of the offense mimicked their leader’s nonchalant demeanor. A physical Wisconsin football team was lined up against them, and Indiana outdid what the Badgers historically do best.

“This is one of those games where I did not even know what we rushed for, but I knew by watching the game that we rushed effectively and ran the ball effectively,” added Coach Allen. “To me, that is a tribute to our team. Wisconsin is a tough team…They have one of the best defenses in the country.”

Teams in Indiana’s past certainly would have stumbled under such circumstances. But this team is different, no matter who is or isn’t available that week.

“This team just keeps on fighting, keeps on believing, keeps on staying the course. They just do not blink.”