Throwback Thursday: Ohio State 42 Indiana 27

Tevin Coleman had another monster day, but it wasn't enough for the Hoosiers in Columbus. Image: HeraldTimesOnline

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Welcome back to the second installment of three of our Throwback Thursday. This afternoon we take a look back at the Hoosiers’ upset bid in Columbus on the regular season’s penultimate Saturday. Tevin Coleman and a stout Indiana defense nearly pulled off the improbable, but fell short of a win against the Buckeyes.

--Columbus, OH- The Indiana Hoosiers (3-8, 0-7) fought hard and gave the Ohio State Buckeyes (10-1, 7-0) all they could handle in a 42-27 loss that was much closer than the score indicated. Indiana forced three first half turnovers, high lighted by two J.T. Barrett (25/35 for 302 4 TDs, 2 INTs) interceptions, and went into halftime trailing 14-13.  The Hoosiers had quieted the crowd at Ohio Stadium by hitting their Buckeyes in the mouth and holding an explosive offense to just 245 yards in the first half. Indiana took the lead 20-14 on their second drive of the third quarter when running back Tevin Coleman raced 90 yards, passing Vaughn Dunbar as the Hoosiers single season leading rusher, to the end zone.

However the lead and the upset bid would not last as the Hoosiers made critical mistakes that allowed the Buckeyes to capitalize. Ohio State took the lead on a 54-yard Jalin Marshall punt return. Marshall destroyed the Hoosiers with four second half touchdowns, including the dagger with 4:21 left in the game after a Diamont (11/27 114 yards) interception. Marshall finished with 151 total yards. Coleman capped off the scoring in the game with a 52-yard score to get the Hoosiers to 42-27 with just over a minute left. Coleman finished with 228 yards and three touchdowns. The Hoosiers showed plenty of heart and grit, while the Buckeyes hope that the Playoff Committee did not find the Big Ten Network and only saw the final score.

Opponent

Ohio State Buckeyes

Location 

Saturday November 22nd  /12:01pm/ Ohio Stadium/ (Columbus, OH) 

Why They Played

The Hoosiers made the trip to Columbus for the fourth time in five years and will face the Buckeyes annually in the Big Ten East.

What The Game Meant

This game had playoff implications…for the Buckeyes. Indiana came in looking to play hard and have “fun” according to Wilson.

Top Offensive Performers

Indiana- Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana- That man was at it again Saturday in Columbus. Coleman ran for an impressive 228 yards and three touchdowns. He became IU’s single season rushing yards leader on a 90-yard touchdown run that temporarily push the Hoosiers ahead. Coleman capped off his record setting day with a 53-yard score in the final two minutes.

Jalin Marshall WR, Ohio State- The freshman receiver has seen his ups and downs with the Buckeyes in 2014 and Saturday was definitely an up. Marshall shredded the Hoosiers for 151 total yards and four touchdowns, including a 54 yard punt return that changed the game.

Top Defensive Performers

Antonio Allen, S, Indiana- The former four-star recruit made a major impact on the game intercepting two passes and totaling 11 tackles. He has been impressive so far this season coming off of a knee injury that cut his freshman campaign short.

Joshua Perry, LB, Ohio State- Ohio State has some big time names on defense, but it was Perry who made the biggest impact Saturday. He sacked Indiana quarterback Zander Diamont twice, and totaled 14 tackles.

Special Team Performance

Special teams changed the game on Saturday when a Cameron Johnston punt looked like it just stuck in the turf at the Indiana one-yard line. One cannot blame Wynn for letting the line drive go over his head. It was just a great punt. The result of that punt was a quick IU punt that ended up being returned for 54 yards to the end zone. The Hoosiers never really recovered from there. Aside from that coverage bust the Hoosiers had a solid day on special teams. Punter Erich Toth had three of his 10 punts downed inside the 20 and averaged 44.9 yards per kick. Freshman kicker Griffin Oakes continues to kick the ball well as he converted all three extra points and two field goals.

Key Stat(s):

6

The good news is that the Hoosiers forced three first have turnovers, the bad news is that they only cashed that in for six points. If the Hoosiers want to start winning big games against big opponents they need to start turning turnovers into touchdowns.

Turning Poin

The momentum and game swung in Ohio State’s favor after Marshall’s punt return touchdown. It gave the Buckeyes a lead they would not give up.

I Knew it Was Over When…

Zander Diamont’s pass with 4:25 was picked off. The Hoosiers were down eight and looking to drive for the tying score but the drive was doomed on the first play from scrimmage.

Players of the Game

Indiana– Tevin Coleman, Running Back- A week after torching Rutgers for 307 yards ‘Rock’ put up 228 and three touchdowns against a solid Ohio State run defense.

Ohio State- Jalin Marshall, Wide Receiver- Get used to seeing his name Hoosier fans he is only a freshman. Marshall killed Indiana in the second half with four touchdowns including the momentum swinging punt return.

What I took away from the game

 There is no quit in this Hoosier squad, and that says a lot about a team who could have mailed it in against the sixth ranked team in the country. After falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter Kevin Wilson’s team could have packed it in and said “well that was what everyone expected us to do”. Instead the Hoosiers showed fight and heart cutting that deficit to 14-13 before halftime. It says a lot about the coaching staff and the seniors that IU was not embarrassed on Saturday. This game had 2010 Wisconsin written all over it early.

The Hoosiers will be ready to play for the Old Oaken Bucket next week when the host Purdue. It’s a very winnable game and would do wonders for the program to go into the off-season with a win.