What Worked and What Didn't in the Loss to Purdue
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Peyton Ramsey and the offense couldn’t cash in on Saturday Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle
Written by Nathan Comp
In Indiana’s final game of the season, the Hoosiers fell for the second straight year to Purdue, 28-21, and watched as the Old Oaken Bucket left town with the Boilermakers. We’ll take a look at what went well, along with what did not, in Indiana’s 12th game of the season.
What Worked?
Pass Rush
After totaling just five sacks combined against Penn State, Minnesota, Maryland, and Michigan, the Indiana pass rush returned in the season’s closing game and matched this total of five sacks. The sacks pushed the Boilers back 28 yards and overall helped in Indiana’s bend-not-break defensive scheme. Unfortunately, it was not enough to keep David Blough uncomfortable, as he completed 77% of his passes for 310 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jerome Johnson discussed the Hoosier pass rush postgame: “I think Coach Allen and Coach Hagen had a good game plan for us. Obviously, it was working. We just need to finish better.”
Stevie Scott
Indiana’s likely MVP of the season was true freshman running back Stevie Scott. He again had a strong game on the ground against the Boilermakers, again passing the century mark in rushing yards and adding one touchdown on 20 carries. Scott finished the season with 1137 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Peyton Ramsey said about Scott, “He definitely grew up throughout the course of the year. He was a true freshman. A young kid. He developed early and grew up fast. He played really well throughout the course of the year. You saw him get better each and every week.”
What Didn’t?
Aggressive Play Calling
In an up-and-down season in regards to offensive play calling, Indiana’s offensive philosophy came up well short against not the strongest of defenses. The vertical passing game disappeared once again, and when it did appear Peyton Ramsey did not seem to have the accuracy to complete such plays. Despite completing 70% of his passes for 345 yards at the end of the day, Ramsey averaged just 6.8 yards per completion – a number that inflated in the game’s final quarter as Indiana was forced into a hurry-up pass-only offense in attempt to erase the deficit.
Getting the Bucket Back
For the fourth straight year, Indiana entered the Bucket game at 5-6 hoping for a Bucket and a bowl. Unfortunately, for the second straight year, the Bucket went back home with the Boilers and Indiana will be forced to spend the holidays at home, not competing in the postseason. It was the first time since 2011 that Indiana lost to Purdue on their home turf.