Opponent: Indiana State Sycamores
Location
Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN
Why They Played
The Hoosiers and Sycamores played as an in-state matchup and buy game for the Hoosiers.
What The Game Meant
This was the game before the game as the Hoosiers got a blow out win over Indiana State ahead of the Illinois showdown next week. Indiana did lose Lee Beebe to an injury during the second half, which could mean a lot.
Top Offensive Performers
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana- Mendoza tied a school record for touchdowns responsible for with six (5 passing 1 running). He was especially precise throwing the ball tonight finishing 19-of-20 for 270 yards.
Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana- Cooper tied James Hardy’s school record for receiving touchdowns in a game with four scores. He looked unstoppable against ISU with 10 catches for 207 yards and four touchdowns.
Khobie Martin, RB, Indiana- The redshirt freshman came off the bench in the second half to lead the Hoosiers in rushing. He ran for two touchdowns and 109 yards on 11 carries. He showed off his speed and a little power as well.
Top Defensive Performers
Stephen Daley, DL, Indiana- Daley provided the turning point moment of the game when he sniffed out and stuffed an Indiana State fake punt. He also had a sack. He finished with two tackles.
Special Teams Performance
Outside of an offsides on a punt block, the Hoosiers were again very solid on special teams. Nico Radidic hit all 10 extra points and his lone field goal attempt. Quinn Warren had a 57 yard punt, which wasn’t exactly boomed while Jonathan Brady had six punt returns for 68 yards.
Key Stat(s):
4
The number of touchdowns Omar Cooper scored tonight.
Turning Point
The turning point came in the first quarter when Indiana State tried to turn an Indiana miscue into a big play. However, Stephen Daley made a great tackle on a blocked punt to set Indiana up at the ISU 31-yard line. A couple plays later it was 31-0 IU.
I Knew it Was Over When…
IU made it 21-o in the first quarter.
What I take away From the Game
Yes, it was just Indiana State. This is exactly what a team like Indiana should do to a team like Indiana State. I thought Fernando Mendoza was on fire last night. His passes were crisp and on target. While he did get chewed out by Cignetti after a couple poor reads on the option, he was brilliant. Alberto Mendoza came in and the offense didn’t miss a beat. He threw for two touchdowns and 104 yards.
The wide receivers had a huge night, headlined by Omar Cooper’s record night. Elijah Sarratt took a couple hard hits early, but seemed to come out of it OK. Jonathan Brady got to show what he can do on offense as well.
Kahlil Benson was held out of the first half for a violation of team rules (a minor concern) and Zen Michalski got the start. The offensive line dominated again, as they should’ve and the second team line looked really strong as well.
The running game took a blow with a potential major injury to Lee Beebe Jr. who left the game with a non-contact lower body injury. Kaelon Black did fumble, but center Pat Coogan made a great hustle play to jump on it. Roman Hemby did not get a ton of looks. Redshirt freshman Khobie Martin stole the show and led the Hoosiers with 109 yards and two touchdowns. His role may increase with Beebe’s injury.
Defensively, IU still had issues early aligning their defense and safeties. Is it because of slow communication from the sideline? Something else? Whatever the issue is, it is going to be a concern next week.
IU did have 16 tackles for loss and the defensive line dominated a team they were supposed to. They will have a lot of confidence going up against an offensive line that has struggled next week.
Overall, the Hoosiers did what they needed to do in the first three games. Win. Next week will be an electric atmosphere in Bloomington and a great test of where this team stands in terms of the postseason.
What’s Next
IU hosts No. 9 Illinois (3-0) on Saturday, September 20th at 7:30pm at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium. The game is sold out and fans should wear red.