Opponent: Oregon Ducks
Location: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OR
Why They Played
The Hoosiers and Ducks played a conference game. It was the Hoosiers first game against the Ducks since 2004 (also an IU win).
What The Game Meant
This was a game that would give the winner a leg up and a real chance at being in the Big Ten championship game. With the win IU has a real argument to be the number one team in the country.
Heartwork Brewing Players of the Game
Offense
Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana- Elijah Sarratt did it again for the Hoosiers in the fourth quarter. His three catches for 60 yards and a touchdown powered Indiana when it mattered most. He finished with 8 catches for 121 yards.
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana– The numbers don’t jump off the page and he did commit a critical error at a critical time, but Fernando Mendoza is the steady hand that kept IU’s offense moving throughout the game. He was 20-of-31 for 215 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He added 31 yards rushing.
Defense
Indiana Linebackers- The trio of Aiden Fisher, Rolijah Hardy and Isaiah Jones was an absolute wrecking ball for the Hoosiers defense on Saturday. They combined for 34 total tackles (Fisher and Hardy with 13 each), 3.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss and an interception. The entire defense played well, but this trio was special.
Bear Alexander, DL, Oregon- The big defensive lineman was stout for the Ducks with six tackles and two tackles for loss.
Special Teams Performance
Indiana’s special teams were a major difference on Saturday. While Oregon missed a field goal, Indiana’s Brendan Franke tied a school record with a 58-yard field goal right before half for a 13-10 lead. IU sniffed out what looked to be a fake punt and while it turned out to be a great panic punt, IU’s game plan and focus was evident.
Key Stat(s)
10-7, 104-15
The Indiana Hoosiers outscored Oregon 10-7 in the fourth quarter and out gained the Ducks 104-15. 23 of those 15 yards came on Oregon’s last possession down 30-20.
Turning Point
The field goal sequence before half time where Oregon’s Atticus Sappington missed a field goal with 24 seconds left. It allowed IU to move down the field and kick a 58-yard field goal to take a 13-10 lead into the locker room at half time.
I Knew it Was Over When…
Nico Radicic hit a short field goal to give the Hoosiers a 30-20 lead.
What I take away From the Game
This was the biggest win away from Memorial Stadium in IU football history. The Hoosiers are checking off more items on their to-do list. Many said they couldn’t win against a top five team. One said they were too small on the defensive line to compete with the behemoth Oregon offensive line.
I will admit, I predicted an Oregon win (whoops).
However, there was always a path to victory. It started with the snap and IU did what they needed to. They used the same mechanics, but changed up the timing and it worked. IU did get called for about a half dozen false starts, but many of those looked like they were caused by the defensive line stemming (which could be a delay penalty). The offensive line kept Mendoza clean for the most part.
The Hoosiers made their case for being the top team in the country. They very well may have the best win of the season. There were a number of opportunities where IU could have folded up, but they bounced back instead of shattering. After throwing a pick six that tied the game at 20, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza led a game-winning touchdown drive with big time throws.
On defense, the Hoosiers leaned on the linebacking trio of Aiden Fisher, Rolijah Hardy and Isaiah Jones. An “undersized” defensive line dominated and Oregon quarterback Dante Moore never got comfortable. IU had six sacks and eight tackles for loss.
As big of a win this is, and it’s a big one, it’s not the top of the mountain and the Big Ten landscape is going through tectonic changes seemingly every week.
The box for beating a top three opponent on the road can be checked. Paul Finebaum may need thicker glasses to find something to be mad about Indiana.
What’s Next
IU is 6-0 and bowl eligible.They return home for the first time in almost a month to take on Michigan State (3-3, 0-3) in the Old Brass Spittoon Game on Oct. 18 (Homecoming).