The Indiana Hoosiers overcame a sluggish start on defense and a weather delay during halftime to roll to a comfortable 38-13 victory over the Michigan State Spartans. The #3 Hoosiers improved to 7-0 and retain the Old Brass Spittoon for the second-straight season. Fernando Mendoza looked like a Heisman Trophy contender as he diced up the Spartans defense to the tune of 332 yards on 24 of 28 passing with four touchdowns as he led IU’s offense on touchdown drives the first five times they had the ball. Michigan State had a big edge time of possession at halftime but the Hoosiers were efficient with the ball and led 21-10 at the break before pulling away early in the second 30 minutes.
Michigan State began the game with the ball and converted a third and long to get their drive going before methodically working into field goal territory and taking a 3-0 lead while churning more than seven minutes off the clock. IU’s offense did not take much time to respond as Jonathan Brady caught a pass on third down and then they mixed the run and the pass to get into scoring position before E.J. Williams caught a touchdown pass to grab the 7-3 lead. Michigan State moved the ball well again on their second possession, winding down the play clock before each snap and finishing the drive with an Aidan Chiles touchdown pass to Nick Marsh.
The Spartans had the ball for more than 15 minutes on just two drives and the contest was going about as well as possible for Jonathan Smith’s squad. Unfortunately for them, they needed to figure out a way to stop the IU offense, something Fernando Mendoza was not inclined to let occur. Mendoza connected with Riley Nowakowski on a 38-yard catch and rumble and then found Elijah Sarratt for a 24-yard touchdown to take the lead back at 14-10. Aidan Chiles continued to play well and MSU’s offense moved the ball again before a tackle for loss by Isiah Jones stalled the drive and forced a pooch punt that rolled into the endzone. The Hoosiers took over for their third possession with only 2:46 remaining in the first half but had no problem rolling down the field and Kaelon Black scampered in for a 29-yard touchdown run to make the score 21-10 at the half.
The Hoosiers had the ball first in the second half and Fernando Mendoza continued to carve up the MSU defense. He threw an inch-perfect pass to Omar Cooper for a 48-yard touchdown as Curt Cignetti’s team seized firm control of the contest just minutes into the second half. Michigan State tried to respond but were limited to a 50-yard field goal attempt that sailed just wide and then IU rolled down the field and Mendoza connected for his fourth passing touchdown and the second of the day for Elijah Sarratt. IU appeared to have scored again but a fourth down pass to E.J. Williams was deemed incomplete as his heel landed out of bounds. Aidan Chiles tried to get Michigan State back in the game with a long scramble into the red zone but Stephen Daley sacked Chiles on fourth and long to end the threat. IU’s offense took over and turned to the ground game, draining the clock on a lengthy drive that featured action for Khobie Martin at running back. The Hoosiers hit a short field goal to make it 38-10 and Michigan State answered with a late field goal on a drive led by the backup quarterback.
Indiana’s offense was extremely efficient, particularly through the air and they ultimately outgained Michigan State 464-367. After falling behind 10-7, the Hoosiers scored the next 31 points and cruised to the win and 7-0 start. The loss on Friday night by the Miami Hurricanes means the Hoosiers will likely move up to #2 in the national polls. IU stays at home and will take on the UCLA Bruins next Saturday.