All week long the national media talked about how Indiana’s matchup against UCLA had all the markings of a ‘trap game.’ They talked endlessly about how Indiana could underestimate a “better-than-their-record” UCLA team and get upset at home. If Saturday’s matchup was a trap, then it’s safe to say that Indiana dodged it quicker than a Roman Hemby jump cut. The Hoosiers, led by their high-powered offense, absolutely crushed the Bruins 56-6.
Indiana never trailed on Saturday, yet faced some early adversity after a tipped pass resulted in Fernando Mendoza’s second interception of the season. To the Hoosiers’ credit, they emphatically responded to this mistake by scoring 21 unanswered points. Speaking about this response after the game, Mendoza said, “Today a little bit of a slower start; unfortunately we had the turnover, which it sucks, it happens. But I think we bounced back phenomenally and were able to put some points on the board early in the game.”
Fernando “Heis-Mendoza” did not look back, leading the Hoosiers up and down the field, ending the game 15-22 passing, with 168 yards and 3 touchdowns, in addition to rushing for 45 yards and a touchdown. Speaking about the Hoosiers’ offensive success, Mendoza said, “I think it’s really the multifaceted approach that we can take, whether it’s passing, whether it’s running…we have such great players around us that we can really utilize what the defense is giving us.”
One of those great players around Mendoza is running back Roman Hemby, who lit up Memorial Stadium on Saturday, ending the game with 116 all-purpose yards and 2 touchdowns. Speaking about the offense after the game, Hemby said, “I feel like we have a great balance offensively. I feel like we are able to run the ball when we want to, pass the ball when we want to, and I feel like today was one of those days where the run helped us get a lot of success, and we were able to throw the ball when we wanted to and when we needed to. But it feels good to have the offense rely on us for a little bit of time and for us to ring the bell and answer when we were needed.”
Hemby’s success in the run game helped wide receiver E.J. Williams get open in the pass game. Williams ended the game with 109 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. When asked about Indiana’s passing attack after the game, Williams said, “I mean, I feel like it all translates from the work we put in. Like I said, I’m really a believer that the work you put in in the offseason that’s going to translate onto the field.”
The work the Hoosiers put in during the offseason has certainly translated to the field this season. Behind this balanced offense, Indiana is off to an 8-0 start in back-to-back seasons and controls their destiny in the Big 10. If Saturday was any indicator, don’t doubt the Hoosiers or their preparation.