In Indiana’s Darkest Hour, the Defense Held Ground

It had been 666 days since Indiana Football last lost a game. Indiana had won 22 games in a row and it felt like they are unbeatable, but they fell. It feels fitting that Indiana football suffered their first loss in 666 days, since to many, that is the devils number.

The game played out largely like IU’s last game against Nebraska, where they were down two scores with 12 minutes left, but then the offense came to life. Only this time, Indiana lost the game of inches, and fell to Ohio State by a score of 19-15.

Despite the failure to capitalize at the end of the game, Indiana’s defense came through in big moments all game long. The offense scored only seven points through three quarters of play, but the defense came through whenever the Hoosiers needed it the most.

In Ohio State’s third drive, Amare Ferrell almost picked off a pass from Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin. Ferrell wouldn’t miss the next time he was given the opportunity.

Early in the second quarter, Sayin would target Heisman Trophy favorite Jeremiah Smith over the middle of the field. Indiana had tight coverage by Jamari Sharpe which led to a bobbled ball. Ferrell was there to clean up this ball, and returned it inside the 10 yard line. IU would then get its first touchdown of the day, taking its only lead of 7-3.

Then again, Ferrell made up for Indiana’s prior mistakes in the second half. Indiana wide receiver Davion Chandler fumbled on Indiana’s second play of the half. Then, quarterback Josh Hoover fumbled on Indiana’s second drive of the half.

The Hoosiers were down 13-7, and Ohio State was driving, but once again when targeting Smith, Ferrell picked off Sayin.

“Two big interceptions… and that first one led to points. Huge,” Indiana Football head coach Curt Cignetti said postgame. “And the second one was huge too… those were two big interceptions certainly”.

It wasn’t only Indiana besting Smith, as he got his lick back in the second half after a missed Nico Radicic field goal. It was fourth and one, and Ohio State did a hard play fake, and threw the deep ball to Smith. The ball was under thrown, and Smith made a great play, faking out Ferrell, and catching the touchdown.

“He pump faked to the to the other side. So when he pump faked, I just just tried to get back and then when I was looking for the ball, I kind of like tripped over,” Ferrell said.

It was the little things that beat Indiana in this game, as they had self inflicted wounds. This ball was one that Ferrell could have made a play on, but this time the Heisman favorite beat Ferrell to it.

Indiana’s defense still would have two more major stops to give IU’s offense a chance to win. Indiana went down the field and had its best drive of the game once they were down 12, sort of similar to the Nebraska game.

The Hoosiers defense then stopped the Buckeyes, and forced a punt. They gave up some yardage, but ultimately forced a punt.

The Indiana offense then didn’t go anywhere the rest of the game, making the defense once again have to get a stop with there back behind a wall. In this drive, the defensive pressure got to Ohio State backup quarterback Luke Fahey, and the Buckeyes conceded the ball back to Indiana.

This is where Indiana went on a drive that ultimately ended up in Nick Marsh’s foot being just inches away from a potential game winning touchdown.

The Indiana defense was able to come through all game, and it wasn’t just the secondary who made plays. Indiana’s pass rush was relentless all game, lead by Tobi Osunsanmi and Mario Landino who each had two sacks. Landino had a strip sack that ended up being recovered by Ohio State, but was almost another Indiana takeaway.

This relentless pass rush put Sayin in tough situations, only going 15-for-29 in passing attempts on the game, with two interceptions. The amount of hits Sayin took also eventually caught up to him as he was taken out of the game with an injury.

IU was handed it’s first loss of the season, snapping its 22 game losing streak, but it still showed the championship DNA that the team has. This team is gritty, and comes through when their backs are up against the wall.

“Our team is exactly who we thought we were as far as our grit and our toughness,” Hoover said.

This was Hoovers response when asked about the biggest positive from this game. The team suffered a loss, but still showed that they are a worthy competitor. A large part of that was Indiana’s defense.