#9 Hoosiers Fall to #3 Buckeyes in Columbus 42-35

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

The Indiana Hoosiers and Ohio State Buckeyes entered Saturday’s contest in rainy Columbus knowing the outcome of their game would likely determine who won the Big Ten East title. The game was showcased on FOX and it was billed as the biggest IU football game in more than 20 years. Indiana gave the Ohio State Buckeyes some problems but the defending Big Ten champions proved once again why they are the unquestioned class of the conference. They rattled off 21 unanswered points to end the first half and went into the locker room ahead 28-7. Indiana had an offensive resurgence in the second half that truly pressured the Buckeyes but they ultimately came up just short with Ohio State prevailing 42-35. The Hoosiers are now 4-1 on the season while the Buckeyes improved to 4-0.

Indiana began with the ball and got one first down before being forced to punt. Ohio State wasted no time at all in jumping on top as they scored in just two plays. Justin Fields found Garrett Wilson on back to back completions to move in front 7-0. IU had a bad snap that went over Michael Penix’s head and forced a punt and it looked like a route might be on early. However, for the first time all season Justin Fields threw an interception. Jamar Johnson jumped in front of a pass across the middle of the field and ran it back to the Ohio State 44-yard line. The Hoosiers moved near the red zone but Ty Fryfogle dropped a pass on fourth and two to give it back to Ohio State. A personal foul penalty on the Buckeyes stalled their next drive and forced a punt but Indiana could only muster one first down and punted back to OSU. For the second time of the game, Fields was intercepted. This time it was Jerome Johnson as he caught a deflected pass and dropped to the ground near midfield. The Hoosiers were stymied by a penalty and had to punt but the Buckeyes had to give it back after a punt of their own. Finally, the IU offense got on track as Michael Penix threw a beautiful deep ball to Miles Marshall as he took the top off of the OSU defense. Marshall stumbled but still got the two-yard line. Two plays later, Whop Philyor bounced off a defender and lunged into the end zone for a touchdown to tie the game. The Buckeyes turned to the ground game as Master Teague rumbled for a couple of first downs, Chris Olave caught a pair of third down passes and then Teague ran for a 41-yard touchdown to regain the lead. Indiana went three and out and Ohio State went on another 75-yard drive for a score to gain control of the contest. This time, it was a long run by Justin Fields and a one-yard run up the middle for Teague’s second touchdown to make it 21-7. IU got a long completion to David Ellis as Ohio State’s Baron Browning got lost in coverage. On the very next play, Ellis caught a slant pass inside the ten-yard line and ran into the official. The contact jarred the ball loose and the Ohio State Buckeyes recovered. A few plays later, Justin Fields scampered around the edge and ran into the end zone to make the score 28-7 just before halftime.

Ohio State began the second half with the ball and went back to how they started the game. Justin Fields found Garrett Wilson for a long gain and then a short touchdown to give OSU a 35-7 edge. Indiana refused to go quietly as Michael Penix threw a nice deep ball to Ty Fryfogle and he pulled away from the Ohio State defense for the 63-yard touchdown. The Hoosiers then picked off Justin Fields for the third time. It was Jamar Johnson’s second interception but while he was running it back near the 20-yard line, an Ohio State player punched the ball loose and the Buckeyes recovered. They were unable to take advantage of their second chance, quickly going three and out and punting it back to IU. The Hoosiers continued their comeback as MIchael Penix kept attacking the Buckeyes secondary and again it was Ty Fryfogle for the touchdown to make 35-21. IU’s defense kept the momentum going for the Hoosiers as they forced the Buckeyes into a 44-yard field goal attempt that was missed. David Ellis had a chance to haul in a long completion but it bounced off his fingers and on the very next play, Ohio State’s Shaun Wade picked off Michael Penix and waltzed into the end zone for a pick six to make it 42-21 in favor of OSU. Again, IU responded yet again with a great drive that ended in a touchdown for David Ellis on a fourth and ten conversion. The Hoosiers put some real pressure on the Buckeyes as they forced Ohio State punt and then Ty Fryfogle caught his third touchdown of the day, this one for 56 yards to make it 42-35. OSU drove into scoring territory and then went for it on fourth and one inside the ten but the Hoosiers defense stood tall and forced a turnover on downs. IU took over with a chance to tie the game. Their drive started with a first down but went nowhere after that. The Hoosiers had to punt and OSU got one first down, giving the ball back to Indiana at the 22-yard line with only 38 seconds remaining. Michael Penix picked up a first down scrambling but on fourth and ten with only five seconds left, Indiana’s desperation lateral play went nowhere and the Buckeyes prevailed 42-35.

Michael Penix had a career day, throwing for 495 yards with five touchdowns and one interception. His top target was once again Ty Fryfogle who continued his scintillating form with seven catches for 223 yards and three touchdowns. Ohio State outrushed Indiana 307 to -1 and Justin Fields threw for 300 yards with two touchdowns but IU intercepted him three times and ended up with 490 yards to 607 for Ohio State in total offense. The Hoosiers will now return home to play the Maryland Terrapins. Hoosier Huddle will continue to provide coverage of this contest and begin our preview of the game against Maryland.