A Look Back at Indiana's 1992 Homecoming Game Against Wisconsin
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Image: Phil Whitlow, Herald-Times
Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
In an effort to provide some entertainment and scratch that sports itch during this time when every major sport in the United States is shut down due to COVID-19, we are taking a dive deep into the archives of the Big Ten Network and Galen Clavio to shine light on some old Indiana football games. While we are disappointed there are no live sports going on, we understand the precautions that have been taken. We want everyone to stay healthy and want to give the doctors, nurses and the rest of the healthcare workers the best opportunity to help those who need it without crushing the system.
Everyone needs a distraction and some fun during this time. So, on this Saturday we will take a look back at Indiana’s 1992 homecoming game against the Wisconsin Badgers on October 24th. The Hoosiers game into the game at 3-3 while the Badgers were 4-2 as Bill Mallory clashed with Barry Alverez for the third time. The game is available on both YouTube and BTN+.
The Game
A first half punt fest turned into an exciting defensive battle as the Indiana Hoosiers (4-3) stopped the Wisconsin Badgers (4-3) four times from inside their own 10-yard line with 1:31 left in the game to preserve a hard-fought 10-3 victory. A ill-thrown fourth-and-goal pass from Darrell Bevell sailed behind a wide open Mark Montgomery for a harmless incomplete pass and all the Hoosiers needed to do was kneel out the rest of the clock.
Wisconsin’s final drive was set up by a blocked punt, which a Badger defender fell on at the Indiana 32-yard line with 3:09 left in the game. A long run from Jason Burns who finished with 24 carries and 88 yards moved the ball well inside the Indiana 20-yard line. Wisconsin nearly scored on the next play, but wide receiver Aaron Browns foot was on the end line negating a touchdown. Wisconsin would get a first down at the Indiana three-yard line with 1:31 left in the game. A false start pushed them back to the eight-yard line. On first down Bevell hit Montgomery to the IU one-yard line. A one-yard loss on a second down run gave the Badgers two more tries from the IU two, both were incomplete passes.
The first half of the game was a scoreless battle that featured a missed field goal from each side. The lone highlight on the TV broadcast was an 86-yard punt from IU’s Jim DiGuillio. The punt is still tied for the longest punt in school history. The Hoosiers’ Scott Bonnell broke the ice with a third quarter field goal from 26 yards out. Wisconsin answered on a Rich Thompson 45-yard field goal with 1:27 left in the third quarter.
The Hoosier offense was led by true freshman running back Michael Batts who ran for 111 yards on 23 carries in his first career start and wide receiver Thomas Lewis who hauled in five passes for 79 yards and Indiana’s lone touchdown.
Indiana’s defense helped set up the Hoosiers lone touchdown on the day as Lamar Mills sacked Darrell Bevell a play before Indiana defensive back Lance Brown picked off a Bevell pass at the Indiana 34-yard line.
Indiana drove the 66 yards in six plays. The drive was capped off with a 34-yard pass from Trent Green to Lewis for a touchdown. Lewis used both his speed and agility to juke out a defensive back before blowing past him for the catch in the end zone.
The Hoosiers moved to 4-0-1 in their last five homecoming games under head coach Bill Mallory.
Notes and Takeaways
- Bill Mallory moved to 3-0 against Barry Alverez
- Indiana WR Thomas Lewis would go on to be a first-round pick of the New York Giants in 1994
- Indiana QB Trent Green finish his IU career with 5,400 passing yards. He spent 15 years in the NFL after being an eighth-round pick for the San Diego Chargers in 1993.
- Bill Mallory nicknamed Memorial Stadium ‘The House’ and had a ‘Lock the Gate’ motto. While ‘the House’ is awfully plain, the ‘Lock the Gate’ thing was pretty cool as the Hoosier had an official key.
- Fans stayed the entire game. While the stadium was probably 70% full, it looked as if most people stayed.
- Indiana football have been the cardiac kids forever basically. The last three minutes played out almost like every other close IUFB game since then.
- The uniform color was perfect. The darker color and black face masks were cool. While black shouldn’t be a secondary color, I would love to see the Hoosiers have the Mallory-era helmet as a throwback at some point, with the darker jerseys.
- Wisconsin has come a long way. They stuck with Alverez through some growing pains and now they are reaping the benefits as the Badgers are perennial Big Ten title contenders.
- I miss the old ESPN College Football theme.
We will continue to go throw some classic Indiana Football games to help you, the fans, get a little sports in your life again. Please share your memories, pictures, stories and suggestions in the comment section below. Many of these games do not have a box score.