Comeback Falls Short in Minneapolis

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

The Indiana Hoosiers went to Minneapolis with their bowl hopes realistically on the line. However, they were outclassed early and fell behind until a frantic rally in the fourth quarter and fell to 4-5 on the season, falling 38-31 to the now 4-4 Minnesota Golden Gophers. Redshirt freshman Tanner Morgan, making his first collegiate start, completed 17 of 24 passes for 302 yards. After some early offensive success for Indiana resulted in only field goals, the Gophers took control and steadily pulled away on a soggy night under the lights at TCF Bank Stadium. The Hoosiers comeback gave hope to what was seemingly a lost cause before hope was harshly dashed yet again.

The Indiana Hoosiers received the opening kickoff and efficiently moved the ball into scoring territory. However, IU could not convert on third and three and were forced to settle for a Logan Justus 33 yard field goal. Minnesota answered with a good drive of their own, quickly getting into the red zone and then pounding it in from one yard out with Wildcat quarterback Seth Green. The Hoosiers again moved the ball well, running it effectively and getting inside the red zone for the second straight drive. Once again though, the attack bogged down and Logan Justus had to hit a field goal to make it 7-6. Shannon Brooks, back after weeks out with an injury, fumbled on Minnesota’s next possession and the Hoosiers took over at the Gophers 34 yard line. Peyton Ramsey missed a couple of throws that would have resulted in touchdowns for the Hoosiers and IU blew a golden opportunity. Logan Justus nailed an impressive 41 yard field goal to put the Hoosiers ahead 9-7. Unfortunately, it was basically the last positive event for Indiana on the night. Minnesota went on a long drive, converting multiple third downs and a short fourth down and Tanner Morgan found Tyler Johnson for an eight yard score. IU moved the ball well but had to punt and pinned the Golden Gophers at the one yard line. Just two plays later though, Morgan threw to a wide open Tyler Johnson on a slant (a theme all night) that went 51 yards. Tyler Morgan threw to Johnson again for another touchdown to give the Gophers control at 21-9 right before halftime.

The Golden Gophers opened the second half with a drive that ate more than seven minutes off the clock and resulted in an Emmit Carpenter field goal to take a 24-9 lead. The Hoosiers quickly went three and out and Haydon Whitehead’s punt was blocked. This was another in a growing list of blunders in the “third phase of the game”. Minnesota took advantage of the short field as Brooks hit a gap on the outside and scampered in for a touchdown to give the Gophers a 31-9 lead. The Hoosiers finally showed a bit of life as they actually threw the ball down the field. Peyton Ramsey threw a very nice pass to Donavan Hale and connected for a 42-yard score. IU did not get the two-point conversion and trailed 33-21. The Hoosiers then forced a fumble from Bryce Johnson and Ramsey stayed hot, finding Ty Fryfogle for a 37 yard touchdown. This time, IU got the two-point conversion and suddenly, it was a one possession contest at 31-23. Just two plays later, Tanner Morgan was picked off by Bryant Fitzgerald and the Hoosiers had good field position and a chance to tie the game. Ramsey nearly hooked up with Donavan Hale inside of the five yard line but he couldn’t haul it in. Just a few plays later, Ramsey overshot J-Shun Harris and was intercepted. IU’s defense stepped up and forced a three and out that gave the IU offense the ball back at the 45 yard line with 7:06 to play. Indiana converted a fourth and nine with a long run by Peyton Ramsey and then Stevie Scott bulled his way into the end zone to make it 31-29 with 3:57 remaining. Indiana converted the two-point attempt with a nice play to Donavan Hale and the Hoosiers tied game at 31 with 22 unanswered points, all in the fourth quarter. Minnesota took over at the 25 yard line and quickly went three and out. IU took possession back at the 24 with 3:25 left. The red-hot IU offense couldn’t keep it up though and went three and out as well. Minnesota’s Tanner Morgan hit a wide open Rashod Bateman for a 67 yard score with a litte more than 90 seconds left to give the lead back to Minnesota at 38-31.

IU now has a bye week before hosting Maryland but this loss places IU’s dimming bowl hopes on life support.