Hoosiers Offense Gets Aggressive and It Does the Job

Indiana quarterback Peyton Ramsey (12) airs it out Saturday in Bloomington Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle

Written by Lauralys Shallow

Indiana’s 34-32 win over Maryland put the Hoosiers one game away from bowl eligibility. After a lackluster first quarter offensively, Peyton Ramsey started connecting with his receivers, and the IU offense was able to generate points.

Ramsey Establishing the Deep Threat 

After generating a total of 12 yards of offense and zero points in the first quarter, IU found itself down 6-0 heading into the second quarter. In its first drive of the second quarter, Ramsey threw a 35-yard pass to Ty Fryfogle to put IU in Maryland territory for the first time. A few plays later, Ramsey scrambled in for IU’s first score of the game, putting IU up 7-6. The Hoosiers next offensive series Ramsey threw deep again, and he threw a 37-yard TD to Donovan Hale, hitting Hale over the shoulder, in stride to give IU a 14-6 lead.

After Ramsey had only 17 passing yards in the first quarter, his two deep balls to Fryfogle and Hale in the second quarter gave him 89 passing yards. Later in the third, Ramsey hit Hale again for a long ball, this time it was 43 yards, and lead to an IU field goal that gave the Hoosiers a 31-15 lead. It was evident this was Ramsey’s best game throwing the long ball this year, averaging 15.2 yards per completion.  

Ramsey was pleased with his deep throws today: “Yeah, they were giving us those down the field throws. For me it was just a matter of letting Donavan (Hale), Nick (Westbrook) and Ty (Fryfogle) go make plays. They did a really good job today. It was fun getting back out there after the bye.”

Ramsey finished 16-28, throwing for 243 yards and 2 touchdowns and a passer rating of 146.5. While Ramsey did not have a perfect game, throwing a bad interception in the third quarter, his performance and ability to connect with his receivers on the deep ball was the difference maker in today’s victory.

The Offense Did Its Job

IU found itself trailing 32-31 with just under five minutes remaining in the game, despite leading by as much as 16 in the third quarter. The Indiana offense needed to produce points, and the offense delivered. After a solid return set IU up at its own 40-yard line, Stevie Scott ran for a 27 yard gain to put IU in Maryland territory off its first play of the drive. After three more positive rushing plays, IU set up kicker Logan Justus in field goal range, and his 42-yard field goal gave IU the lead for good. People complained that the IU offense left too much time on the clock for Maryland, but the offense was expected to get out there and finish the game, and they did their job. Indiana picked up a much needed win to keep bowl hopes alive. 

With No. 4 Michigan up next, it is positive to finally see Ramsey show his ability to throw the deep ball because IU has no reason to play conservative against the Wolverines. IU has nothing to lose, and if Ramsey has another solid game throwing the ball deep, the IU offense should not be able to put up 30 + points. Tonight showed how important establishing the deep throw is for the success of IU’s offense.