Hoosiers' Offense Struggles, Squeak by Akron 29-27

Written By: Ethan Roberts

“Winning is hard,” Coach Tom Allen said. “Just get a chance to learn from it and get ready for the next one.”

The Hoosiers struggled offensively but managed to survive a four-overtime scare against the Akron Zips. The four-overtime game was the longest game in program history. So, how did it take extra time to defeat-and nearly lose-to the Zips?

The Hoosiers were outgained in total yards by the Zips 474-282. Allen mentioned the team’s lack of focus in preparation.

“I was looking for opportunities and did not like at all how we practiced,” Allen said. “We actually restarted some things on Thursday. And from what you’re just saying right there, I just sense the lack of understanding who we were playing and their ability to beat you and so – which is mind blowing because we don’t have any right to think that at this point.”

The Hoosiers’ offense was a combined 3-16 on third and fourth downs.

“Up front (we) didn’t block well at all,” Allen said. “Probably our worst performance of the season on the offensive line as far as running the football. There’s more than just them that were affected. There are tight ends and the quarterbacks and the reads and different things we do. But, obviously, not near good enough.”
After entering the red zone four times, they only managed to come away with two touchdowns. The other two instances on the goal line ended in a turnover on downs and a field goal from the one-yard line.

“You’re at the goal line, you’ve got to score touchdowns and not have to kick field goals,” Allen said. "Obviously, got stopped at the one before. We chose to kick a football from inside the one. But, yeah, it starts up front. Got to block better. If we have to make changes up front, personnel-wise, we’ll do what we’ve got to do to get that fixed. That’s where it begins.”

Allen noted that the offense performed below an acceptable standard and the field goal from the one-yard line was decided to grab a touchdown lead in the fourth quarter.

Tayven Jackson finished the night going 11-26 190 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. While it wasn’t a great performance in terms of completion percentage, he once again showed his ability to stretch the field vertically, with multiple big throws to Cam Camper.

“For me, it’s seeing signals and being better at reading the defense,” Jackson said. “I was rushed a little bit, and I was trying to force things, and that is never good when I do that. As a team, we need to have better focus.”

Jackson reiterated Allen’s notion of lack of performance in practice.

“We’ve got to execute better in practice,” Jackson said. “We play a Big Ten team next week, and what we did out there today is not going to cut it. So, we’ve got to be better on Sunday and Monday and all of the rest of the week.”

Overtime caused the pressure to go up for the team. Jackson missed a wide-open Jaylin Lucas in the flat in the third overtime, by then the teams were trading attempts at 2-point conversions. But the Hoosiers managed to persevere.

“I’ve never been in that situation before,” Jackson said. “So, it’s new. But our coaching staff did a phenomenal job of keeping us calm, and everyone calm, so we could just go out there and execute like we did in practice.

The Hoosiers will travel to Maryland for the first road game of the season Saturday.