Written by Ethan Roberts

The Hoosiers were in the game trailing 10-3 at halftime, but the Buckeyes offense managed to put the game away with two field goals and a touchdown from Buckeyes’ running back Miyan Williams.

Brendan Sorsby started the first two offensive drives under center, where they showcased an option style offense.

“It felt like we came out really flat,” Sorsby said. “We had the opportunity, but we just didn’t execute.”

The Hoosiers had a third-and-1 early but a false start penalty set them back, and ultimately had to punt the ball.

Tayven Jackson then made his first appearance. The Ohio State front seven proved to be a lot for the Hoosiers to handle with their new option offense.

“It’s hard you know,” Jackson said. “A lot of our reads of the defensive ends and linebackers in the Big Ten are freaky athletic so you’re going to have to pay the price, and you have to get into that next play mindset. You’ve got to go fast.”

The Hoosiers rushed the ball 33 times and averaged only 2.2 yards per carry.

Sorsby and Jackson continued to rotate throughout the game, and neither pulled away in terms of performance.

“I think it’s challenging,” Jackson said. “I think I’ve done a phenomenal job; you know just keeping him close with our friendship off the field. So, it’s just going out there and playing football and when your name gets called, go out there and do what you do.”

Sorsby confirmed Jackson and his friendship off the field.

“He’s one of my best friends,” Sorsby said. “We hang out pretty much every day. We’re always doing stuff together. He’s my guy, so I’m rooting for him when he’s out there. He’s rooting for me whenever I’m out there, so it’s no bad blood. Whatever’s best for the team, we want that.”

Sorsby finished the game tallying 8/16 completions with 58 yards passing. He discussed the trouble of splitting reps with another quarterback.

“It’s tougher to get into a rhythm,” Sorsby said. “You never know when you’re going to go in. You never know when you’re going to get pulled out. So, hopefully here soon one of us makes the jump and we’re able to figure out who’s the guy going to be and go from there, but it’s a little tough.”

The second half saw the Hoosiers trailing by multiple scores, so they opened up the passing game in an attempt to make up for the deficit.

“I liked that a little bit more, obviously me being a quarterback,” Sorsby said. “I feel like we started to move the ball a little bit late. But like I said, we just got to start off earlier and we can’t rely on coming back whenever we’re down that much.”

The offense had a difficult time opening up the passing game for a multitude of reasons, but Sorsby noted that he should’ve taken more shots downfield.

“I really felt like I was seeing (the field) well the whole time,” Sorsby said. “I just got to continue to press it down the field and trust my guys and they’re on scholarship just like me. I got to trust them, and you know, we got to go out there and make plays.”

With the first game of the season in the books, and the long-term solution at quarterback yet to be solved, Sorsby noted his areas of improvement for the next time he takes the field.

“Being better in the pocket,” Sorsby said. “Help my offensive line out. No need to be taking sacks like I did; they did a good job of protecting me. I just have to be better with the ball in my hands.”

Jackson finished the day tallying 1/5 and 24 yards passing, along with 11 rushing yards.

“I feel like in the pass game I need to work on it a little bit,” Jackson said. “But you know just next week, next step mindset and prepare for next week.”

Tom Allen announced in his post-game presser that Tayven Jackson will start next Friday against Indiana State, but both quarterbacks are still under evaluation.

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