Hoosiers Top Cardinals in Season Opener 34-24
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Michael Ziemba celebrates a tackle for loss in Indiana’s 34-24 win Image: Sarah Miller Hoosier Huddle
Written by: TJ Inman
The Indiana Hoosiers and Ball State Cardinals are familiar foes that have clashed several times in the past decade. After Ball State won three straight in the series, IU has bounced back and won the past two. The two squared off again at Lucas Oil Stadium as they kicked off the 2019 season. Despite some shaky play and a couple of first half turnovers, IU did enough to top the Cardinals 34-24.
Michael Penix Jr. made his first career start and, despite a couple of mistakes, he showed why he was chosen as IU’s starting quarterback. He finished with 326 yards on 24-40 passing with one touchdown and showed that his leg is completely healthy as he added 67 yards rushing. IU’s offense racked up 474 total yards to Ball State’s 398. Logan Justus was perhaps the brightest star of the day as he was a perfect 4-4 with three kicks of more than 40 yards.
Ball State received the opening kickoff and began at the 35. They were unable to generate much offense and the drive finished with a punt to the nine yard line. The Hoosiers moved across midfield with a nice pass to tight end Matt Bjorson. The drive stalled at the 31 yard line and kicker Logan Justus connected on a 48 yard field goal. Ball State was able to answer as they received some assistance from the IU defense in the form of a pass interference penalty. They marched inside the ten yard line but had to settle for a 22 yard field goal from Ryan Rimmler that tied the score at three. IU’s offense found the explosiveness they were looking to instill all offseason as on the second play of the ensuing drive, Michael Penix connected on a deep ball with Nick Westbrook who jogged into the end zone for a 74 yard score to put IU ahead 10-3. Ball State had to punt and IU had an early chance to create separation. However, Michael Penix tried to force the ball downfield but did not see the Cardinals defense and he was picked off. Ball State took over at the IU 45 and capitalized with a short touchdown to Caleb Huntley to tie things again, this time at ten.
The Hoosiers had a good drive going but Ty Fryfogle stumbled out of his break and Penix’s pass was intercepted again. Ball State marched across midfield as the IU defense again aided them with a pass interference penalty. However, they failed on 4th and four as the Hoosier defense stiffened in scoring territory. IU moved it well and had a chance at a touchdown but Whop Philyor was unable to come up with a pass into the endzone and then he dropped a slant on 3rd and 7. Logan Justus connected on another field goal, this one coming from 30 yards. Ball State was forced to punt and IU took over with a 13-10 lead at the ten yard line. Penix moved the Hoosiers down the field and Logan Justus nailed a 49 yard field goal with one second remaining in the half. IU headed to the locker room ahead 16-10.
The second half began with IU taking the ball at the 37 after a good kickoff return from David Ellis. Indiana showed some creativity on a reverse to Whop Philyor for a big gain and they finished the drive with a plunge up the middle for a four yard touchdown by Stevie Scott. It was a 3:07 drive that put Indiana ahead 23-10. Ball State refused to go away though as they converted a 2nd and 17 for a long touchdown on a screen pass to Walter Fletcher. The third quarter ended just as it began with IU leading by six. Indiana’s Nick Westbrook dropped a long pass but Michael Penix persevered and drove the Hoosiers down the field into scoring position. Stevie Scott finished the drive with a two yard touchdown for Scott and the Hoosiers added a two-point conversion on a fun play that saw freshman receiver David Ellis throw to Peyton Hendershot. With 13:47 remaining, IU led 31-17. Ball State responded with another touchdown as Drew Plitt found Yo’Heinz Tyler to cut the lead to 31-24. The Hoosiers redshirt freshman quarterback had to deal with real game pressure but he put IU’s offense into position and Logan Justus, who was outstanding all day, hit a 50-yard field goal to put IU ahead 34-24 with 2:15 to play. Ball State’s desperation drive led them into IU territory but Jaylin Williams ended the comeback attempt as he picked off Plitt’s pass and gave IU the ball back. The Hoosiers ran out the clock and left Lucas Oil Stadium with a 34-24 victory and a 1-0 record.
Indiana was far from perfect and there is a lot to work on as they head into next week’s matchup against the Eastern Illinois Panthers. However, they never trailed and were able to leave a neutral site game with a double-digit win. Hoosier Huddle will have extensive coverage of the week one victory and the 2019 season.