Written By: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

The Indiana offense came into the Outback Bowl licking their chops as one of the nation’s statistically worst defenses was matched up against them in a bowl game they felt slighted to even be invited to.

Shocked and defeated, they’ll leave Tampa with a long list of things that went wrong.

In his second career start, Jack Tuttle (26-45 Passing, 201 YDS, 1 INT) and company never really felt comfortable or established any sort of offensive rhythm. The Ole Miss defense, allowing over 40 points per game coming into postseason play, put the clamps on the Hoosier offense from the start.

Things were only made more difficult when a hard hit late in the first half left Tuttle, already serving in a backup role after Michael Penix’s injury, heading to the halftime locker room early with what was later revealed to be a separated shoulder. He stayed in the game in the second half, but was visibly uncomfortable after numerous throws.

“He played through some serious pain, had a shoulder separation in his throwing shoulder…There’s no question he was dinged up,” said Tom Allen postgame.

“There’s no excuse, right?” added Tuttle, visibly upset and with his arm in a sling via Zoom after the game. “But yeah, it sucked. I have to find a way to get the job done. It sucks, but I have to find a way to make it happen. I love them and we’re going to come back stronger.”

The Hoosier offense stared down a 13-3 halftime deficit but did find a bright spot on the ground in the second half. Stevie Scott, playing in his first ever bowl game, finished the game leading all rushers with 99 yards on 19 carries with 2 touchdowns. He carried the Hoosiers to outgain the Rebels on the ground (168-147), but they were far outdone through the air (201-346). Despite it all, they had a shot to steal a victory late, just like had been done to them in last year’s Gator Bowl.

Down six and with the ball in the game’s final drive, it looked like Scott was going to be able to avenge the team’s lackluster performance in the prior 58 minutes of gameplay. But unfortunately, it would not be their day, as a poorly timed Tuttle sack coupled with a Whop Philyor (18 catches, 81 yards) screen play for negative yardage ultimately did them in.

“We have to use this bowl game and the last bowl game as double motivation,” said Scott. “That’s two years, back-to-back, that we’ve lost a bowl game. I’m definitely feeling that.”

“Extremely disappointed for our players, they’ve been through so much,” said Allen. “They’ve given so much, worked so hard, sacrificed so much. I’m heartbroken for them we weren’t able to finish with a win.”

Indiana has now lost six consecutive bowl games, a streak that dates back to 1993. They’ll have to wait another year in pursuit of their first postseason victory since the 1991 Copper Bowl.

The Huddle

Indiana Offense Stumbles in Inviting Matchup in Outback Bowl

Hoosier Huddle