IU Defense Shuts Out the Spartans as Hoosiers Swipe Spittoon and Move to 4-0
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Image: Indiana University Athletics
Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
The tenth-ranked Indiana Hoosiers travelled to East Lansing with the weight of expectations on their shoulders after an impressive 3-0 start. Tom Allen’s squad kept their blinders on and cruised to a comfortable 24-0 win over Mel Tucker’s Michigan State Spartans (1-3). Despite some offensive sloppiness, the Hoosiers dominated the Spartans to improve to 4-0 and take the Old Brass Spittoon back to Bloomington. IU outgained Michigan State 433 to 191 and created four takeaways in front of a national television audience.
The Indiana Hoosiers were without starting offensive linemen Caleb Jones and Mike Katic as they started the game with ball and drove into MSU territory. Michael Penix knew a blitz was coming and he lobbed a pass down the sideline that was intercepted by Shakur Brown. The Spartans were unable to capitalize on the turnover as they botched a hand-off and were forced to punt. A nice punt pinned IU at the four-yard line and the Hoosiers had to punt it back to Michigan State. Rocky Lombardi threw a pass with too much air and Indiana’s Tiawan Mullen came off of his man to snag the interception at midfield. IU moved into the red zone and Stevie Scott powered through the defense for an eight-yard touchdown to open the scoring. Two plays into Michigan State’s drive, Thomas Allen forced a fumble that was recovered by James Head at the MSU 16-yard line. Ty Fryfogle caught a bubble screen and muscled through a few Spartan defenders, diving in for a 16-yard score. The Hoosiers forced another punt after a Jerome Johnson sack and IU appeared headed in for another touchdown but Shakur Brown intercepted a Michael Penix pass in the end zone. On the very next play though, Rocky Lombardi was picked off by Tiawan Mullen again and IU had the ball at the MSU 25-yard line. The Hoosiers had to settle for a 21-yard field goal from Charles Campbell to go ahead 17-0. The turnovers forced Mel Tucker to pull Lombardi, going to redshirt freshman Payton Thorne. He scrambled for a big gain on his first play in but their drive fizzled out they had to punt. Indiana took over on the 20-yard line and Michael Penix connected with Ty Fryfogle who made a very nice catch and ran away from the defense for a 65-yard touchdown to give Indiana a commanding 24-0 lead. Another sack by Jerome Johnson gave IU the ball back before the half and Charles Campbell missed a 41-yard field goal right before the teams headed to the locker room.
The second half was largely uneventful as IU’s defense continued to suffocate the Michigan State offense and the Hoosiers were content to run the clock out while they had the ball. IU’s defense would get another takeaway as Reese Taylor picked off Rocky Lombardi and ran it back inside of the ten-yard line. IU was unable to convert on a couple of fourth and goal situations with incomplete passes to AJ Barner and Matt Bjorson respectively. The Hoosiers held MSU to 131 passing yards and only 60 rushing yards while racking up 320 yards through the air and 114 on the ground. Michael Penix was 25 of 38 with a pair of touchdowns and two interceptions and Ty Fryfogle had 11 catches for 200 yards with two touchdowns. It was IU’s first shutout road win against a Big Ten opponent since 1993 and the first time in program history they have beaten Penn State, Michigan and Michigan State in the same season. The Hoosiers did lose Thomas Allen to what appeared to be a serious leg injury and Cam Jones left in the first half with an injury after a targeting penalty.
The Hoosiers now turn their attention to Columbus for a showdown next Saturday with the 3-0 Ohio State Buckeyes. That contest will have the attention of the whole country as there will be Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff implications for both the Buckeyes and, perhaps unbelievably, the Indiana Hoosiers. Hoosier Huddle will have ongoing coverage of the win over Michigan State and begin the preview of the huge clash with the Buckeyes.