Offense Comes Alive But Stalled Out in Key Situations

Indiana offense stalled in the second half Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle

Written By Lauralys Shallow

Indiana lost 49-26 at No. 3 Ohio State, and despite being unable to put up any points in the fourth quarter, IU played a solid game offensively due largely to the passing game and play calling. 

The Numbers

Indiana averaged 5.8 yards a play against one of the toughest defenses in the country. It was impressive Indiana averaged over five yards a play and a major reason why Indiana could put together some nice scoring drives. Even more impressive, Ohio State’s front seven makes it hard to the run ball, and IU effectively moved the ball through the air for the bulk of the game.

The Hoosiers averaged 12.4 yards per completion with 9 different receivers. J-Shun Harris had a career-high 8 receptions for 104 yards, and he caught the ball 13 out of the 15 times he was targeted. Harris flashed his speed and play making ability during his 86-yard punt return against Ball State earlier this season. While Harris has been used primarily in special teams, the 5-8 172-pound speedster has played a big role in IU’s passing game over the past few games. With Whop Philyor and Luke Timian out, IU needed to find production elsewhere, and J-Shun has delivered. Since IU started Big Ten Play three weeks ago, J-Shun has amassed 21 receptions, with six against Michigan State, seven against Rutgers and eight against Ohio State.

Peyton Ramsey went 26-49 and threw for 322 yards and 3 touchdowns. A different receiver caught each of Ramsey’s touchdown passes. Ramsey found Peyton Hendershot for a 32-yard touchdown on a play call that confused the Ohio State defense to cut the Buckeyes lead to 14-10. The ensuing possession, Ramsey orchestrated a 6 play, 70-yard scoring drive capped off by a 19-yard touchdown pass to Nick Westbrook. Then, with just under five minutes remaining in the third, Ramsey found Donovan Hale wide open in the end zone on a three-yard touchdown pass to cut it to an 11-point deficit at 35-26.

IU had two receivers over 100 yards, Westbrook (109) and Harris (104), 406 total yards of offense, and IU went 4-4 in the red zone with one field goal and three touchdowns. The offense was not perfect, and I will talk more about that, but overall IU had a strong showing offensively against an extremely tough opponent.

A Second Half Stall Out

While the IU offense put on a good enough performance to stick around with Ohio State until late in the game, IU could not finish, and Ohio State ran away with the game. After putting up 20 points in the first half, IU scored 6 points in the second half. IU trailed Ohio State by one score at the half and by 11 in the fourth, but Ohio State scored 21 points in the second half compared to IU’s six, and that is why IU lost and Ohio State won.

At times, it has looked like night and day between the IU first half offense and the second half offense. Last week, Indiana lead Rutgers 24-7 at the half, and the Hoosiers won the game 24-17 after failing to score in the second half. IU saw themselves in a similar situation in non-conference play against Virginia, holding on to win 20-16 after a scoreless second half. The offensive imbalance between the first and the second half has been a common trend throughout this season. As we saw against team like Rutgers and Virginia, IU’s defense could keep IU in the position to win, but as we saw against a team like Ohio State, IU cannot afford a to have stagnant offense in the second half or it will lose against the tougher teams in the conference.