Written by: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

In week one against Ball State, there were plenty of missed tackles. There were plenty of moments in which the defense wasn’t exactly where it should be. It was the first game under a new defensive coordinator and the first time Indiana players were off the practice field and really tackling.

But that was week one.

Now, it’s week three. And the opponent on the opposite sideline is inferior MAC foe Ball State no longer. Instead, it is one of the nation’s best programs and one of the elite members of the Big Ten East, Ohio State. Unfortunately, the tackling was the same: maybe worse.

“When one person missed a tackle, they were getting too many yards. People should be getting put on the ground when first contact is made. We didn’t do that,” said senior captain linebacker Raekwon Jones after the game.

The most obvious missed tackles came in the running game. The Buckeyes finished the day amassing 306 total rushing yards on just 42 attempts, an astonishing 7.4 yards per carry. Junior tailback JK Dobbins once again made Memorial Stadium his home away from home, having debuted his college career in Bloomington in 2017 with 205 all purpose yards. Today, he matched that performance with 207 all purpose yards, this time tacking on 2 touchdowns to go with it. This time, however, he spent much of the 2nd half on the bench, the game already well out of reach.

“A lot of people are disappointed,” continued Jones. “We need to be very critical of ourselves in the film.”

What was more disappointing than the tackling, though, was the overall effort level. In earlier weeks, a low energy level could have been expected. A Ball State opponent in an empty Lucas Oil Stadium and an FCS Eastern Illinois warranted a lackluster effort. But when a team like Ohio State comes to Bloomington, anything less than 110% leaves Indiana with no chance.

“The effort wasn’t where it was supposed to be, and I think it showed,” said Jones.

“It was a rough day for the Hoosiers. We’ve established a standard on how we are going to play, and we weren’t good enough today,” echoed Coach Allen.

The long-lasting talent disparity has accounted for much of the Buckeye’s 25-game win streak against the Hoosiers. But efforts like today’s are what lead to the worst margin of defeats throughout this entire streak, matching 2006’s 44-3 loss in Columbus.

Now, Indiana will look to the rest of the season. Fortunately, today’s loss likely came against the toughest opponent they’ll face all year. But tackling and effort level will have to be elevated for the remainder of the season for Indiana’s bowl hopes to stay alive.

“You have to be an individual in a program that isn’t deterred by setbacks because they’re going to come, and one just hit us right in the face today,” said Allen.

“So how are you going to respond? That’s what I just challenged our team.”

The first look at how Indiana responds will come next week against UConn, the finale of the Hoosiers’ non-conference slate.

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