With Every Step Forward, IU Took Two Back Against Nebraska

Written by: @zachegreene

The Hoosiers came out flat to start the game and finished the game flat. They put up a battle but there were key drops, penalties, and inconsistency that loomed over the game.

“I thought that we had key drops. Our top two receivers were out so guys had to step up and make plays. We need to have that consistency from our receivers and tight ends. We got to get better up at the front and give ourselves a chance. Jaylin Lucas showed up what he can do. We are continuing to find ways to give him the football. It’s about execution. When it happens good things happen and when it doesn’t it’s not good enough.”

The broadcast stated it perfectly. When the Hoosiers, “took two steps forwards they then took a step back”. It looked good at times for the offensive unit but when it got good they shot themselves in the foot. There were multiple drive-ending drops and penalties that cost the Hoosiers points.

“Some of it can be fixed but some of it can’t. You just got to do your job on the field. If that happens we just have to move on to the next play. We want to prevent them but sometimes we can’t. We just had to roll with it. It wasn’t our job to call the penalties. We just need to go out there and execute on offense.” saidWide Receiver Emory Simmons after the game.

IU did tie the game up 21-21 at the half, but the second half was bad for the offense. They scored zero points and weren’t able to put a drive together. Two straight drives started on their own two-yard line and they weren’t able to get out of their own end zone. 

To start the game, the first two minutes were the worst that anyone has ever seen. The Hoosiers received the ball to start the game and then gained two yards before going three and out. A punt by James Evans put the Cornhuskers on their 30 yards line and two big pass plays later the Cornhuskers were up 7-0 with 13:17 left in the first. Again, the Hoosiers came out flat and started the game behind.  

Blaming the coaching is reasonable after a loss like this. I thought that the play calling was again flat, the offensive line was iffy, and there were players that should not have been in.

During Casey Thompson's touchdown to Trey Palmer in the third quarter, Freshman Phillip Dunman was in the game in the secondary. I love seeing freshmen out on the field getting snaps but I don’t think it was the time to put the true freshman in.

“It definitely is frustrating but we just need to play our plays when our time comes. We got to get back to the drawing board. Get back to practice. It was a good route concept and a good pitch and catch by them. Hats off to those guys. They executed and we did not. It came back and hurt us. ” said CB Bryant Fitzgerald after the game when asked about the deep shots.

The men out on the field were interesting, to say the least. Jaylin Lucas looked awfully impressive but he failed to see the field much in the second half. When he did he was pass-blocking. That was a mistake was on the coaching.

“That’s going to be a point of emphasis without question. He’s a dynamic player and we got to do a better job at giving him the football without question. Said Tom Allen after the game.

The Hoosiers program is going to be in for a brutal awakening this week. Homecoming week. Michigan comes into town as the 4th ranked team in the country and will be looking for payback after their loss two years ago in Bloomington. The Wolverines have dominated their games so far and have really impressed the country. Tom Allen needs to get his program ready for a fight next week on national television.