In case you’re new here – Welcome to Indiana football. Indiana has a history of playing top teams well for two to three quarters, but lacking the ability to finish the game strong and claim victory. Indiana had many winning chances this past weekend over #10 ranked Michigan State (MSU), but head coach Tom Allen made some questionable coaching decisions that contributed to IU’s devastating loss for the third week in a row.
Jack Tuttle had a solid performance- especially strong for a backup quarterback with just a few starts in his career. His low light was a pick six in the first quarter, but some blame could arguably be placed upon the coaching staff rather than Tuttle himself. The decision to play Donaven McCulley, the freshman quarterback from Indianapolis, just the play before seemed odd to fans and analysts alike. Many Hoosiers were confused on whether Tuttle was injured, as the decision seemed peculiar when Tuttle suddenly returned later in the game. Experienced quarterbacks would find it challenging to come in on 3rd & 8 and obtain the first down; less experienced quarterbacks who have not been in the whole drive would find that a major hurdle to conquer. Coaching required McCulley to continue to do option runs throughout the game, which left fans wondering if this hindered Tuttle’s momentum and rhythm.
On the first drive for IU, the offense looked great passing the ball and converting to first downs. The offense did not call a run until they got onto the six yard line of MSU with a run to Davion Ervin-Ponindexter for three yards. The next play, Stephen Carr ran a wildcat play for a one yard gain. On the last play on 3rd down, Tuttle needed to get the ball into the endzone, but was sacked, forcing Charles Campbell to kick a field goal. This begs the question: why after successfully passing the ball did Indiana run the ball and even attempt a trick play with the wildcat?
Continuing the motif of coaching miscues, two timeouts were wasted at the end of the first half when they would have been key later that half. On 4th & 4 with 1:34 to go in the first half, Indiana appeared to be looking to convert with the offense on the field. However, IU attempted what has become popular in college football in a play requiring the quarterback to run under center and attempting to force the defense to jump offsides. This typically only works on short yardage situations such as 4th & 1 or at most 4th & 2. With the high improbability of Tuttle sneaking the ball on 4th & 4, no offsides penalty was forced. Indiana wasted a timeout, and further added to the bad decision making by sending out the punting unit- only to try the same strategy, which was also unsuccessful.
Indiana finally punted the ball, and the defense successfully stopped Michigan State, forcing them to immediately punt the ball back to Indiana. As the Hoosiers now had the ball at their 42 yard line, those two timeouts became keenly missed. On 2nd & 4, Tuttle completed a pass to Peyton Hendershot for a 1st down which stopped the clock momentarily. As Tuttle searched the sideline for the next play, it appeared the IU coaching staff did not have a play ready as Tuttle was waving his hands in the air. This forced Tuttle to call the last Indiana timeout himself after three seconds drained off the clock. The fiasco ended in a 55 yard field goal attempt by Charles Campbell that missed as time expired.
The defense played extremely well and held the country’s top rushing running back, Kenneth Walker III, to only 84 yards on 23 carries. For the defense, holding a top 10 team to only 13 offensive points is quite a feat along with racking up two interceptions and two sacks.
Indiana will play next weekend in Memorial Stadium against #5 Ohio State. The Buckeyes are 5–1, though Indiana typically plays Ohio State well. Hoosier Nation will still be waiting to see if Indiana can compete in all four quarters.
Notable Stat Lines:
Jack Tuttle (QB) – 28/52, 188 yds, 2 INT, 1 fumble
Stephen Carr (RB) – 19 carries, 53 yds, 2.3 yds per carry, 1 TD
Ty Fryfogle (WR) – 7 receptions, 65 yds, 9.3 yds average
Noah Pierre (DB) – 9 TOT, 8 solo, 1 TFL, 1 INT
Micah McFadden (LB) – 9 TOT, 4 solo, 1.5 sacks, 2.5 TFL
Charles Campbell (K) – 3/4 FG, 44 yd long