The Hoosiers are one win closer to a bowl game, advancing to 3-6 after defeating Wisconsin 20-14, with three games remaining on their schedule.
For the fourth week in a row Indiana scored first, but this time Indiana held on to that lead for four quarters. Through a strong first drive, the Indiana offense marched effortlessly down the field, correcting mistakes, and making necessary adjustments. The team looked confident with another week under the leadership of Brendan Sorsby. Although listed as questionable prior to the game, Sorsby was the one to put the Hoosiers up with an eight-yard run.
The rest of the game did not go as smoothly. The second drive ended in a missed field goal. Indiana had to settle for a field goal halfway through the second quarter after overthrowing Donaven McCulley in the endzone twice. A defensive miscommunication pre-snap led to a 54-yard Wisconsin touchdown.
Right before half, Sorsby did make that McCulley connection, still thrown a little high but barely snagged out of the air by three of McCulley’s fingers. This gave the Hoosiers a 10-point lead and the momentum going into the half.
“Obviously it was a difficult catch,” McCulley said. “I saw the ball in my hand and was like ‘Woah, I caught it.’ It was a good play.”
Through the first half, Indiana out-possessed the Badgers 20:56-9:04. The defense held the Wisconsin offense to only two third down conversions and 157 yards of offense.
The second half did not bear the same results. Wisconsin came out and scored a touchdown within the first five minutes. The defense looked slow, and the offense had much less aggressive play-calling and too many three and outs, converting on only one third down with 36 yards of offense.
However, in front of the best-retained crowd Indiana has seen all season, Indiana was able to convert the energy into big defense stops at the end and a powerful final offensive drive. Indiana was held to a field goal, and the defense ended the game shortly after.
“Really appreciative, our crowd was awesome,” Allen said. “It makes a difference in the fourth quarter, makes a difference on third downs.”
The Hoosiers’ win can be attributed to a lot of mistakes they have learned to correct. With only two penalties Indiana kicked themselves in the foot much less than in previous games. That is not to say those penalties were not costly, one resulting in a Wisconsin touchdown on an otherwise dead drive. Another common mistake absent from this game was the turnovers.
“Protecting the football is a big deal. Got two takeaways, plus two,” Allen said, “That's the biggest stat in football.”
Consistency in the quarterback position has benefitted the Hoosiers. It seems the team is much more confident and adaptable under Sorsby, with 225 offensive yards in the first half but only 36 in the second. Sorsby went 19-for-31 for 186 yards.
The defense is another key to the Hoosiers victory. While they did a much better job holding Wisconsin during the first half, Indiana made the stops when they needed to, allowing only two touchdowns. Aaron Casey shined among the defense once again, with nine tackles- four for loss- two sacks, and a forced fumble.
“You have to have your best players step up and play really well in games like this, a game you know you have to win, against a really good team,” Allen said. “Proud of him and proud of all the guys around him.”
It was a must win for Indiana, who have been stressing that a bowl is their goal. Coming off a tough loss to No. 9 Penn State left Indiana desperate to win the last of their four games. Wisconsin is the first they checked off the list. Left is at Illinois, Michigan State at home, and at Purdue. It will not be easy, but the momentum and energy are the best the Hoosiers have had all season.
“It’s win or go home. It’s that simple,” McCulley said. “None of us want to go home. We want to go to a bowl game.”
Next week Indiana will face Illinois in Champaign at noon on Big Ten Network.
