October 16, 2022 | DaddyHoosier | iufb.net
The Indiana Football Hoosiers let one slip between their fingers Saturday in Bloomington. Maryland left the door open for IU but Indiana was unable to overcome three turnovers and spotty execution as the Terrapins ultimately prevailed 38-33.
It look as though things might get out of hand early as Junior Quarterback Connor Bazelak threw an interception on the very first offensive play of the game. Maryland scored a touchdown on a Taulia Tagovailoa scamper in just four plays and with less than two minutes of time run off the clock.
The Hoosiers responded however with an 11-play drive that netted a Charles Campbell field goal to make it 7-3 with 8:53 remaining in the 1st quarter.
Every time it looked like Maryland might run away with it Indiana reeled the Terps back in. Leading 14-3 and driving early in the 2nd quarter, it looked as if Maryland was going to make it a three-score game. The IU defense held though and forced a field goal attempt that the Terps missed.
Indiana responded with not one but two touchdowns and IU took a 17-14 lead into halftime . But Maryland returned the opening kickoff of the 2nd half beyond mid-field and proceeded to score in just four plays, gabbing back a 21-17 lead.
Bazelak then threw another interception on the first offensive play of the half and again it look as though there Terps we’re going to make it a two-possession game. But again the defense held Maryland to a field goal.
The Hoosiers scored the next 10 making it 27-24. From there IU had a couple of chances to put Maryland in a tough spot it were unable to do so.
With 10:41 remaining in the game the Hoosiers took possession with a three point lead, a chance to add to it, and with Maryland Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa having exited the game with an unfortunate injury. The offense could not capitalize though, but the defense had its chance to get Maryland off the field and the offense another shot at it.
It seemed as though Indiana had made the stop they needed, forcing an incompletion on 3rd and 5 from the Maryland 44 but Senior Safety Devon Matthews was called for Unsportsmanlike Conduct, keeping the Terp drive alive. Maryland would score the go-ahead TD six plays later.
IU fumbled on the second play of the ensuing drive and gave up a back-breaking 4y6-yard Roman Hemby run on 3rd and 9. That play set up Maryland’s final score which for all intents and purposes put the game out of reach for Indiana.
Long story short, Indiana did well to keep hitting back but they were unable to deliver the knockout blow and Maryland made them pay for it.
Positives
When you go 14-7 over a two-year span and beat 3 ranked opponents talking about moral victories is a regression. But Indiana was competitive for much of the Michigan last week (the Wolverines are pretty good by the way). And I think most people would consider Maryland a Top 40 team in the country and a lot of people walk away from yesterday’s game feeling Indiana could have and should have won. It didn’t feel like Indiana was out-matched or out-classed.
The difference between 4-8 and 8-4 in FBS is surprisingly small. These toss-up games usually come down to a handful of plays. The point being you would think by all the angst and hand-wringing that is happening that IU is lighyears away from being a Bowl caliber football team. That is not the case, they are not that far off.
The offense scores 33 points and had 351 total yards. The Hoosiers had 11 receivers make a catch. The IU Defense held Maryland to 270 passing yards and didn’t have any catastrophic coverage busts.
Indiana was able to convert two 4th and short attempts on the ground, and during important drives as well. To be able to do that should be a confidence boost for the offensive line. The pass protection also looked better today. Was it sparkling? No, but by being decent you give yourself a chance.
Not so good
Connor Bazelak continues to float balls to the defense and to struggle with inaccuracy. I’m not going to sugar coat it, at this point it’s starting to feel like IU is starting every game -1 in turnover ratio. I identified this issue in the Illinois game and there is no reason at this point to think it’s going to get any better. Baze has almost 1,900 passing yards, 12 TDs, and some brilliant clutch drives but it feels like feast or famine at times.
Three turnovers – It’s difficult enough to win as it is. To put yourself at a disadvantage like that makes it an uphill battle.
When you adjust sack yardage out of it, IU had 28 carries for 51 yards. Yes they coverted the aforementioned 4th downs but beyond that there wasn’t a whole lot going on. I’m not against pass-heavy offenses but you have to be able to run if you need to.
There were too many missed tackles. Overall Aaron Casey had a good game but there were a couple of plays where he just flat out came in too high and didn’t have good pad level.
Where we go from here
Indiana will travel to New Jersey to face Rutgers next Saturday. The Scarlet Knights will present their own challenges but this is an opportunity to get to 4-4 on the season.
And that’s really it. Nothing profound. Just keep grinding.
