Hoosier Football Blog | January 3, 2020 | Photo by Walt Sterneman
Fans of Indiana football are used to heartbreak but this one will rank way up there on the agony meter. Up 22-9 with 8:39 remaining in the 4th quarter and possession of the ball Indiana had a 97.2 percent chance of winning.
But the Hoosiers proceeded to go three-and-out, to give up a 10 play 82 yard touchdown drive, to give up an onside kick and then a 3 play 54 yard touchdown drive, to miss a field goal, and then to fall just short of getting the ball in field goal range on their last drive.
It was an entertaining but strange game all around. Tennessee dominated the first half, especially at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, but due to red zone woes and an unexpectedly solid Indiana defense the Volunteers managed just 6 first half points.
Offensively the Hoosiers were unable to get much going in the first half, largely due to the offensive line’s inability to deal with Tennessee pressure. Freshman Matt Bedford was able to go after being injured in the Purdue game but Fifth Year Senior Simon Stepaniak was unexpectedly out following an injury in practice this week.
Already missing Senior Coy Cronk at left tackle since the UConn game, the Offensive Line had trouble slowing down the Vols’ pass rush and their blitz packages in passing situations. The size and strength of Tennessee’s SEC personnel was definitely evident.
Their speed was on display too as Indiana was unable to get their perimeter passing game going or to run the ball outside the tackles.
However in the second half Indiana’s offense came to life as the Hoosiers scored a touchdown, a field goal and another field goal in their first three possession. Plus the Indiana defense continued to play one of its best games of the season, even coming up with a pick six that really changed the momentum of the game.
But then came the inexplicable meltdown. IU needed basically one stop or one score to seal the ballgame but they were unable to close. And in the process they missed an opportunity to win their first Bowl game since 1991, they missed an opportunity to win 9 games for the first time since 1967, and they missed an opportunity to beat an SEC opponent.
Indiana was in a situation where teams win 97 percent of the time. Here is another stat to give this some perspective:
Indiana finishes the year 8-5 and they appeared in a Bowl game for the third time in five years.
Hoosier fans will debate game management and play-calling and no doubt point some fingers. And they certainly have the right to be frustrated. But in a couple of weeks when the dust settles the 2019 campaign will be viewed as one of the best seasons ever for Indiana football.
From players to coaches to recruiting Indiana Football certainly appears to be a program that is heading in the right direction. The Hoosiers return a lot of talent next year and it will be fun to see what happens in 2020.
So a tip of the hat to these Hoosiers. It was a thrilling ride and we can’t wait to see what happens next!
Originally Published Here
