COLUMBUS, Ohio — Indiana suffered their first loss of the season in a top-5 matchup Saturday afternoon at Ohio Stadium, falling to the Buckeyes 38-15.
Three quick reasons why IU lost, highlights and final stats are below.
Indiana (10-1, 7-1) will host Purdue for the Old Oaken Bucket next Saturday at Memorial Stadium in the regular season finale.
Watch: IU football coach Curt Cignetti postgame Q&A
THREE QUICK REASONS WHY IU LOST
1. Special teams disasters. Indiana hadn’t really suffered any major special teams blunders during their 10-0 start, but two that bookended halftime completely changed this game. Punter James Evans couldn’t handle a good snap and fell on the ball at the IU 7-yard line, turning it over on downs. OSU scored in three plays to take a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Then early in the third quarter, Ohio State’s Caleb Downs returned an Evans punt 79 yards for a score to push the lead to 21-7.
2. Indiana can’t protect Rourke. For the second straight game, Indiana had major pass protection issues. Ohio State had five sacks and eight tackles for loss. Under a constant barrage of pressure, quarterback Kurtis Rourke struggled throughout. He completed just 8-of-18 passes for 68 yards. Indiana was effective in the running game, but as the lead swelled, consistently running the ball became a less viable option.
3. Pass defense overmatched. He didn’t have a massive game, but Ohio State quarterback Will Howard was efficient and rarely under serious pressure by an Indiana defense that recorded no sacks. Howard completed 22-of-26 throws for 201 yards and two TDs. Indiana’s Jailin Walker did intercept Howard in the first half after D’Angelo Ponds tipped a pass.
HIGHLIGHTS
FINAL STATS
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