Game Wrap and Reaction: Nebraska 35 Indiana 21 — Hoosier Huddle

Written by Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

Opponent: Nebraska Cornhuskers

Location: Lincoln, Nebraska

Why They Performed: The Hoosiers and Cornhuskers performed in a Massive Ten East-West crossover matchup.  

What The Recreation Meant: After their first lack of the season final week, this was an opportunity for Indiana to cease the bleeding in opposition to a struggling Cornhusker squad that has already fired Scott Frost. The sport felt key within the Hoosiers’ pursuit of bowl eligibility

High Offensive Performers

Emery Simmons, WR, Indiana- With DJ Matthews and Cam Camper out of the sport to damage and sickness, respectively, Indiana wanted a goal within the receiving core to step up. Simmons supplied that spark, hauling in 6 passes on 11 targets for 57 yards and a landing.

Casey Thompson, QB, Nebraska – Thompson battled by a few accidents all through the sport however was precisely what Nebraska wanted. He completed 18-of-27 for 270 yards and a pair of TDs whereas including one other TD on the bottom.

Trey Palmer, WR, Nebraska – There was no query who Casey Thompson’s favourite goal was. Trey Palmer transformed a number of third downs and completed with 8 receptions for 157 yards and a TD.

High Defensive Performers

Cam Jones, LB, Indiana- Cam Jones as soon as once more led the Hoosiers in tackles with 11, together with one for loss that resulted in a fumble within the endzone for an Indiana landing.

Bryant Fitzgerald, DB, Indiana- Takeaways are the emphasis of the Hoosier protection, and Fitzgerald induced them: he compelled a fumble and caught an interception. He was second on the staff with 8 tackles.

Luke Reimer, LB, Nebraska– Reimer completed with simply 5 tackles, however he all the time gave the impression to be the title making an enormous play for the Cornhuskers. He additionally added an interception.

Particular Crew Efficiency

James Evans dominated the particular groups story for the Hoosiers. The Indiana offense by no means bought clicking, resulting in 11 Evans punts for 443 whole yards. 4 have been higher than 50 yards, and three have been downed contained in the 20.

Charles Campbell hit all 3 of his additional level makes an attempt.

Connor Delp returned punts for Indiana and Jaylin Lucas returned kickoffs.

Key Stat(s)

2 of 15

The Indiana offense was solely capable of rating 14 factors (the opposite 7 got here from the protection) and far of it may be blamed by the Hoosiers’ poor conversion price on third down. Indiana completed the sport simply 2 of 15 on third down, which led to James Evans’ 11 punts within the recreation.

Turning Level

After climbing out of a 14-point deficit, Indiana opened the second half with an interception and three straight punts when Nebraska beat the Indiana secondary on third down for a 71-yard TD move. After battling for subject place a lot of the third quarter, this shifted momentum solely and Indiana was not capable of dig their means out of a deficit once more.

I Knew it Was Over When…

A 12-play, 54-yard landing drive by Nebraska pushed their result in 35-21 with 6:53 left to play within the 4th quarter. The Indiana offense had not achieved something within the second half, and I knew 14 factors was going to be far too massive of a gap to climb out of.

Gamers of the Recreation

Trey Palmer, Nebraska – Palmer was Casey Thompson’s safety blanket goal all evening lengthy, and he answered the bell.

Anthony Grant, Nebraska –When Palmer wasn’t transferring the ball by the air, Grant saved the Cornhuskers balanced on the bottom. He completed with 32 carries for 136 yards.

What I took away from the sport

Indiana entered this matchup in what felt just like the swing recreation of the season; Nebraska had already fired their head coach and was susceptible, whereas a fourth win for Indiana would set them up very effectively for bowl eligibility. Questions concerning the legitimacy of the Hoosiers have been going to be answered this recreation; sadly, they have been answered poorly.

The Indiana offense has severe points. The Nebraska protection had not been capable of cease anybody so far this season, however they appeared mighty succesful in opposition to the Hoosiers. Taking part in with out Bazelak’s high two targets Camper and Matthews is a little bit of a justification, however Indiana’s backups shouldn’t have had such bother in opposition to this secondary. The offensive line, particularly the correct facet, stays a problem; Bazelak takes far too many hits and Indiana can not set up a working recreation. Bazelak will not be away from blame himself, both, as he has struggled with accuracy all season lengthy.

Dasan McCullough and Cam Jones are studs on the defensive facet of the ball, however there have been few different gamers to show reliability so far. Even skilled secondary members like Tiawan Mullen and Jaylin Williams, who have been anticipated to be the power of this protection, have been inconsistent and even have been benched for occasions by Tom Allen.

Talking of Allen, he should do a greater job of making ready the staff to begin higher. Indiana made an emphasis of quicker begins this week in apply, however it didn’t translate to the sphere. Penalties and miscues, which might finally be tied again to the teaching workers, are an enormous purpose why Indiana misplaced this recreation.

The street doesn’t get simpler transferring ahead. Michigan and Maryland journey to Bloomington within the coming weeks, and Indiana is in peril of seeing the season as soon as once more spiral uncontrolled.