Indiana football’s defense uncharacteristically allows Cincinnati passing game to excel

Indiana went to the College of Cincinnati in hopes of pulling off a highway upset in its largest problem of the season to this point. The Hoosiers have struggled towards the run this 12 months, however they improved in that space by permitting simply 40 whole dashing yards within the contest.  

Following week one the place Indiana had 23 missed tackles and weeks two and three the place it allowed 126 and 216 yards, respectively, the protection made nice strides to cease the run recreation. Consequently, the Hoosier protection allowed large performs by means of the air. 

[ INSTANT RECAP: Indiana football suffers first loss, bounced by Cincinnati, 45-24]

Cincinnati’s offense got here out buzzing to the tune of 4 first-half passing touchdowns, one in all which got here on a 75-yard bomb from redshirt senior quarterback Ben Bryant to junior receiver Tyler Scott. Scott completed the day with three scores for the Bearcats. All of Scott’s profession receiving touchdowns have eclipsed 20 yards.  

The Indiana protection, which has been often known as a ball-hawking and dependable group within the secondary, seemed like a distinct squad within the first half in comparison with the remainder of the season. 

“The protection allow us to down within the first half,” Indiana head coach Tom Allen stated. “A few of our greatest guys bought beat on double strikes. We adjusted to get them extra assist in the second half, and there weren’t any extra large performs.” 

Regardless of the struggles to include the passing assault, Indiana senior cornerback Tiawan Mullen got here down with a key interception for the Hoosiers early within the second half. The protection appeared like a distinct unit after halftime, shutting down the Bearcats’ assault and permitting just one rating within the recreation’s closing minute, after the end result was all however determined. 

The Bearcats’ main rusher on the day was redshirt senior working again Charles McClelland, who toted the ball 9 instances for 25 yards. Becoming a member of him within the backfield was former Louisiana State College working again Corey Kiner who obtained the vast majority of the touches, ending with 14 carries for simply 17 yards and the late recreation landing.  

As for the Hoosiers’ secondary efficiency, it was uncharacteristic, to say the least. 

“A number of the errors on protection to me have been simply one-on-one guys who bought beat,” Allen stated. “It’s not that we weren’t targeted and enjoying exhausting.” 

Because the season enters the grueling Huge Ten schedule, the Hoosier protection will look to duplicate its first three performances and get again into kind. If it will get on the identical web page with the run and move defenses, the outcomes can pay dividends. Following their first lack of the season, Indiana’s response down the stretch shall be telling of the Hoosiers’ true nature. 

“We simply should get again within the lab and put together, do the little issues,” Mullen stated. “It’s soccer on the finish of the day, and we aren’t simply going to let this loss outline us.”