COLUMBUS, Ohio – No. 5 Indiana lost its first game of the season Saturday at No. 2 Ohio State, 38-15.
The Hoosiers entered the game with the nation’s second-highest scoring offense, but they generated just 151 total yards and finished with a season-low 15 points. Ohio State sacked Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke five times, and he completed just 8-of-18 passes for 68 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions and one fumble.
Here’s everything Rourke said after the game.
On if it was the first time Indiana had used a silent count…
Advertisement
Rourke: “In game, yeah, but we practiced it all week. So it wasn’t anything that was new to us.”
On what Ohio State was doing to be so impactful when blitzing…
Rourke: “They brought some good blitzes and timed it up well. Just had some good plays called and executed better.”
On what it couldn’t repeat from a successful first drive for the rest of the game…
Rourke: “I think we just executed better, at a lot higher level that first drive. We were able to take advantage of looks in plays that we had, then we didn’t execute down the stretch after that as well as we want to. In games like this, you have to.”
Advertisement
On what made Ohio State’s blitzes successful…
Rourke: “It’s all stuff that we’ve seen before. I gotta do a better job of recognizing them and knowing where to go with the ball. As an offense, just be able to learn from a game like this and make sure it doesn’t happen.”
On the team’s mentality after a loss, knowing there’s still plenty to play for…
Rourke: “A loss is never fun, but the good news is that we’ve got another game next week, a big game, a rivalry game. So take 24 hours, then get ready for Purdue.”
On frustration over uncharacteristic mistakes…
Advertisement
Rourke: “You gotta be close to perfect to beat a team like this, and we’re gonna have a chance to play a lot of similar teams like this. So knowing that we can’t have these mistakes and we gotta be on our game for the whole game, it’s a learning opportunity. But gotta be able to move on now and not have any more learning opportunities.
On if any of the mistakes surprised him, given Indiana’s veteran roster…
Rourke: “I wouldn’t think so. I think it’s just attention to detail. I always look to myself, knowing that there’s some plays I want to have back, some throws that I need to have in order for this team to move the ball down the field. There’s a lot of opportunities that I’m upset at myself and knowing that it won’t happen again. Those are mistakes that can’t continue, especially at this time of the season.”
On if there are parts of the offense Indiana has to junk after they didn’t work…
Rourke: “I don’t think so. Just gotta trust that moving forward we’re gonna handle it. I whole heartedly trust the offensive line, tight ends and receiver group and running backs. So my mindset doesn’t change, that I don’t need to do anything differently because I’ve been sacked a couple times. Biggest thing is I gotta protect the ball when I’m getting hit. That’s something I need to work on. It’s happened a couple times this year.”
Advertisement
On the frustration of playing behind the sticks so much…
Rourke: “Yeah, it’s hard to win games when you have second and third and long. You gotta capitalize on those. So even going back to Michigan week, we gotta make sure we don’t put ourselves in those tough situations, because it’s hard to win games, like I said.”
On the difficulty of facing many third and long situations…
Rourke: “It’s tough, especially with a defense that’s as talented as they are. Like I mentioned, it’s difficult to convert on third and long, especially a good defense. But we had an opportunity to convert, and we weren’t able to. So that’s pointed at us as well. We’re gonna be in those situations, and we’re gonna need to be able to capitalize better than we did today.”
On if Indiana has done enough this season to show it’s one of the best teams in the country…
Advertisement
Rourke: “Yeah, I hope so. We trust ourselves against anybody, and we look forward to hopefully an opportunity to get a rematch at some point. But just knowing that next week is the big game and we gotta go handle Purdue, and then take it one game at a time.”
These are the top stories on Fox 32’s Week in Review.
CHICAGO – The body of a missing woman was found in a Northwest Indiana field; an Illinois State Trooper was hit and killed on a highway in Will County on Christmas Eve; and there were plenty of big lottery jackpot prizes up for grabs.
Advertisement
These are the top stories on Fox 32’s Week in Review.
Jamie Vlamos-Jones: Missing woman’s body found in NW Indiana field, cause of death revealed
The cause of death for a Porter County woman found dead in a wooded area near the Little Calumet River has been revealed.
Advertisement
An independent search team discovered 45-year-old Jamie Vlamos-Jones of Valparaiso around 10:30 a.m. Thursday near the 2100 block of Clay Street in Lake Station.
FULL STORY
Advertisement
Jamie Vlamos-Jones: Missing woman’s body found in NW Indiana field, cause of death revealed
The cause of death for a Porter County woman found dead in a wooded area near the Little Calumet River has been revealed.
Cook County jury awards $66M to family of woman who died after tummy tuck, liposuction
A Cook County jury awarded more than $66 million to the family of a woman who died in 2019 after undergoing surgery for a tummy tuck and liposuction.
Advertisement
The family’s attorney called it a “shameful case of medical malpractice.”
FULL STORY
Advertisement
Cook County jury awards $66M to family of woman who died after tummy tuck, liposuction
A Cook County jury awarded more than $66 million to the family of a woman who died in 2019 after undergoing surgery for a tummy tuck and liposuction.
Who will receive the $1,400 stimulus checks? Here’s how to check.
Approximately 1 million taxpayers will automatically receive special payments of up to $1,400 from the IRS in the coming weeks. The funds will be directly deposited into eligible individuals’ bank accounts or sent via paper check.
Advertisement
FULL STORY
Cook County women and teens accused of Oak Brook Sephora theft; employee assaulted and officer threatened
Two Cook County women and two teenage boys are facing serious charges after allegedly stealing from a Sephora store at Oak Brook Mall Sunday evening.
Advertisement
Marisol Ocampo, 35, of Chicago, is charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, two counts of burglary, and one count of retail theft. Deysi Villalobos, 32, of Melrose Park, faces similar charges, including contributing to the delinquency of a minor, three counts of burglary and three counts of retail theft.
FULL STORY
Illinois State Police trooper hit, killed by car on I-55 in Will County
Advertisement
An Illinois State Trooper was killed Monday night in Will County when he was struck by a car while removing debris from an expressway.
It happened on the very same day designated as “Scott’s Law Day” in Illinois, a day to remind drivers to slow down and move over when approaching emergency vehicles.
FULL STORY
Advertisement
Illinois state trooper killed by passing vehicle just before Christmas
An Illinois State Trooper was killed Monday night in Will County when he was struck by a car while removing debris from an expressway.
1 dead, 4 seriously injured, including 3 children, after crash on Chicago’s West Side
Advertisement
A woman died, and four people, including three children, were in serious condition after a crash last Sunday afternoon on the West Side.
The crash occurred just before 1:30 p.m. in the 4300 block of West Lake Street.
FULL STORY
Advertisement
Illinois Lottery player wins $1M after purchasing Powerball ticket at Jewel-Osco in Cook County
An Illinois Lottery player won $1 million after purchasing a Powerball ticket at a Jewel-Osco grocery store in Cook County.
The winning ticket was purchased at the Melrose Park store located at 800 North Ave.
Advertisement
FULL STORY
$1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot claimed by NJ resident: Will they stay anonymous?
The lucky winner has finally come forward to claim a huge lottery prize, ending a nearly nine-month-long mystery.
Advertisement
So, who won the $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot?
FULL STORY
Advertisement
$1.22 billion Mega Millions jackpot sparks excitement across Chicago
With no winners on Christmas Eve, the Mega Millions jackpot reached $1.22 billion on Friday.
Cook County judge orders release of Chicago man convicted of murder following unconstitutional trial ruling
Just two days before Christmas, Hilton Keller, a Chicago man who has served more than three decades behind bars is being released after a wrongful conviction ruling.
Advertisement
On Monday, a Cook County Circuit Court judge vacated his murder conviction after determining that Keller was not given a fair trial in the 1990s.
FULL STORY
Advertisement
Judge vacates Chicago man’s murder conviction
Hilton Keller was convicted at 18 for the May 1991 armed robbery and murder of Ollie Jones but has consistently maintained his innocence, claiming that critical evidence was withheld and a gang leader may have framed him.
Chicago fugitive on the run after removing electronic monitor, sheriff’s office says
A Chicago man charged with burglary is on the run after allegedly removing his electronic monitoring device, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office said.
Advertisement
Jermail Conley, 41, was placed on electronic monitoring on Oct. 3 after being charged with burglary, the sheriff’s office said.
The Indiana Hoosiers (9-3) will host the Winthrop Eagles (10-4) after victories in four straight home games. It starts at 4:00 PM ET on Sunday, December 29, 2024.
Indiana defeated Chattanooga 74-65 at home last time out, and were led by Malik Reneau (14 PTS, 8 REB, 3 STL, 58.33 FG%) and Mackenzie Mgbako (14 PTS, 71.43 FG%, 3-4 from 3PT).
In its previous game, Winthrop were winners at home over Mercer, 102-97. Its top performers were Nick Johnson (22 PTS, 2 STL, 63.64 FG%, 2-4 from 3PT) and Kasen Harrison (20 PTS, 63.64 FG%).
Before this college hoops showdown, here is what you need to get ready for Sunday’s action.
Advertisement
Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Watch college basketball on Fubo!
Indiana Hoosiers vs. Winthrop Eagles
Game day: Sunday, December 29, 2024
Game time: 4:00 PM ET
TV: BTN
Live stream: Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
NCAA Basketball Odds and Betting Lines
Spread: Indiana -15.5
Total: 162.5
College basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Sunday at 12:59 AM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.
Watch college basketball on Fubo!
Follow the latest college sports coverage at College Sports Wire.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.
Advertisement
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. FTW operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
BLOOMINGTON — The Indiana women’s basketball team is heading into 2025 on a six-game win streak after beating Wisconsin 83-52 on Saturday afternoon at Assembly Hall.
The Hoosiers (10-3; 2-0 Big Ten) were in control after an 18-2 run in the first quarter. The Badgers (10-3; 1-1 Big Ten) scored a season-low 52 points — it was only the third time this season they scored less than 60 — as their five-game win streak came to an end.
Indiana forward Lilly Meister matched her season-high with 20 points (9 of 13) to lead all scorers. Shay Ciezki (14 points), Sydney Parrish (13 points) and Yarden Garzon (13 points) also scored in double-digits.
Advertisement
“Our kids executed the game plan as good as we wanted them to,” Indiana women’s basketball coach Teri Moren said. “Really happy with the way we played this afternoon.”
The Hoosiers starters were done for the day with 2:46 to go in the game.
Portal tracker: Indiana football transfer portal tracker: Who’s in, who’s out for the Hoosiers
Indiana’s front court faces off against Wisconsin’s leading scorer Serah Williams
Indiana forwards Lilly Meister and Karoline Striplin held their ground against Wisconsin’s Serah Williams on Saturday afternoon.
The 6-foot-4 forward came into the game averaging 20.0 points per game on 54.1% shooting and 12.3 rebounds. She’s one of only four players in the conference averaging 20 or more points and recently set a career-high with 36 points in a win over Butler.
Advertisement
Indiana occasionally doubled Williams, but much of the Hoosiers success came from Meister and Striplin matching her physicality in the low post and contesting every one of her shot attempts while avoiding contact.
Williams, who averaged 9.3 free-throw attempts in her team’s last three games, only made one trip to the free-throw line on Saturday.
She closed out the first quarter with just two points on 1 of 6 shooting and finished the first half with as many turnovers (three) as field goals. She finished the game with 13 points on 6 of 13 shooting, it was only the second time all season she shot under 50%.
“We kept Serah uncomfortable for most of the game,” Moren said. “I thought our pace was not something she was incredibly excited about in terms of getting up and down the floor. We wore her out, that was our goal to make her tired.”
Advertisement
The best stretch of the game for Wisconsin came when it hit three straight 3-pointers during an 11-0 run late in the first quarter, but that scoring outburst was an anomaly. That was the only time the Badgers scored on three straight possessions and they made only one other 3-pointer the rest of the game.
They didn’t have any field goals the final 4:31 of the game.
Indiana women’s basketball has found its footing on offense
Indiana’s early-season shooting woes are long gone.
The Hoosiers shot better than 50% for a fourth straight game and fifth time in six games and also tied a season-high going 50% from 3-point range (9 of 18). They have also scored more than 80 points in three straight games for the first time since the 2022-23 season.
It was a team effort as IU players continue to share the basketball — it had 25 assists on 32 field goals — and for the first time this season really pushed the tempo. The Hoosiers had 22 fast break points with Chloe Moore-McNeil, who had a game-high seven assists, and Ciezki really pushing the pace off Wisconsin’s miscues.
Advertisement
The Badgers tied a season-high with 18 turnovers while IU had a season-low eight turnovers.
“We talk about how much better of a basketball team we are when we’re playing in space, when we are playing with pace and get the ball out of our hands,” Moren said. “You’ve heard me say it a lot of times, there’s moments when the ball sticks and we hold onto it. We’ve really talked about our ball movement and getting it out of our hands quicker.”
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24924653/236780_Google_AntiTrust_Trial_Custom_Art_CVirginia__0003_1.png "Google’s counteroffer to the government trying to break it up is unbundling Android apps")
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25672934/Metaphor_Key_Art_Horizontal.png "There’s a reason Metaphor: ReFantanzio’s battle music sounds as cool as it does")
