In quadruple overtime, Indiana (2-2) defeated the Akron Zips (1-3) 29-27.
The focus all week has been on Indiana’s inability to convert in the red zone. Last weekend Indiana’s last offensive drive ended on fourth and goal. They had an opportunity to tie with Louisville and after a questionable play call, they could not convert.
In a wicked twist of fate, that is how Indiana won Saturday’s game.
Regulation was made up of stale football from Indiana. The defensive performance was dismal. While they had three interceptions and one for a pick-six, they allowed Akron 474 yards in total offense. Akron averages 262 yards per game.
The offense was lackluster. Akron quickly found a way to shut down Indiana’s go-to man, Jaylin Lucas, leaving Indiana with only 92 rushing yards. A single touchdown and field goal were all the Indiana offense had to show for itself. The Hoosiers had two chances at fourth and goal during regulation; one a wildcat formation with former quarterback Donaven McCulley that resulted in a turnover on downs and the other ending in a field goal.
“I think there’s no question that some of those calls leading up to it need to be a little more careful in those situations, not to create a takeaway and put you in any worse situation,” head coach Tom Allen said regarding the play calling and execution. “[It] was very frustrating and not good enough.”
When it looked like Indiana might skate by with a fourth quarter win, Akron tied the game with less than four minutes left in the game. A missed field goal attempt from the Zips with no time left sent the game to overtime.
To win Indiana would have to do what it has struggled with most — convert into the red zone.
Akron’s quarterback DJ Irons ran it into the end zone first. Indiana answered with a Tayven Jackson to Cam Camper connection.
Double overtime became the battle of the kickers. Neither team met the endzone, but both put up three.
Triple overtime. The defense held Akron. Offense could have called the game there with a wide-open Jaylin Lucas, but Jackson didn’t see him.
“He’s not my read,” Jackson said. “It’s 1-2-3 and get out of there, so I’ve never looked at Jaylin ever running that play in practice.”
Quadruple overtime. Indiana had the ball at Akron’s 3-yard line. Indiana lined up in that same wildcat formation with McCulley that cost Indiana a touchdown earlier. McCulley pitched it to Jackson who found DeQuece Carter, the transfer from Fordham who has yet to declare his prominence on the offense. The defense ended the game.
While play-calling is one of the first things people may want to blame, much more contributed to near-loss. Inability to execute, inconsistency and lack of focus leading up to the game all contributed.
“I did not like at all the way we practiced,” Allen said. “I just sensed the lack of understanding of who we’re playing and they’re ability to beat you.”
With Big Ten play from here on out, Indiana could be looking at an exceptionally long rest of the season.
“We play a Big Ten team next week, and what we did out there tonight is not going to cut it,” Jackson said.
The Hoosiers will be in College Park to take on Maryland (4-0) next Saturday.
