Hoosiers need to win two of final three for bowl
The final story remains the same for the Indiana University football team.
The Hoosiers put themselves in position to win only to fall short in the fourth quarter. Against Minnesota on Oct. 26, it was a little different as this time the Hoosiers had to rally from a 31-9 deficit to tie in with 22 points in the fourth quarter only to lose 38-31 on a 67-yard TD pass.
Indiana coach Tom Allen had a bye week to reflect on that loss and it was still frustrating.
“The bottom line is it’s about us finishing in key situations,” Allen said. “We had it there in the fourth quarter once again, fought our tails off to get back in the game, the team did not quit, showed tremendous fight, got us in there late in the fourth quarter. The score was tied. Got ourselves a chance to force a three-and-out, get a punt, have a chance to take the ball, score, win the game.
“It’s about, once again, executing third-and-one, a chance to be able to keep that drive alive, move in field goal range. We already made three field goals, would need to get one more. Then finishing those scores in the red zone in the first half, being able to do that. You have to be able to compete against teams on a given day. You got to be able to execute in those key times. You got to be able to finish plays, make plays, create separation on offense, contested balls, need to focus on that, the details, the little things.”
Coming off the bye week, the Hoosiers (4-5, 1-5 Big Ten) will host Maryland (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten) at noon Saturday. Indiana has lost four in a row and must win two of the next three against Maryland, at Michigan and visiting Purdue to be bowl eligible.
The bye week helped with some injured players, Allen said.
“(Linebacker) T.D. Roof is a guy we’ve been trying to get back,” Allen said. “I think he really benefited. Great to see him out there (Monday), getting back to his normal self.”
Roof missed the game at Minnesota.
Safety Marcelino Ball also missed a big chunk of the game against Minnesota but the time off benefitted him as well.
“I think just all of our guys that got dinged up,” Allen said. “A lot of times those situations are the only thing to really get them healthy is rest. That’s tough to do when you’re trying to get ready for another one. Those two guys jump out to me.”
It was critical helping the receiver corps as well. Allen said Peyton Hendershot was back practicing Monday.
“That was big to see him back there moving around. That bye week was huge for him, as well,” Allen said. “Get our offensive line healthy, defensive line healthy. (Linebacker) Reakwon (Jones) is working hard to get back. His diagnosis was better than we expected, which is good. He’s, working hard to get his body back.”
Hoosiers defensive tackle Jacob Robinson, a team captain, has been sidelined since the first game.
“He’s another one with the time to continue to rehab, work hard, get his leg to where we feel like it can be effective,” Allen said. “Big thing with him is you want to make sure he’s not going to put himself in position that would further hurt him. Our doctors feel good about that. Another week of doing what he’s doing helps him. He’s a guy that provides so much leadership for our team whether he’s in the game or not. We’ll try to get him more reps, compared to before, which wasn’t much. I think each time he’ll get more and more. I’d like to see him get back to as full strength as possible.
