IU, Kevin Wilson lose in season debut 27-20 to Ball State

With two new coaching staffs facing off on each sideline, there was plenty of uncertainty heading into the season opener at Lucas Oil Stadium between IU and Ball State. The Cardinals won their second straight win over Indiana, 27-20 to start the season off with a win.

After scoring on the first three drives, the Indiana offense struggled to produce.

The game was lost in the trenches, IU center Will Matte was the first to admit it.

“We came out and it was a great first but we didn’t play the whole game. I personally played really, really bad and it was disappointing after working our butts off all offseason.”

Coach Wilson was surprisingly calm in his first post-game news conference but it was evident he was not happy. We saw his personality come out in a few plays where the Hoosiers went for it on 4th down. All said and done, Wilson believes in this team, and I like that. But there were plenty of plays Indiana left on the field.

“We’ll see if were worth a flip in Big Ten play. We need to make plays quickly.”

The absence of starting defense-end Darius Johnson was extremely noticeable for the Hoosiers who struggled putting pressure on quarterback Keith Wenning. Wilson would not elaborate on Johnson any further and did not specify whether it was injury or for breaking team rules.

Other tidbits:

–Previous plays were signaled in by three quarterbacks on the sideline. This year, just two (Adam Follett and Teddy Schell) and the signals are far less obvious and funny to watch.

–Wright-Baker played strong in his first game as the team’s top guy. He finished 20-32, 375 yards and a TD. Most of the throws were quick to the sidelines or across the middle but he did connect with Damarlo Belcher for a 65-yard touchdown. He did try to force a few throws into triple coverage. He has used his speed when necessary in attempt to get around pressure–succeeding about half the time.

–The offensive line wasn’t providing much time for Wright-Baker to operate, forcing him to scramble more than he would like. Again, the trenches hurt IU.

–I like Shane Wynn at receiver and kick returner. One of the few players Wilson recruited in this first class, Wynn shows great speed and force up the field.

–Wilson went bold early when on the first series, he went for it on 4th and 1 which Matt Perez carried into the end zone for a score from 9 yards out. Another sign of trickery at the end of the third quarter when the Hoosiers ran a reverse in Ball State territory. Then at the start of the 4th, Wilson opted to go for it on 4th and 3. Unsuccessful. And that one I don’t like–you have to take the points.

Growing pains for redshirt-sophomore quarterback Edward Wright-Baker.

“I should have thrown the fade to Damarlo (Belcher). I threw the out. It’s over with. I can’t do anything about that now. We knew what they were going to do, I just have to make the play. I just have to throw the ball where it is supposed to go.”

Ball State now improves to 2-5 against Indiana including the last two victories. Ball State also ends IU’s seven game opening week win streak. I was very impressed with the play of quarterback Keith Wenning who connected for 23 for 29 passing, 173 yards and two touchdowns. Neither quarterback fired an interception.

Finally, both teams has strong fan representation. The official attendance was 40, 224 and I would estimate that was split fairly evenly. A sea of red at Lucas Oil. And I’m sure glad it held at The Luc today–otherwise this would have been played at noon outdoors…not fun.

Both teams will have growing pains but this was a HUGE win for first-year head coach Pete Lembo, topping the state school and earning a win in his debut.

I like a lot of what I saw out of Indiana–the energy, passion and first three series. The defense had no pass rush and could provide Wright-Baker ample time in the pocket. He was frustrated but determined to improve next week as the Hoosiers host Virginia.

Coach Wilson was honest in the simplest evaluation of the game.

“It was kind of a bland, boring game, other than the line of scrimmage play, which we lost.”

Coach Kevin Wilson post-game
Indiana center Will Matte post-game