That was ugly. There’s no easy way of saying it. It was simply not good football.
Edward Wright-Baker tries to allude pressure from the Mean Green. (David Minton/for AP)
Initially I was upset that the game could only be seen on ESPN3.com — but maybe they saved fans from watching the unbearable, and prevented IU from being a joke in other locker rooms.
The score is deceiving, but Indiana dropped to 1-3 on the season with a 24-21 loss at North Texas.
+ First, why the hell did Indiana ever schedule this game? It’s a no-win situation. If you win, and it’s nothing because it’s expected. But lose, and it’s a total embarrassment. I’m sure it was a previous contractual agreement but it should never be scheduled. The Hoosiers had nothing to gain playing a non-BCS opponnent in THEIR house.
+ What are up with the uniforms? IU wore an all-white uniform for the first time ever. They sported their new white helmets for the second time this season and have lost both games. Get the hint, they are not bringing wins and don’t look good. They look too much like Ball State and aren’t playing half as well. PLEASE, stop dressing like it.
+ The Mean Green were 0-3 on the season, losing by an average of 30 points per game. They were shutout last week at Alabama, but also had losses to FIU and Houston. This loss was not good…not to North Texas. They aren’t even in Big Ten play yet.
+ I’m not going to question the coaching staff by any means, but Dusty Kiel was the quarterback that helped bring the Hoosiers back. Kiel was 7-for-12 for 145 yards and two touchdowns. Wright-Baker’s ability to run is huge but at 1-3, it may be worth switching things up and trying someone else. Too many times Wright-Baker misses an open target down the field for a big play.
+ Mitch Ewald missed a 49-yard field goal with 2:53 to play before halftime. That could have been the jump-start the Hoosiers needed and Indiana isn’t good enough not to cash in on all the points they can, field goals or otherwise.
+ At least they didn’t quit but it was too little, too late. The Hoosiers scored 21 straight points in the fourth quarter but they ran out of time.
+ Penalties were an improvement after last week’s school-record 20 against South Carolina State. In the fourth game of the season, Indiana was whistled for seven penalties totaling 50 yards.
+ Defensive end Darius Johnson forced and recovered a fumble, but the Indiana offense didn’t score off either of them.
+ First-year Coach Wilson has stressed energy and toughness since the day he arrived. I thought the team look a bit lackluster and unfocused on the field. I sure hope four games in, this team hasn’t already checked out.
I don’t believe this team has quit and will not win again this season. They have a lot of great individual talents and it’s going to take a team effort with every player on the same page to result in a win. The season is one-third over and I can guarantee you this team is not happy with the way they started the season.
There will be growing pains with a new coach, new system and new quarterback…they have been obvious and numerous. Maybe I’m too optimistic, but like the IU basketball team, I think this team will be special in the years to come. It’s just games like these that make it awful touch for Indiana fans.
Up next: Penn State this Saturday in Bloomington, a noon kick-off.