Penalties. Turnovers. Decisions.
All three hurt Indiana in their home opener under the lights, falling to the University of Virginia 34-31.
Many would be say it was typical IU football–I liked a lot more than I didn’t. Progress nonetheless was made in Coach Kevin Wilson’s second attempt to build up Indiana’s football program.
Greg Heban, a former baseball star at IU, picked off Virginia quarterback Michael Rocco on the first play of the game. Talk about starting the game right. It was the first turnover on the season for an Indiana opponent. Heban later picked Rocco off again near the beginning of the 4th quarter on a critical drive.
The Hoosiers then proceeded to move it down the field, convert a few first downs before being halted at the 31-yard line. After nailing a career-long 49-yard field goal last week, Mitch Ewald’s try from 48 yards was blocked. Matt Dooley, the freshman long-snapper got waked out of the way and the defender got a clean hand on the ball.
Things were fairly even throughout the first half. Both teams went on long drives, were called for a few poor penalties and had to settle for field goals.
It was obvious Coach Wilson wanted to let quarterback Edward Wright-Baker use his feet more often and it paid off. Where he really struggled was in the passing game–numerous overthrows and one big shot underthrown. First drive, first play of the second half Wright-Baker badly misses an open Kofi Hughes giving UVA the ball at Indiana’s 38-yard line, which they turned into 7.
Decision making. Turnovers.
I liked IU’s rushing game throughout. They were consistent, under control and tough. Matt Perez, the strongest player on the team, was running over Virginia players with ease. And it was Perez who scored the Hoosiers first touchdown from 8 yards out 3 minutes into the second half.
The Hoosiers rushed the ball 41 times for 148 yards, and two touchdowns. (Wright-Baker and Roberts each amassed 48 yards, 47 for Perez).
Coach Wilson has sack. Maybe too much.
In his first two games, he has made two big gambles and neither has worked. Last week he went for it on 4th and goal from the three. And tonight, on a 4th and goal, Wilson opted for a fake field goal but Teddy Schell’s pass was incomplete and no points for IU. Those missed points came back to haunt.
Indiana had their chances, plenty of opportunities throughout the game. Once inside the red zone, it’s critical to convert. UVA did just that, going 6 for 6.
The attitude with the defense is there. 17 of UVA’s points were basically given to them after poor IU turnovers. Wilson talks about the new mentality, playing tough and physical–and tonight we saw that. They were sprinting after the ball on defense, throwing their hands around and tackling much better. It’s still early but tackling the ball has been one of the most notable improvements.
Indiana’s defense kept their hands active all game long, knocking the ball down at the line five times and sneaking in blitzes. IU held the Wahoos to 6 of 15 on third down.
There was a different feel with IU tonight, playing with tremendously more passion and energy. And not just the players on the field but it extended to those on the sidelines. The players clearly got the message from Coach during practice this week and took it to heart. All were jumping up and down on sidelines.
A big shift came in the fourth quarter, as Perez first punched it in, followed by a 54-yard fumble returned for a touchdown by cornerback Lawrence Barnett. Virginia’s next drive was interrupted by Greg Heban for his second pick of the night.
It was in this quarter where the Hoosiers finally settled down and looked comfortable for the first time all season. They held UVA in check, allowing just one score in the final half.
Offensively, Wright-Baker took some zip off the ball which in-turn was more accurate. D’Angelo Roberts and Perez proved they will be a mighty tandem in the back field for years to come. They run with an added toughness and both peddled their legs hard for any extra inch.
The team didn’t quit despite being down 23-3 at one point–scoring 28 straight points. Virginia scored the final 11 and it made all the difference.
UVA rallied to tie it up at 31 thanks to touchdown run and successful two-point conversion on a 77-yard drive. Wright-Baker lost the ball after a lineman missed a block. He fumbled and a 23-yard field goal sealed the deal for Virginia.
Turnovers.
Three of them. Wright-Baker was intercepted once and lost a fumble–as did Shane Wynn.
Progress was made but Indiana fans are tired of the same outcome. It was a close game that literally came down to the final seconds.
A few decisions proved costly as the cream and crimson fall in a heartbreaking fashion to 0-2 on the young season.
Next up: South Carolina State.
Other notes:
–Indiana came onto the field for warm ups and I didn’t even recognize them. They were sporting a new look, all white helmets with the crimson IU logo. The team hasn’t worn white helmets since 1965-1966. (one season before the Rose Bowl.)
–Tre Roberson took his first collegiate snap 6 minutes into the game. It was a rush for a three yard loss.
–true freshman receiver Shane Wynn made couple poor decisions on special teams, including a fumble right before halftime which led to a 6 yard touchdown. Although just a freshman, he almost ran a kick return out of the end zone when too risky. But the turnover with 22 seconds until halftime really hurt.
–Indiana falls to 0-2 in the Kevin Wilson era, and is now to 20-8 at home since 2007 in non-conference play.