Indiana quarterback Jack Tuttle looks downfield during Saturday's game against Michigan State.
(Indiana University Athletics)
One year ago, Indiana was the surprise football team in the Big Ten, cracking the top 10 in the national rankings and setting expectations high for this season.
But halfway through this season, it’s looking more like 2010 than 2020.
The Hoosiers are coming off a 20-15 loss to Michigan State Saturday that left them 2-4 overall and 0-3 in the conference.
“Not what any of us expected – or wanted,” Indiana coach Tom Allen said Monday. “You find yourself in it, what are you going to do?”
For Allen, it’s keep fighting.
“I think that’s key,” Allen said. “We’re swinging hard. This team believes in what we’re doing. There’s a lot of toughness and character in that locker room.”
The Hoosiers will need it.
After facing four ranked teams in their first six games, No. 5 Ohio State will visit Memorial Stadium Saturday night for a nationally televised game.
The Buckeyes (5-1) have the best offense in the Big Ten, averaging 562.7 yards and 48.5 points per game.
“They’re just so explosive,” Allen said. “They’ve got three receivers that are as good as anybody you’re going to face in the country. So that puts a lot of stress on you. Talented quarterback, talented running back as well.”
Offense has been the Hoosiers’ big issue this season, especially against Big Ten opponents. Indiana has scored just one touchdown in three conference games and was shut out for the first time in more than two decades two weeks ago at Penn State.
Some of the problem can be chalked up to the shoulder injury to starting quarterback Michael Penix at Penn State. But even before that, the offense was struggling. Penix had thrown seven interceptions through the first five games, three more than he threw all last season.
His replacement, Jack Tuttle, hasn’t fared much better. In four appearances, he’s completing just over half his passes and has thrown three interceptions to just one touchdown. One of the interceptions was returned for a touchdown in Saturday’s loss to the Spartans.
“At times, he looked like a guy that hasn’t played a lot of football collectively, which he has not,” Allen said. “But still expect him to play a little better than he did. He’s got to rise up.”
Penix’s playing status remains a week-to-week decision. The Hoosiers are thin behind Tuttle. True freshman Donaven McCulley is No. 2 on the depth chart in what Allen had hoped would be a redshirt season. He ran twice Saturday for eight yards, and Allen expects him to see the field more as the year goes on.
No matter who’s behind center, putting points on the board remains the main objective.
Take out the interception returned for a touchdown Saturday, and the defense limited Michigan State to just 13 points. That after the Spartans came in averaging 37 points a game.
“Defense is playing at a high level,” Allen said. “Just protect the football; that’s the biggest takeaway.”
To get back to a bowl game, the Hoosiers will have to win four of their final six games. That starts Saturday with Ohio State.
And while a bowl remains a goal, Allen said the team is only thinking about the next game.
“Even when you fall short, you’ve got to keep persevering, fighting, working together, staying together, keep believing, just stay the course,” Allen said. “That’s what we’re going to do.
“To me, you just don’t blink. We talk about it all the time – earmuffs and blinders. Have to have them on heavily at this time and do not blink.”
Saturday’s game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on ABC.
