IU Improves to 3-0 Against WKU, 38-35

Saturday, September 19

Bloomington, Ind.

4:00 p.m.

Indiana University

3-0

Western Kentucky

2-1 , 1-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

WKU

Indiana

9/19/2015 7:48:00 PM | Football

Box Score

By: Sam Beishuizen, IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Credit halftime adjustments. Credit a higher intensity or focus. Maybe it's the Swedish Fish head coach Kevin Wilson and his players like to eat at halftime.

Neither Wilson nor his players can explain why, but Indiana has proven to be a stronger second-half team this season.

The latest example came as IU rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit to defeat Western Kentucky 38-35 Saturday. The Hoosiers outscored the Hilltoppers 21-0 in the third quarter and iced their victory with a 5:56 drive to end the game after WKU pulled within three points.

"I'd like to tell you it's something magical," Wilson said. "I'd like to say we're doing something fancy in practice—we're not…I do think we have a strong team, physically strong. I think we're mentally getting stronger. I think as the game goes on, we gain a little momentum as we play."

Beishuizen: Crawford's Two Interceptions Lead Indiana

Indiana's second-half prowess has become a trend. Though, it's not easy to pinpoint why.

The Hoosiers have now overcome a pair of 11-point halftime deficits, the other coming against Southern Illinois, and a one-point deficit against Florida International.

Part of it's a result of an unblemished third-quarter defense, redshirt junior receiver Mitchell Paige said. Indiana has yet to allow a point in the third quarter this season, instead turning two interceptions by true freshman safety Jonathan Crawford into 14 points in Saturday's win.

The Hoosier defense also accounted for a goal-line stand late in the second quarter and a blocked field goal in the fourth quarter. Indiana has allowed just 15 points in its last two second halves combined.

"The defense gave us a big spark in the fourth quarter," Paige said. "They've just played really well. The defense is sparking us big time."

Senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld—who completed 20-of-27 passes for 355 yards and three touchdowns—agreed with Paige.

Indiana (3-0) outgained Western Kentucky (2-1) 326-173 in the second half.

"We just feel like we're in shape," Sudfeld said. "Our offensive line just wears on defenses, and (so do) our running backs. Guys get tired and then we're able to pick them apart a little bit."

Indiana received the ball to start the third quarter and scored in just 2:31 on a 36-yard touchdown reception by Paige.

Then came the first of Crawford's two interceptions of WKU quarterback Brandon Doughty, who threw for 485 yards on 35-of-46 passing. The Hoosiers drove 97 yards after the interception with sophomore receiver Simmie Cobbs, Jr., capping the scoring drive with a 23-yard touchdown reception down the sideline.

Crawford picked off Doughty's next pass to give Indiana a short field. The offense wasted no time, going 22 yards in 57 seconds with sophomore running back Devine Redding picking up the game-winning touchdown on a 2-yard rush.

Redding finished with 79 yards on 23 carries. His running mate, junior Jordan Howard, had 203 yards on 31 carries.

Their effort helped Indiana control the time of possession and keep Western Kentucky's offense off the field. Though it was uncharacteristic of a Wilson offense, Redding credited the change in pace for helping Indiana clinch the win.

"We just wanted to run the game clock down so we could win," he said. "Play them out and get the win."

Indiana has won four games in a row for the first time since 1993, dating back to IU's season-ending victory against Purdue last year. A win next weekend against Wake Forest would improve the Hoosiers to 4-0 to begin a season for the first time since 1990.

Although Wilson wants his players to appreciate their accomplishments, he's quick to remind them that nothing is certain. He tells them anything can happen on any given week, and they need to stay focused if they want to keep the momentum going the rest of the year.

"What excites me is they're buying in and they're getting better, and there is so much we can keep working on," Wilson said. "It's good to have a nice victory and we'll keep moving forward."