So Close - Time to Smash Down the Football Door

By: Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - How many times can it happen?

How long and hard do the Indiana Hoosiers have to smash on a college football door that seemingly is forever closed before it caves?

In the aftermath of Saturday's 17-9 heartbreaker at No. 18 Michigan State, which followed last week's overtime loss to No. 17 Michigan, the answer remains unknown.

This much is certain -- fighting the good fight isn't good enough, but it gives IU a chance.

The door doesn't have to be smash proof.

Still …

"I thought our kids played their heart out, so proud of their effort, their toughness, their grit," coach Tom Allen said.

"We've got to finish. We've got to finish these games out. But, to go on the road against this opponent in this venue, a tough place to play and a top-20 team -- (we) had our chance, and let them off the hook. So, that's on us, that's on me, as the head coach. I take responsibility for that."

For the record, the Hoosiers (3-4) intentionally gave up an 18-yard touchdown to LJ Scott in the final two minutes to give themselves a chance to force overtime with a touchdown and two-point conversion.

Against a rugged Spartan defense, it was too much to ask.

"It was the only chance we had," Allen said. "That allows us to be down by eight, so you get a chance to score, because if you don't (let him score) then they're just going to eat the clock.

"I've never done that in a game, but that was exactly what you should do, to give yourself a chance."

Adding to the challenge, Indiana had 10 penalties for 115 yards. Michigan State (6-1) had three for 35 yards.

IU's beyond-brutal opening schedule -- four top-20 teams in its first seven games -- leaves more resilience-on-demand urgency for the season's final five games.

The good news -- the schedule's degree of difficulty lightens dramatically. Fifth-ranked and unbeaten Wisconsin (7-0) is the only powerhouse team left. The other teams – Maryland (3-4), Illinois (2-5), Rutgers (3-4) and Purdue (3-4) – are a combined 11-17. None of them have faced the competition the Hoosiers have.

In fact, no team in America has.

"It is just making big plays in big-time situations," quarterback Peyton Ramsey said. "There were plays that presented themselves, and we just have to execute. We have to make those plays."

Ramsey was solid in his first Big Ten road start. He was 22-for-34 for 158 yards. He didn't throw a touchdown pass, or an interception. He also rushed for 34 yards.

That's 192 total yards, 12 more than Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke had.

That didn't matter, of course.

Winning did.

The Spartans won back the Old Brass Spittoon, which symbolizes this long-time rivalry. Linebacker Tegray Scales had entered Spartan Stadium carrying the trophy, the reward for last year's victory over the Spartans.

A new reward was within reach.

And then it wasn't.

The good news -- Hoosier resolve remains.

"We can play anybody in this conference," kicker Griffin Oakes said. "It's been obvious for years. There are just little things that we have to figure out. There's a couple things that we just have to fix. I am excited about the last couple games in the season."

And if excitement delivers much-needed victory, all the better.

Indiana University Athletics

So Close - Time to Smash Down the Football Door

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