No. 12 Indiana Stifles No. 16 Wisconsin, 14-6

Saturday, December 5

Madison, Wis.

3:30 P.M.

Indiana University

6-1 , 5-1

Wisconsin

2-2 , 1-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Indiana

Wisconsin

12/5/2020 6:50:00 PM | Football

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Postgame Notes Postgame Quotes Watch | Tom Allen Watch | QB Jack Tuttle Watch | Tiawan Mullen Watch | Micah McFadden

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

MADISON, Wisc. -- Quarterback Jack Tuttle took the shots in his first-ever college start and came back for more.

"There's nothing like having a tough guy lead your team," Indiana head coach Tom Allen said.

The IU defense faced Wisconsin's best, and broke the Badgers.

"We have a great defense," cornerback Tiawan Mullen said. "We show it every week. It's on for anybody, everybody."

As for the No. 12 Hoosiers (6-1)? Well, they blasted away Wisconsin misery that had lasted most of the 21st Century.

Their 14-6 tough-minded victory Saturday night -- their first win at Camp Randall Stadium since 2001 -- wrapped up a historic run again traditional powers that once dominated them.

"This is what a team win looks like," Allen says

The Top-20 Badgers (2-2) joined Penn State, Michigan and Michigan State as victims of IU's turn-the-tables season that, based on the "Best-Coach-in-America" shouts from jubilant players in the post-game aftermath, suggests this is just the beginning.

"Indiana is tough," Tuttle said. "Every guy fights. Everyone will never stop fighting. That's the message we sent today."

Wisconsin received it the loudest. It had just three red zone trips and came away with just six points as IU continued its fastest start since 1987, when it also opened 6-1.

"Coach says it all the time, we play for each other, we play for Indiana," Tuttle says. "That's the core of why we're making big moves this year."

The Badgers had averaged 51 points in their 10-game winning streak against Indiana, with an average victory margin of 36 points.

That's now as relevant as helmets without facemasks.

"We have the mindset that we're an elite program and can compete to win Big Ten," Allen said. "I said that from the beginning. I believed we could. It's how you build a program to do that.

"It's having an edge as a program. Edge-Hungry-Focus – that's the mindset of our program."

The emotional Allen is the catalyst. He has turned a perennially losing program into a winner in a follow up to last season's 8-5 record. His radio interview with Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski earlier in the week had Krzyzewski ready to suit up for the Hoosiers. The video of his post-game locker room dancing was a social media hit.

"You see how he leads," Mullen says. "He's an exciting guy. He doesn't get the credit he deserves. We see what goes on in the building. As we continue to win these games, everybody will see it."

For linebacker Micah McFadden, who had a team-leading nine tackles, Allen should be the national coach of the year.

"Yes, 100 percent. He comes in ready to work. He gets guys fired up. He brings the energy for this team. That's where you see the love coming from."

Tuttle showcased what love can do. With starter Michael Penix Jr. out for the season with a torn ACL, the former California 4-star prospect delivered first college start numbers of 13-for-22 passing for 130 yards and two touchdowns.

"Jack is a tremendous person and player," Allen said. "I believe in Jack. He's a special player. He has a lot of talent. He just hasn't played a lot."

But it was Tuttle's ability to come back from a fourth-quarter shot to the head that generated the most buzz.

The hit was first ruled targeting, then overturned. Either way, Tuttle got sideline attention from IU's medical staff and went to the locker room. That prompted Allen to tell true freshman backup Dexter Williams II, who hadn't played all season, to get ready.

Then Tuttle ran out of the locker room and into the huddle.

"I love my team," he said. "I wanted to get back on the field."

Allen had a deeper take.

"I am thinking, 'OK Dex, this is why you came here. This is your time.' Then Jack comes back, and I'm like, 'Yes, he's back.'

"He's tough. He had a chance to prove it. He took some hits and came back.

"When you have a quarterback that has that kind of toughness, like Mike did the first six games, that gives you such confidence. It doesn't matter what you throw at him, he won't blink. He's good and will keep getting better.

"Dex will be a great player, but he's not quite ready."

As for the attacking defense that continues to make game-changing plays, the message to opposing offenses is simple:

Reach the red zone at your own risk.

"Our defense has a mindset that you will not cross this line," McFadden said. "It stops right here. We want to hold them to a field goal or no points. Everybody guys into that mindset."

Indiana had an interception and a fumble recovery to boost its season takeaway total to 20.

"You have to play great defense if you want to win in this league," Allen said. "I felt we could be a top-10 defense.".

IU won despite losing in total yards (342-217) and time of possession (35 minutes to 25 minutes).

"I'm proud of the growth, but we have to keep working hard and getting better," Allen said. "There's a lot left to the season."

Indiana's offense got a boost with the return of massive offensive tackle Caleb Jones (6-8 and 362 pounds), but the defensive line had to deal without tackle Demarcus Elliott.

Meanwhile, Wisconsin lost its starting center Kayden Lyles to injury four minutes into the game. With its backup also out with an injury, the Badgers had to go with freshman Tanor Bortolini.

The first quarter produced dominant defense of four punts (2 by each team) before Mullen got the Hoosiers going.

His crunching sack of Wisconsin freshman quarterback Graham Mertz forced a fumble that linebacker James Miller recovered.

"That sounded like a gun shot on the field," McFadden said. "It was loud. It was a huge momentum swing for our team."

Added Mullen: "I knew he didn't see me. I wanted to get the ball out."

The Hoosiers capitalized with a touchdown, with Tuttle connecting with tight end Peyton Hendershot on a 1-yard pass. That gave IU a 7-0 lead four minutes into the second quarter.

Wisconsin came back with a 29-yard field goal for a 7-3 halftime score.

Tuttle came out firing in the third quarter, hitting receiver Ty Fryfogle on a 35-yard reception before ending it with a 7-yard scoring toss to Whop Philyor and a 14-3 lead.

Safety Jamar Johnson's interception put the Hoosiers in position for another score, but Tuttle fumbled on a third-down quarterback sneak. Wisconsin recovered and drove for a field goal to make it 14-6 as the quarter ended.

"I have to have better ball security," Tuttle said. "I was trying to reach for the first down. I need to tighten it up."

IU had a chance to break the game open, when receiver Miles Marshall was wide open and positioned for a sure touchdown catch. He dropped it. A few plays later, Tuttle took that big shot to the head, and the Badgers seemed ready to capitalize.

The IU defense wouldn't allow it.

Wisconsin reached the red zone on its last possession with a chance to force overtime. But its fourth-down pass was incomplete against tight coverage from cornerback Reese Taylor in the closing seconds, sending the Hoosiers into celebration mode.

"Reese is a great cornerback," Mullen said. "We push each other every day.

"(Cornerbacks coach Brandon Shelby) puts us in great positions. He's another coach who doesn't get the credit he deserves."

IU will now face rival Purdue (2-4) next Saturday before playing a to-be-determined Big Ten West Division opponent.

"It hasn't been easy," Allen said, "but this team keeps fighting and believing. It keeps checking off the historic wins."