Football Falls Late to Maryland

Saturday, October 15

Bloomington, Ind.

3:30 P.M.

Indiana University

3-4 , 1-3

Maryland

5-2 , 2-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Maryland

Indiana

10/15/2022 7:00:00 PM | Football

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By: Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Cam Jones stared at a scoreboard truth that wouldn't change.

Injury left the standout Indiana senior linebacker on the sidelines instead of the Memorial Stadium field, eyes wide and unblinking, frustration palpable, right fist tapping an equipment box as if it was a magic lamp with a genie that could grant a game-altering wish.

Maryland had just scored the scored the clinching touchdown. With just over two minutes left and an 11-point deficit, Indiana lacked comeback time.

The final 38-33 score proved that.

"It's just about having a finishing mentality," head coach Tom Allen said. "We were in position to do that. That's what makes this really disappointing."

IU (3-4) fought. Of course, it did. It battled back from deficits and turnovers and mistakes. With a three-point lead and all the momentum, it was six minutes from victory.

It wasn't enough.

"Man, it was another one that came down to the fourth quarter that we let slip away," linebacker Aaron Casey said. "We need to change the way we play and finish the game strong. Be more focused at the end."

Even without elite quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, knocked out of the game with an injury, Maryland (5-2) scored 14 points in those final minutes, forced a costly Hoosier fumble and found a way.

The Hoosiers were left to wonder what might have been.

"It was in our control," receiver Cam Camper said. "It hits a little harder. We practice so hard. We had a good week."

A pause.

"It's football. It happens. We'll shake back."

IU found offense it had lacked in recent weeks. It scored more points against Maryland than it had scored in its previous two games combined (31).

It had 351 total yards, generated 23 first downs, went 3-for-3 on fourth downs and nailed a trick play with quarterback-turned receiver Donaven McCulley hitting quarterback Connor Bazelak with a 23-yard completion.

"After we get the first two first downs, I feel like we're rolling," Camper said. "That's all it takes. We're fine after that. We know nobody can run with us when we get moving."

As for that trick play, which Bazelak said was his first college reception, he went out of bounds at the Maryland 3-yard line rather than try to power his way into the end zone.

"I wanted to get in until I saw two guys at the pylon," Bazelak said. "I thought it best I not hurt my shoulder."

Bazelak added that while practicing the play during the week, "I dropped the ball. This time I made sure I secured the catch."

IU led 17-14 at halftime.

More progress came in the third quarter. A Campbell field goal represented the Hoosiers' first second-half points in three games. They added a Josh Henderson touchdown run seconds into the fourth quarter.

But interceptions to start the first and third quarters, and a fourth-quarter fumble, led to 21 Maryland points.

"The thing that sticks out to me is the minus-three in the turnover margin," Allen said. "Don't turn the ball over. Get takeaways. That was the difference in the game.

"We played well enough to win, but not in those areas. That's what it comes down to."

One big pre-game question -- could Rod Carey taking over as offensive line coach fix blocking problems that flared so glaringly in the past couple of games?

Yes, with room to grow.

"I'm proud of those guys," said Bazelak, who was sacked twice, five fewer than the previous week against Michigan. "They kept working. It was tough. I can't imagine dealing with a switch of a position coach in mid-week.

"They played well. They protected well. We put in some stuff schematically to help."

Added Allen: "I thought they played well. I saw some improvement. They held up better in pass protection. Definitely a positive step in the right direction."

IU's defense adjusted to a diverse, potent Maryland offense that thrived on getting fast, elusive guys in space. It allowed 141 total yards on three first-quarter possessions, just 60 on three second-quarter possessions.

It had dominating second-half moments, but not enough, especially in the fourth quarter.

"We didn't get enough takeaways, and we didn't tackle well enough," Allen said. "That's the disappointing part for our defense."

Bazelak was 29-for-42 for 292 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Emery Simmons caught six passes for 99 yards.

Tagovailoa threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns before getting hurt. Backup Billy Edwards Jr. was 0-for-3 in passing, but ran five times for 53 yards and a touchdown.

IU opened the game with a Bazelak interception. Maryland capitalized with a Tagovailoa 1-yard TD run and a 7-0 lead two minutes into the first quarter.

A 40-yard Bazelak completion to Simmons and a fourth-down conversion run by Shivers set up Campbell's 38-yard field goal and a 7-3 score.

An 18-yard touchdown pass on the second quarter's first play pushed the Maryland lead to 14-3.

Bazelak connected with a wide-open Josh Henderson for a 44-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-10 with 10 minutes left in the first half.

IU's defense responded by forcing a punt. The Hoosiers were also set to punt when a series of Maryland penalties gave them a scoring chance. Then a 23-yard reverse pass from McCulley to Bazelak set up a three-yard TD pass to Camper for a 17-14 Indiana lead with 1:47 left in the half.

In the first six minutes of the third quarter, Maryland got a touchdown and a field goal (set up by a Bazelak interception) for a 24-17 lead.

The Hoosiers came back with a Campbell field goal after keeping the drive alive with a fourth-down Shaun Shivers run.

The defense forced a punt. IU drove for a touchdown, the final two yards on a Henderson run. It led 27-24.

Tagavailoa's injury sent Edwards Jr. into the game. He directed run-only drives of 61 and 62 yards.

After the first drive, IU had a chance when Jaylin Lucas returned the kickoff 43 yards to midfield. But an Andison Coby fumble gave Maryland the ball back. That led to another touchdown and a 38-27 advantage.

In the final minute, Bazelak hit tight end Aaron Steinfeldt with a 3-yard TD pass, but the Hoosiers didn't convert the 2-point conversion attempt or the on-side kick.

IU plays at Rutgers (3-3) next week.

"We have to capitalize on opportunities," Casey said. "Play four full quarters."