Indiana University
3-7 , 1-6
Ohio State
10-0 , 7-0
Hoosiers Fall at No. 2/2 Ohio State
11/12/2022 4:00:00 PM | Football
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Dexter Williams II provided a spark against perhaps the best team in college football, and if it came with mistakes, nobody said learning curves were easy.
They certainly weren't Saturday afternoon at No. 2 Ohio State. Still, Williams made a big impression during Indiana's 56-14 defeat. He made plays by running and passing after taking over for starter Connor Bazelak in the first quarter.
Williams, a redshirt sophomore, was 6-for-19 for 107 yards and two touchdowns. He didn't throw an interception. He didn't fumble.
His first career touchdown pass was for seven yards to tight end AJ Barner in the first quarter. His second was a 19-yarder to Donaven McCulley in the fourth quarter. He also rushed for a team-leading 46 yards on 16 carries.
"I felt great," he told Voice of the Hoosiers Don Fischer during the post-game radio show. "I came in and gave a little spark. I'd like to be way more consistent moving on. Be more consistent and give us a better chance to win."
Williams' first college action came the previous week against Penn State with limited practice reps. The result -- he threw two interceptions, although he did provide an offensive spark. This time he worked extensively with the No. 2 offensive unit during practice.
The result -- no turnovers.
"I was way more prepared this week," he told Fischer, "but wish I had played better. We'll get back to work."
Adding to Williams' challenge was playing in front of 103,888 Buckeye fans against one of the nation's best defenses.
"They're a really good team and do some really good things," he told Fischer. "I had to use my legs a couple times."
Head coach Tom Allen told Fischer he saw a lot of positives from Williams.
"I'm so proud of Dex. I put him in there in the first half and he took us down the field and scored. I kept going with him. Give him a chance to grow.
"He made some good throws, and made some good runs, extended plays with his legs. He made some bad decisions and bad throws as well, but that's part of the growth process. He was one of the bright spots."
The Hoosiers (3-7) used multiple freshmen on offense and defense. That included freshman offensive lineman Carter Smith.
"He got a lot of reps in the heat of it at offensive tackle," Allen told Fischer. "That's hard to do as a true freshman. He got beat on some things, but that's a tough situation to be put in. He did some good things."
Freshman linebacker Kaiden Turner and freshman safety Phillip Dunham also saw significant action.
"We got some young bucks in there with a chance to get some good experience," Allen told Fischer.
Ohio State (10-0) came in leading the nation in scoring (45.8) and in explosive plays, and finished with for 662 total yards, 340 by run, 322 by pass. They had plays of 71, 58, 48, 34, 32, 32, 24, and 20 yards.
The Buckeyes had two 100-yard rushers, while quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for 297 yards and five touchdowns.
"That's unacceptable," Allen told Fischer. "They are really good. They have some of the best players in the country at the skill positions. They have a very talented quarterback. But we were not able to finish off things. We had a chance to get a guy on the ground and didn't do it. We missed some gap fits.
"A team like that exposes you. We gave up too many explosive plays. You can't do it."
IU has two remaining games to fix it -- a trip to Michigan State next Saturday and then hosting Purdue.
"When you lose this many games in a row," Allen told Fischer, "it's tough. You've got to lean on your guys to who they are as men and who they are in their effort, toughness, and fight. It's tough mentally and physically. We got some guys dinged up. We have to continue to keep fighting."
Ohio State quickly opened a 21-0 first-quarter lead. After three-straight three-and-outs with Bazelak at quarterback, Allen switched to the more mobile Williams. His first play was a 16-yard run. Then he hit Andison Coby with a 48-yard pass to set up his TD throw to Barner.
The Buckeyes continued to rock the Hoosier defense with plays. They led 28-7 at halftime and 42-7 after three quarters in rolling to the victory.
Now the focus, Williams told Fischer, is to finish the season strong.
"We can't let the previous week affect us. Attack the next week, try to beat the next opponent. Go at it hard and try to get these next two."
Team Stats
IND 0, OSU 7
OSU - Egbuka,Emeka 6 yd pass from Stroud,C.J. (Ruggles,Noah kick) 6 plays, 65 yards, TOP 02:19
IND 0, OSU 14
OSU - Hayden,Dallan 14 yd run (Ruggles,Noah kick), 8 plays, 78 yards, TOP 03:37
IND 0, OSU 21
OSU - Harrison Jr.,Marvin 58 yd pass from Stroud,C.J. (Ruggles,Noah kick) 1 plays, 58 yards, TOP 00:09
IND 7, OSU 21
IND - Barner,AJ 7 yd pass from Williams II,Dexter (Campbell,Charles kick) 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:33
IND 7, OSU 28
OSU - Williams,Miyan 48 yd run (Ruggles,Noah kick), 3 plays, 57 yards, TOP 00:27
IND 7, OSU 35
OSU - Stover,Cade 1 yd pass from Stroud,C.J. (Ruggles,Noah kick) 2 plays, 2 yards, TOP 00:15
IND 7, OSU 42
OSU - Stover,Cade 12 yd pass from Stroud,C.J. (Ruggles,Noah kick) 3 plays, 52 yards, TOP 01:15
IND 7, OSU 49
OSU - Johnson,Xavier 71 yd run (Ruggles,Noah kick), 1 plays, 71 yards, TOP 00:16
IND 14, OSU 49
IND - McCulley,Donaven 19 yd pass from Williams II,Dexter (Campbell,Charles kick) 2 plays, 18 yards, TOP 00:29
IND 14, OSU 56
OSU - Babb,Kamryn 8 yd pass from Stroud,C.J. (Ruggles,Noah kick) 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:14
