Coach Bill Lynch’s Hoosiers (3-1) will try to break into the Big Ten Conference win column when they face No. 9 Ohio State on Saturday, Oct. 3, in Bloomington Ind. The game will come one week after Indiana dropped its Big Ten opener 36-33 to No. 22 Michigan.
Indiana nearly broke a 15-game losing streak in its series with the Wolverines, as Michigan needed a late fourth quarter touchdown and an interception on the following play to lock down the victory.
The Hoosiers, who are 9-51 all-time against Michigan, will now try to end another lengthy series losing streak. They’ve lost 14 in a row to Ohio State and trail 65-12-5 in the series. The Buckeyes have won every game between teams since a 27-27 tie at Bloomington in 1990, and haven't lost to Indiana since a 41-7 setback at home in 1988.
Plus, coach Jim Tressel’s Buckeyes (3-1) haven't allowed a point in two games. They shut out Illinois 30-0 in their Big Ten opener Saturday after stopping Toledo 38-0 the prevoius weekend.
Still, Indiana could have, and some would say should have won against Michigan. Will the Hoosiers be able to perform as effectively against Ohio State?
The answer will come Saturday. The game is scheduled for 4 p.m. EST and will be telecast by the Big Ten Network.
OhioState Surging After Shaky Start
The Buckeyes opened the season with a narrow 31-27 victory over Navy, then fell to No. 7 Southern Cal 18-15 in their second game. But Ohio State has bounced back in solid fashion. Its offense has picked up the pace after being turned back vs. USC, and averages 367 yards per game.
Leading the way is quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who paces his team in rushing as well as passing. The 6-foot-6, 235-pound sophomore has completed 50 of 87 passes for 695 yards and five touchdowns, with four interceptions. He’s also rushed 39 times for 268 yards and two TDs.
The running game also features sophomore Dan Herron, who’s run 64 times for 238 yards and five TDs. Brandon Saine is a threat as well, rushing 32 times for 181 yards and catching seven passes for 84 yards.
Receiver Dane Sanzebacher has been lethal, netting 277 yards and four touchdowns on 12 receptions. Sophomore DeVier Posey leads the team in receptions with 15, good for 163 yards and a TD.
The Buckeyes also have a solid kicking game. Aaron Pettrey is 9-for-10 on field goal attempts, with two kicks of over 50 yards. He has, however, missed one of his 12 extra-point attempts.
Buckeyes Defense Rising to Occasion
Despite having to replace All-Americans in linebacker James Laurinaitis and cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, the Buckeyes defense has performed soundly since the Navy game. Ohio State’s allowing just 258.8 yards per game, with only 99.9 coming via the rush.
The Buckeyes have come up with 11 sacks, including two apiece by defensive linemen Cameron Howard and Todd Denlinger. Linebacker Brian Rolle is the team’s No. 1 tackler with 33. Star safety Kurt Coleman has registered 29 tackles and forced three fumbles.
Linebacker Ross Holman has added 21 tackles, and Heyward has 16 tackles, including three for losses. Another linebacker, Thaddeus Gibson has four tackles four losses, and has forced two fumbles. Denlinger’s also made four tackles for losses, and the team has 20 overall.
Ohio State has forced nine turnovers, including six interceptions.
Indiana Offense Sharp vs. Michigan
Indiana committed just one turnover vs. Michigan – a disputed interception that ended up killing the Hoosiers’ hopes for an upset.
Wolverines cornerback Donovan Warren and Indiana receiver Demarlo Belcher both had their hands on the ball, and Warren was awarded the pick after wrestling the ball away from Belcher when both were on the ground.
Yet on the most part, the Hoosiers were superb on offense, gaining more yards against a ranked team than they did in wins over Eastern Kentucky, Western Michigan and Akron.
Indiana picked up 467 yards, almost 100 more than Michigan. Ben Chappell passed for 270 and Darius Willis ran for 152 and two touchdowns – including an 85-yarder.
The Hoosiers, who feature a new pistol offense, are averaging 367 yards per game on the season. They’ve been almost perfectly balanced, rushing for 181 and passing for 186.
Willis Helps Ignite Hoosiers
Willis enjoyed a breakout game vs. Michigan after being hindered by ankle problems early in the season. The redshirt freshman has 34 carries for 221 yards and three TDs in 2009
Demetrius McCray had carried most of the rushing lead before last weekend, and the senior has a team-high 229 yards and one TD on 43 carries. And the Hoosiers also have a short-yardage specialist in 6-3, 235-pound Trea Burgess (31 carries, 91 yards, 2 TDs).
Chappell is 84-for-130 passing for 944 yards, with three touchdowns and four interceptions. He’s been sacked only three times. The junior has a tall cast of wide receivers, including 6-3 Tanner Doss, the 6-5 Belcher and 6-3 Mitchell Evans.
Doss is enjoying a strong season, with 26 catches for 374 yards. Belcher has 19 catches for 222 yards and a TD, and Terrance Turner’s made 14 receptions for 135 yards. Evans has 10 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown.
Indiana Linemen Getting into Opposing Backfields
The Hoosiers are applying heavy defensive pressure, managing 31 tackles for losses. Defensive end Jammie Kirlew has eight of them, including 2.5 sacks. Kirlew, who has 18 overall tackles, has forced two fumbles and recovered two.
End Greg Middleton has 5.5 tackles for losses and three sacks among his 15 tackles, and tackle Larry Black’s made five stops behind the line of scrimmage. The Hoosiers have made 11 sacks.
Indiana’s leading tackler is linebacker is Matt Mayberry with 26. Linebacker Will Patterson has 22 and safety Nick Polk’s registered 19. Safety Austin Thomas has two interceptions.
The Hoosiers are allowing 327.2 yards per game, with only 94.2 of them coming on the ground.
