Indiana Football: Hoosiers come up short in Gator Bowl
By Adam Childs
The Indiana football team used a strong second half to take the lead Thursday night, but came up just short against Tennessee.
The Hoosiers came up just short in finishing their dream season with their first bowl win since 1991. Indiana let a late lead slip away against the Volunteers and lost in heartbreaking fashion.
The first half was controlled by the Volunteers, but the Hoosiers held Tennessee to just two field goals in three red-zone trips before the break.
They came up big right before the break as they forced an interception and kicked a last-second field goal to cut the lead to 6-3 at the half. The Hoosiers offense looked like they couldn’t move the ball until that final drive and was aided by Peyton Ramsey running off of broken plays.
The Hoosiers had to feel fortunate being down just 6-3 at the break, especially because of the difficulties they had on offense.
The second half was a different story for Indiana. They took the opening kick and drove the ball 69 on 12 plays to score the first touchdown of the game and it put the Hoosiers up 10-6 five minutes into the half. The drive was capped by a quarterback sneak by Ramsey. It was a fitting end to a drive that included four rushes by the quarterback for 30 yards. Ramsey would also complete all four of his passes on the drive.
Two plays later the defense stepped up yet again as Jamar Johnson stepped in front of a pass by Jarrett Guarantano and returned it 63 yards for a touchdown. Even though the Hoosiers would miss the extra point, they led 16-6 early in the third quarter.
Tennessee would answer with another field goal to cut the lead to seven, but the Hoosiers delivered field goals of their own on their next two possessions to bump their lead up to 13 at 22-9.
The Volunteers, though, weren’t done fighting. After two straight possessions ending in a punt, Tennessee went 82 yards on 11 plays for their first touchdown of the game. Quavaris Crouch finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown run to cut the Hoosier lead to 22-16 with 4:21 left in the game
Tennessee would use a surprise onside kick to get the ball right back and had the ball with a chance to take the lead. A quick pass and face mask penalty would put the Volunteers in the driver’s seat after just one play. And two plays later Eric Gray scored from 16 yards out and a made extra point put the Volunteers up 23-22.
The Hoosiers would drive down and have a field goal attempt but Logan Justus missed the 52-yard attempt just right. It was his first field goal miss of the game, but his missed extra point would loom large in this game.
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Indiana would get another chance after the Hoosiers held the Jauan Jennings just short on a third-down run. A false start penalty benefited Indiana as it kept the clock from running down. After a decent punt, the Hoosiers took the ball over on the 19 with just 55 seconds left.
Ramsey would get them back to the 50, but four straight incompletions would be the end for the Hoosiers.
It was a disappointing way to end a great season for the Hoosiers and Tom Allen and company have to feel like they let a golden opportunity slip through their fingers.
The Hoosiers finished the season 8-5 but will be left wondering about what if after their near-miss in the Gator Bowl. Indiana fans have to be happy about the direction of their program but will have to sit another offseason waiting for a bowl win.