Hoosier State of Mind
Fansided

Indiana football: Reaction to dramatic Hoosiers win over Hilltoppers

ByConnor O’Keefe|
Indiana celebrates Charles Campbell (93) making the game-winning kick during the Indiana versus Western Kentucky football game at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 17, 2022.Iu Wk Fb 2h Celebration
Indiana celebrates Charles Campbell (93) making the game-winning kick during the Indiana versus Western Kentucky football game at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 17, 2022.Iu Wk Fb 2h Celebration

Indiana football pulled out a dramatic victory over the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Saturday afternoon, winning in overtime, 33-30, thanks to a 51-yard field goal by IU kicker, Charles Campbell.

The Hoosiers entered the fourth quarter in Bloomington trailing Western Kentucky, 24-13, and little-to-nothing coming offensively and struggling to stop the offensive juggernaut that is the Hilltoppers’ offense. The last time Indiana football came back from trailing 10 or more points going into the fourth quarter dates back to October 20th, 2002, where the Hoosiers were trailing Wisconsin, 29-17, going into the fourth quarter and came back and won 32-29, scoring 15 unanswered points in the final frame.

Though it was not a pretty win any way you look at it, the Hoosiers continue to find ways to win and battle back for three straight weeks. While this roster seems resilient, the play from Connor Bazelak, Cam Camper, Cam Jones, and Aaron Casey carried this Indiana football program to this win, while Charles Campbell sealed it with a game-winning field goal in overtime (below). Bazelak silenced his doubters with 364 passing yards and two touchdowns; Camper pulled in eight receptions for 93 receiving yards; Jones had a game-high 13 total tackles and was leading the Hoosiers’ defense; and Casey recorded a game-high three tackles for loss.

Although individual players stepped up on defense, Tom Allen’s defensive unit did not look sharp most of the game against Austin Reed and the Hilltoppers offense, giving up a lot of chunk plays and letting Daewood Davis get anywhere he wanted on the outside. Things will need to improve for the Hoosiers to have any chance to keep the undefeated train going into Week 4.

As Tom Allen says in the video below, Indiana football has now trailed in three games and comeback to win in each of those games. Undefeated at 3-0. Now onto Week 4, traveling to take on last season’s College Football Playoff participant, Cincinnati Bearcats.

Home/Indiana Football