Indiana football: Reaction to frustrating loss vs. Nebraska in Week 5

This time around, it wasn’t Indiana football making a comeback attempt in the second half to keep the game close to Nebraska in Week 5. The story of this game was the 23 total penalty flags thrown and the 203 combined penalty yards between the two programs.

This week, the Hoosiers got off to a slow start in the first quarter, then turned things on in the second quarter offensively and defensively, with a fumble recovery in the end zone and two impressive touchdown drives led by Connor Bazelak.

After halftime, it was all downhill from there for the Hoosiers. Indiana football recorded 61 total yards of offense in the entire second half and punted the ball on five of their seven possessions. The defense allowed just 12 total yards of offense to the Cornhuskers on their first four drives of the second half, but then allowed two drives that totaled 141 yards that give Nebraska a two-touchdown lead.

Although the defense gave up four touchdowns to Nebraska in this game, only allowing 270 passing yards to Casey Thompson was not bad. It was the 34-yard touchdown throw on the first possession of the game for the Huskers, then the 71-yard dime to Trey Palmer in the fourth quarter, which gave Nebraska a 28-21 lead, that really ruined the Hoosiers’ defense.

The only positives that I took away from this game for Indiana football was the decent protection provided by the offensive line and the impressive running of recently turned 18-year-old freshman, Jaylin Lucas. Two offensive lineman from the Hoosiers came out of the Nebraska game with top five PFF grades on the IU offense (Luke Haggard – 72.5; Mike Katic – 62.8).

Now for the freshman Lucas. He only rushed three times, but totaled 39 yards on the three carries, including a 34-yard scamper (below) where he made two Husker defenders miss, and also set up the last touchdown for the Hoosiers. If this kid doesn’t see more touches or snaps, Hoosier Nation has a right to be mad, especially when Shaun Shivers and Josh Henderson only managed 47 yards on 14 carries against one of the worst run defenses in the country.

Now standing at 3-2, Indiana football returns to Bloomington for its homecoming matchup against the #4 ranked, Michigan Wolverines. Running into the giant that is Michigan football and Blake Corum will be a tough rebound matchup, especially after losing two consecutive road games that could have been winnable games.