Indiana Football: Hoosiers lose on a late touchdown against Michigan State

Indiana football falls short in the final home game of the season against Michigan State. 

Saturday marked Indiana’s fourth loss by less than ten points as Maliq Carr scored on a 36-yard touchdown reception with under two minutes in the fourth quarter to give the Michigan State Spartans a 24-21 victory at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana, Saturday afternoon.

Last week, the Hoosier lost a heartbreaker against the Illinois Fighting Illini 48-45 in overtime on a walk-off touchdown pass from John Paddock to Isaiah Williams. Another tough loss has the coaching staff scratching their heads, searching for answers.

“I know what I can’t say at this moment,” Tom Allen said on his postgame radio show. “But the kids in the locker room deserve better.”

Quarterback Brendan Sorsby continues to perform well since stepping in for injured starter Tayven Jackson. Sorsby threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns, chipping in 59 yards rushing. Indiana’s running game was solid, with 210 yards on the ground, led by Trent Howling’s 77 yards.

The Hoosiers could not score enough points despite the solid offensive performance. The lack of offensive output seems to be a recurring theme for the Hoosiers this season. Indiana had two three-and-outs before scoring to tie the game 7-7.

Michigan State took a 14-7 lead into the locker room. The Hoosiers scored on its first draft of the second half to tie the game. The Spartans kicked a field goal to take a slim 17-14 lead when Trey Walker scored a touchdown to give the Hoosiers a 21-17 lead.

That’s when Carr scored on a late touchdown pass from quarterback Katin Houser, who had 245 yards and three touchdowns.

Takeaways

The Hoosiers have played tough football the last three games, losing three. Kicker Chris Freeman missed two field goals. Allen’s decision to go for it on fourth and one instead of kicking a field goal late in the third quarter is likely due to his lack of confidence in the kicking game.

The Hoosiers will attempt to reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket against Purdue next weekend.