Run D! (clap clap) Run D! (clap clap)
That’s the chant we need in B-town. The Hoosiers were abysmal in that respect this Saturday against Iowa. In what seemed to be the most winnable game for the Hoosiers in quite some time, the IU defense just simply didn’t show up.
Before delving into individual performances, which happened to be terrible, let's talk team stats. The Hoosiers produced 95 yards rushing while giving up 227 yards to the Hawkeyes. Iowa held the ball for a mere 21 minutes and 53 seconds to Iowa’s 38 minutes and 7 seconds. When you don’t have the ball, you can’t win. The Hoosiers offense committed 6 penalties for a total loss of 50 yards. Also, the Hoosiers were 4 for 14 on 3rd down conversions - that’s a lot of 3-and-outs.
As for individual performances, the Hoosiers were embarrassed. The Hawkeyes pounded us with their one-two punch of running backs in Shonn Greene and Jewel Hampton. Greene rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown while Hampton rushed for 114 yards and a crushing three touchdowns. On top of that, the Hoosiers gave up two passing touchdowns by the hands of QB Ricky Stanzi who completed 12 of 20 with 184 yards in the air.
Let me also make note that on offense, running back Marcus Thigpen compiled an impressive two rushing yards. Indiana QB Kellen Lewis(who got hurt and left the game) threw for 108 yards and a TD, but evened it out by tossing up and interception as well. Ben Chappell completed nine of 18 passes for no touchdowns and was sacked one time for a loss of 12 yards.
What can the Hoosiers do to turn their season around? Maybe pick it up a little on both sides of the ball. Our offensive line needs to open up holes to allow Thigpen to actually produce positive yardage. Perhaps changing up our run defense so that teams don’t have such an easy time running all over us.
Regardless, I think the only thing that can salvage the Hoosiers season at this point is steroids.
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