Despite the hype behind playing their first bowl game since 1993, the IU football team could not make it happen against Oklahoma State. From the kickoff of the Insight Bowl, the Hoosiers were overmatched and overpowered. The Cowboys’ sophomore quarterback, Zac Robinson, outplayed Indiana quarterback Kellen Lewis, throwing for three touchdowns and running for two more scores. By halftime, Robinson and the Cowboys were off to a 35-10 lead, and by the time the game had ended, the score was 49-33.
Robinson seemed invincible at times in his 11th career college start, leading the Cowboys to touchdowns on their first five possessions. He completed 24 of 34 passes for 302, but did have one interception. He also ran for 70 yards. But Robinson wasn’t alone on the offensive attack. Dantrell Savage ran for 100 yards and a score while wide receiver Dez Bryant caught nine passes for 117 and two touchdowns.
While the Hoosiers seemed to be overmatched and outplayed, Robinson told IUHoosiers.com that it had a lot to do with practice. "In our preparation, we knew what they were going to line up in pretty much every time," Robinson told IUHoosiers.com. "It was just executing and not turning the ball over."
The loss put an end to an emotional season for Indiana, who earned the bowl berth with a last-second field goal to beat the rival Purdue Boilermakers. Fulfilling the wishes of the late Terry Hoeppner, the Hoosiers played 13 in one of the best seasons in recent school history. But the first half firepower of the Cowboys proved too much for the squad to overcome in the long run.
Kellen Lewis passed for 204 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 83 yards and another score, but Oklahoma State limited the IU offense by taking receiver James Hardy out of the game. Hardy, who was not himself with at least three dropped passes, seemed to lack focus and was effectively shutdown by occasional double teams.
The Hoosiers finished the season 7-6, but took a huge step towards success for the future. This season may have ended on a low note, but this shouldn’t be the last we see of the Hoosiers in bowl games.
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