IU defeats Akron 38-21

AKRON, Ohio — With two close wins to start the season, the IU football team needed a big victory to make a statement to the rest of the Big Ten.

And with their 38-21 win, the Hoosiers did just that.

IU quarterback Ben Chappell finished with 163 yards and two touchdowns with one interception on 28 attempts. The running game was equally effective.

IU freshman running back Darius Willis led the ground attack with 69 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.  Junior running back Trea Burgess added 59 yards and a touchdown and sophomore running back Darius Willis rushed for 45 yards.

“It was another good win for us,” IU coach Bill Lynch.  “It was good to see that in the second half we were finally able to score some points and create some turnovers.  We are very fortunate to get a win and now we are headed into the Big Ten season.”

On the first play of the game, senior cornerback Ray Fisher returned a kickoff 91-yards for a touchdown and the early 7-0 lead.

“I was really due for one,” Fisher said of his score.  “I sort of hit it and the rest is history.”

The very next offensive sequence for the Hoosiers ended in a made field goal by freshman kicker Nick Freeland.

But the Zips would fight back down on their next possession.  The first play was a 28-yard pass from Akron quarterback Matt Rogers to wide receiver Deryn Bowser.  The following pass attempt by Rogers was a 49-yard strike to Bowser down the right sideline for the touchdown.

The second quarter did not start strong for the Hoosiers.  On a punt on the IU 38- yard line, Akron blocked the kick and linebacker Aaron Williams fell on the football in the end zone to bring the score to 14-10, Zips.

A 10-yard pass from Chappell to junior wide receiver Mitchell Evans with 37 seconds remaining in the half sent the Hoosiers to the locker room with the 17-14 advantage.

The second half of play was all IU.

Chappell connected with sophomore tight end Max Dedmond with 8:26 remaining in the 3rd quarter for a 10-point lead.

Burgess and Willis each scored on runs of five and two yards, respectively, in the fourth quarter to put the game at 38-14 and out of reach for the Zips.

With 35 seconds remaining in the game, Akron quarterback Matt Rodgers ran into the end zone from nine-yards out to make the score 38-21.

The victory was the first road win for the Hoosiers since September 29, 2007 against Iowa.

“Anytime you go on the road in a hostile environment and quiet their fans, it feels good,” senior safety Austin Thomas said.  “Especially headed into Big Ten play, its good to get this win.  We’re excited about that.”

For more on the Hoosiers' win, see the Hoosier Hype blog.