EVANSTON, Ill. – Minutes prior to kickoff, Northwestern’s offensive coaching staff stood patiently in front of an elevator.\nEngulfed in a sea of purple, a nearby Wildcats fan reminded the coaches to play all four quarters, a playful jab at the team’s inability to score in the final period the past two games.\nBut Northwestern’s scoring problems dematerialized Saturday. A week after gaining their own bowl eligibility, the Hoosiers handed the Wildcats theirs. \nNorthwestern scored 21 second-half points against the Hoosiers after the team had only scored a combined 19 points in the second halves of its previous three games.\nNorthwestern gave the Hoosiers every opportunity to notch their seventh win Saturday, but the Hoosiers couldn’t capitalize. \nIU’s two most costly turnovers Saturday ultimately decided the game. One would serve as the game’s turning point, the other would seal Northwestern’s victory. \nWith a 14-3 lead and the ball midway through the second quarter, Kellen Lewis took a big hit on a pass attempt. An official’s time out would force Lewis to sit out a play, even though he was able to jog off the field.\nA quick glance to the sideline showed Bill Lynch sticking to his depth chart – freshman quarterback Ben Chappell was warming up. A few feet away from Chappell stood another quarterback with his hands firmly buried inside his hand warmers. \nThose hands belonged to senior Blake Powers, IU’s former quarterback with 468 career pass attempts. Chappell had thrown one career pass. \nWhat ensued on the third down would best be described as the “worst case scenario.”\nFacing third-and-6 with a two-possession lead, the Hoosiers puzzlingly decided to try to pick up the first down through the air with a quarterback who was as green as the grass.\nChappell lined up in shotgun formation. The ball was snapped. Chappell stared down his receiver to his right, then stared him down some more and fired a perfect pass to Northwestern linebacker Eddie Simpson, who caught the ball in stride and ran 41 yards into the end zone, completing the “pick six.”\nIt’s hard to deflect blame, but it would be unfair to pile on Chappell. The last time he threw a pass in a meaningful game was at Bloomington High School South. Now with maybe eight warm-up tosses he is supposed to pass for a first down against a Big Ten defense?\nBut the Hoosiers would battle back. IU went 80 yards in the fourth quarter to take a 28-24 lead with 5:34 left. \nBut the game of hot potato continued, and Northwestern would score again minutes later. Once again, the Hoosiers mounted a comeback and had the ball in Wildcat territory with 22 seconds left. The Hoosiers called a time out.\n“The first thing coach told me before we went on the field is ‘We’re almost in field goal range, don’t take a sack,’” Lewis said. \nWhat ensued on the next play would best be described as the new “worst case scenario.”\nWith a time-out still in his pocket, Lewis dropped back. But the pressure came quick and IU’s quarterback couldn’t find an open receiver. He stepped up, was hit hard and tried to bring his arm forward to throw an incomplete pass.\nInstead, Lewis took a sack and fumbled the ball. The play was reviewed, but the call stood. For the second time in less than a month, IU would stage a last-minute comeback, only to let the ball – and the game – slip away.\nIf you find yourself waiting in front of an elevator this week, and IU’s coaching staff happens to be present, politely remind them to take care of the ball. It just might be the difference.
Prediction: IU 41, Northwestern 27\nActual: IU 28, Northwestern 31
