-- Indiana 41, Akron 24 [FINAL] --
Tracy Porter intercepted a hail mary attempt at the two-yard line and returned the ball 49 yards to Akron's 49 to seal the victory for IU.
And in less than four hours, the Hoosiers were able to hold off Akron, 41-24, and improve their record to 3-0.
The IDS game ball goes to Kellen Lewis, who had Hoosier fans having Randle El flashbacks this afternoon. Lewis ran for nearly 200 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. In the first half he recorded the longest run of his career scrambling for a 64-yard gain.
IU's defense held Akron to only seven second half points, an improvement from their second half letdown last weekend in Kalamazoo.
With the game over, the entire IU football team and marching band have migrated to the IU student section to sing the school song and celebrate the victory. There aren't many people left at the game, but those who remain are really soaking up the "W."
For more on this game check Under The Rock later and read Monday's sports section. Have a great day and enjoy IU's unbeaten season.
-------------------- -- Indiana 41, Akron 24 [Fourth quarter, 1:40] --
I said the Hoosiers should run the clock out...Bill Lynch voted for running up the score a little bit.
Lewis scrambled outside of the pocket on a play-action pass and hit Hardy in the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown. I feel like Hardy is the type of guy who doesn't talk to anyone after the game if he doesn't score a touchdown. I don't think he has an anger problem, I'm just saying he has very high standards.
Up 17 with less than three minutes to play, it looks like the Hoosiers will be moving to 3-0 this afternoon and are halfway to being bowl-eligible. If only they could play the Zips every week.
-------------------- -- Indiana 34, Akron 24 [Fourth quarter, 3:53] --
Akron was unable to get anything going offensively and went three-and-out before punting. Thanks to a heads-up return by Porter, the Hoosiers take over on Akron's 30-yard line.
This is point of the game when the Hoosiers need to run the ball into the ground and kill some clock. I understand running the clock out isn't the sexy thing to do, but it's the way you win ball games.
The Hoosiers started their drive with a 5-yard run by Thigpen.
-------------------- -- Indiana 34, Akron 24 [Fourth quarter, 6:25] --
Well, that was quick (that's what she said). On the next play Lewis faked a handoff to Thigpen and ran the ball himself for a 17-yard touchdown.
Lewis has now run for 196 yards and two touchdowns on the afternoon. The record for an IU quarterback in a single game is 210 yards by Antwaan Randle El (surprise).
330 of the Hoosier's 446 yards have come on the ground today. IU is out rushing Akron, 330-91.
-------------------- -- Indiana 27, Akron 24 [Fourth quarter, 6:41] --
There have been at least three pass interference calls today that shouldn't have been flagged. Apparently, if there is an incomplete pass down field and a defender is nearby, it's pass interference.
The latest example came in an incomplete pass to Hardy. After the ball slipped through his hands the crowd showed their disapproval and a flag was thrown.
IU has the ball inside Akron's red zone and could really use a touchdown to distance themselves from the Zips.
-------------------- -- Indiana 27, Akron 24 [Fourth quarter, 9:36] --
Carlton Jackson continues to have his way with IU's defense. Jackson lulled the Hoosiers to sleep with several runs before hitting Jabari Arthur in the end zone for a 26-yard touchdown.
Tracy Porter was down on the field after the extra point, but eventually got up and was able to walk to the sideline on his own. With under 10 minutes left the Hoosiers are only up a field goal about to receive the kick-off.
-------------------- -- Indiana 27, Akron 17 [Fourth quarter, 12:58] --
Dear Akron,
Consider this a friendly piece of advice: Kellen Lewis is going to run the ball.
Sincerely,
Someone who can see
-------------------- -- Indiana 27, Akron 17 [End of third quarter] --
Random rant of the afternoon: Akron has the worst punt formation in the country. Instead of lining up in a traditional style, they take three of their lineman and put them about halfway between the line of scrimmage and the punter.
Those three players together form the most useless wall outside of the US/Mexico border. Not only do the Hoosiers get penetration and almost block every punt, but Akron's punter barely kicks the ball over his own blockers. I have no idea what the positives of this formation are. Maybe Akron just knows they can't stop a normal punt block formation, so they try and counteract it with a formation as untraditional as an Anthony Mason free throw attempt.
Okay, thanks, it's out of my system.
The Hoosiers will start the fourth quarter on their own 22.
-------------------- -- Indiana 27, Akron 17 [Third quarter, 4:04] --
After four consecutive Kellen Lewis runs to the right, the quarterback hit Hardy over the middle for a 26-yard completion.
Both teams have had a hard time tackling the other team's playmakers. The first or second tackler has rarely wrapped up Lewis and IU has missed countless tackles of their own on special teams.
The thing that makes Lewis such a dangerous runner is his confidence. He has no wasted movement. He doesn't use a lot of extra jukes and moves to get by defenders - he just cuts and runs right by them. For a guy that is skinny, Lewis is an extremely powerful runner and isn't prone to a lot of big hits.
On third and 15, Lewis dropped back and with no receivers open downfield he did what he does best, run. Lewis kicked it into another gear and easily ran around an Akron linebacker that resulted in a 24-yard gain.
Three players later, and on Akron's three yard line, Lewis scampered into the end zone for a touchdown, his third all-purpose TD of the day.
Lewis now has 12 carries for 150 yards and a touchdown. He's also 16-21 passing the ball for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
-------------------- -- Indiana 20, Akron 17 [Third quarter, 10:53] --
Two Hoosiers have now had the longest rushes of their career this afternoon. In the first half, Lewis scrambled for a 64-yard dash up the right sideline and now Thigpen just took off up the middle for a 59-yard gain.
After the 59-yard gain, the Hoosiers found themselves stalling once again in the dead zone, er red zone. Two failed runs up the middle by Sears and an incomplete end zone pass to Hardy forced the Hoosiers to settle once again for a chip shot field goal.
The kick was good. The red zone offense...not so much.
-------------------- -- Indiana 17, Akron 17 [Halftime] --
With two seconds left Akron called timeout from their own 48-yard line. It set up a Will Patterson sack to end the half.
The Hoosiers have showed glimpses of greatness and mediocrity in the first half. They've already allowed 17 points to Akron, but have played well enough offensively to keep it even at the half.
IU has played their best this afternoon when lining up in a four or five wide receiver sets. It enables the Hoosiers to spread the field for the passing game and set up Lewis for the occasional run.
-------------------- -- Indiana 17, Akron 17 [Second quarter 1:20] --
I'mf eattting mhy werds.
In case you couldn't decipher the message above, that was me eating my words.
The Hoosiers just ran the Ray Fisher screen pass (look below, its their new favorite play) for a 24-yard touchdown. The Marcus Thigpen shotgun handoff has never done that.
And for those who wish it were basketball season, Kelvin Sampson is currently sitting in the Memorial Stadium press box with us media folk.
-------------------- -- Indiana 10, Akron 17 [Second quarter 3:39] --
Ladies and gentleman, Akron's 2007-2008 starting quarterback: Carlton Jackson.
Since being put in the game, Jackson has torn IU's defense to shreds. He just led the Zips on a seven play 78-yard drive. He's been able to complete almost all of his passes downfield and also has been running for several first downs.
On a brighter note, Austin Thomas is on the field in his usual safety position for the Hoosiers. Mitchell Evans has played well when given the opportunity this season (two picks against Western Michigan), but there is something uneasy about having a former quarterback and a former wide receiver (Nick Polk) as your starting safeties.
Also, the Marcus Thigpen shotgun handoff has been replaced as IU's favorite play by the Ray Fisher screen pass. It is good for a two-yard loss every time.
-------------------- -- Indiana 10, Akron 10 [Second quarter 7:18] --
The loudest Memorial Stadium cheer of the afternoon was rudely interrupted by an Akron timeout. It was as if everyone in attendance realized that simultaneous screaming could result in some type of home field advantage. It was kind of like watching a young fawn walk for the first time.
Too bad the Hoosiers couldn't hear me from the press box. Akron lined up with five wide receivers on their three-yard line. Being an avid AFC South fan, I knew Akron was about to run the "Byron Leftwich QB Draw" play. And wouldn't you know, Jackson took the snap and ran it up the middle for the Leftwich score. It was Akron's first rushing touchdown of the season.
On a related note, Greg Brown did a wonderful celebratory dance to celebrate the Hoosiers stopping Jackson from getting in the end zone. You could see his disappointment from the press box when he turned around and realized that Akron had scored after all. Keep dancing, Greg, you have moves.
-------------------- -- Indiana 10, Akron 3 [Second quarter 8:22] --
Trying to hit Andrew Means in the end zone, Lewis had his attempt deflected and intercepted in IU's end zone.
For the second straight week IU's defense has forced an early quarterback change. Carlton Jackson has come in for the ineffective Chris Jacquemain. Personally, I'm biased towards anyone named Carlton.
--------------------
-- Indiana 10, Akron 3 [Second quarter 10:54] --
I've only talked about IU's offense so far, but the Hoosiers defense looks rock solid. They forced a fumble on Akron's first drive and forced the Zips to punt their next two possessions.
After letting Akron drive down the field the Hoosiers did their best "Steel Curtain" impression and zapped the Zips on their goal line. Will Patterson made a great tackle on third down to keep Akron out of the end zone and force them to settle for a 20-yard field goal.
It's easy to overlook, but IU's defense has really helped the offense this afternoon. The defense has given IU's offense incredible field position so far.
-------------------- -- Indiana 10, Akron 0 [End of first quarter] --
The Hoosiers have looked sharp on offense this afternoon, until now. Tom just described the Hoosier's most recent offensive possession as the "bizarro drive."
The first play was a screen pay to Ray Fisher, who then inexplicably ran backwards and ultimate lost 17 yards on the play. The next play resulted in a loss and on third down the Hoosiers went back to Fisher for a short gain.
Then on fourth and 16 the Hoosiers decided to go for it before calling a timeout and deciding to punt.
Akron took over the ball deep in their own territory but was able to draw a lengthy pass interference call on Tracy Porter. The Memorial Stadium crowd immediately started a "bull----" chant. I've never heard thousands of people curse before 1:00 p.m. before.
-------------------- -- Indiana 10, Akron 0 [First quarter, 7:06] --
I'm making a habit out of stating the obvious this week, but the Hoosiers offense looks great.
On IU's first play of the drive Kellen Lewis faked a handoff to Marcus Thigpen then took off down the right sideline. Aided by some great downfield blocking by James Hardy, Lewis was able to run for 64 yards, the longest run of his career.
The Hoosiers were almost stopped on their opponent's 1-yard line for the second straight week before Lewis through a play-action pass to Josiah Sears on fourth down for the score.
-------------------- -- Indiana 3, Akron 0 [First quarter, 10:28] --
After a fumble by Akron quarterback Chris Jacquemain the Hoosiers took the ball over in their opponent's territory on the 36-yard line. I'm not sure whether it is coincidence or intimidation, but IU's opponents have really struggled holding onto snaps this year. Better known as Rex Grossman syndrome.
Thanks to a 17-yard completion to James Hardy the Hoosiers were able to get inside the red zone. But they would have to settle for a 30-yard field goal by Starr.
This the first time a team has scored on Akron in the first quarter. That's saying something considering the Zips played Ohio State last week.
-------------------- -- Indiana 0, Akron 0 [First quarter, 15:00] --
Austin Starr drove the opening kick-off deep into Akron's end zone, forcing them to begin the game with a touchback.
The Hoosiers will be without two starters for this afternoon's game against Akron.
Freshman Mike Stark will be starting in place of senior right tackle Charlie Emerson and freshman Mitchell Evans will replace injured sophomore safety Austin Thomas.
-------------------- The IDS football staff is awake at an unprecedented Saturday morning hour to bring you updates from today's game against Akron.
It is an extremely bright and sunny day at Memorial stadium. So bright in fact that the glare of the press box glass could melt an ant. Or a columnist trying to watch the game.
Only a few Indiana and Akron players are on the field at this time warming up and the bleachers remain equally vacant.
We'll be here all afternoon to blog updates and commentary. If anyone has any questions or comments feel free to post.
