[Indiana 40, Minnesota 20] - (FINAL) --
The Hoosiers more than took care of business this afternoon, pummeling the Gophers, 40-20.
Bryan Payton led the way for IU with three rushing touchdowns - the most by an IU running back since 2003. The Hoosiers gained 466 yards on offense and were able to stifle the Gopher offense in the second half.
The Hoosiers now go to 5-1 for the first time since 1994. It might sound like an exaggeration, but this is probably the best day in IU football in a over a decade.
As tradition goes, the Hoosiers are on the field celebrating the victory with the student section and the Marching Hundred. There aren't too many fans left in the stands, but those who remain are soaking up the Hoosier 'W.'
The UTR crew is heading to the Hoosier Room for Bill Lynch's press conference and player interviews. Check the blog later for more coverage and be sure to read our stories on the IDS website later today.
Hope you enjoyed the blog, thanks for stopping by.
(On one final note, in my Friday column I predicted the Hoosiers to beat Minnesota 41-21. I'd say I don't like to brag, but that's obviously not the case by this final note. Sorry.) --------------------
[Indiana 40, Minnesota 20] - (Fourth quarter - 2:45) --
The Gophers fail to convert on fourth down and turn the ball back over to the Hoosiers are IU's 22-yard line.
It looks like Lewis will get to save his knees. The Hoosiers have put backup quarterback Ben Chappell in the game. ---------------------
[Indiana 40, Minnesota 20] - (Fourth quarter - 4:59) --
That will do it.
IU linebacker Will Patterson picked off a Weber pass attempt and returned it to the seven-yard line. On the ensuing play, Bryan Payton ran the ball into the end zone for his third touchdown of the day. -------------------
Starr's extra point attempt is good. The Hoosiers are up 20. The Memorial Stadium crowd is making its way into the exits and IU will go 5-1 for the first time since 1994.
[Indiana 33, Minnesota 20] - (Fourth quarter - 4:59) --
The Gophers forced the Hoosiers to go three-and-out and will take over on their own 30-yard line.
Minnesota has struggled to put together a consistent passing attack, which makes me question their ability to come back in this game. I will admit that the Hoosiers' secondary hasn't looked particularly strong today, but I think the safeties will be playing deep enough to prevent a big score. I think. ----------------------
[Indiana 33, Minnesota 20] - (Fourth quarter - 6:47) --
Eric Decker just caught his second touchdown of the day to pull the Gophers within two possessions. A failed two-point conversion leaves them a touchdown with a two-point conversion and a field goal away from tying it up.
The Hoosiers have rushed for 197 yards today and shouldn't have trouble running off a big chunk of time on this possession. I doubt Minnesota will go for an onsides kick here, but crazier things have happened. -------------------
[Indiana 33, Minnesota 14] - (Fourth quarter - 12:22) --
The Hoosiers just aired out their first punt of the day, which bounced, squibbed and skipped all the way to the Minnesota seven-yard line.
It's pretty safe to say that the Hoosiers are in line for a win today. Barring a handful of turnovers and a strong Minnesota comeback, IU should run the ball most of the fourth quarter in an attempt to shorten the game. ------------------------
[Indiana 33, Minnesota 14] - (End of Third quarter) --
A little air just squeezed out of IU's balloon: Lewis threw an interception. Minnesota returned the ball to IU's 41-yard line. ---------------------
[Indiana 33, Minnesota 14] - (Third quarter - 1:43) --
Kellen Lewis just scrambled for a ho-hum 44-yard scramble. The play lasted so long it would have been a shot clock violation in basketball.
Like any good Lewis run, IU's quarterback made defenders miss with his agility and ran by them with his speed. It really is a pleasure to watch someone so confident and patient with the ball in his hands.
The Hoosiers have the ball on the 36-yard line and are driving once again. ----------------------
[Indiana 33, Minnesota 14] - (Third quarter - 4:42) --
The Hoosiers are playing great, but there's been one Starr that's shined particularly bright.
Austin Starr. He just kicked his fourth field goal of the day - a 43-yarder. His four field goals today ties the school record.
It wasn't too many years ago when an IU field goal was a synonym for a disaster. Starr has really helped the Hoosiers turn one of the weakest parts of the program into a strength. --------------------
[Indiana 30, Minnesota 14] - (Third quarter - 9:50) --
Leslie Majors just made one of the best plays I've seen a Hoosier make all year.
Weber's pass was deflected by Geno Johnson, but still had enough steam on it to go another 10 yards. Majors had fallen down on the play near the sideline, but caught the ball with one hand while lying down on the Memorial Stadium turf. Insane.
The Hoosiers take over from the 24.
Comments:
Brandon: Sanserino is particularly sensitive today. In the second quarter I saw him pull out a Kerry Wood rookie card and cry for a solid five minutes. Sanserino denies this claim, and said he hasn't stopped crying since Thursday.
Also, "Lunchtime." I like it. I usually refer to him as "playmaker" but that isn't as original.
Finally, I predict the Buckeyes to win 24-10. I grew up in Bloomington, I can't stand the Boilermakers. It's like rooting for Nazi Germany. --------------------
[Indiana 30, Minnesota 14] - (Third quarter - 11:36) --
On third and six from the seven-yard line, the Hoosiers are unable to convert and are forced to settle for another field goal.
Starr splits the uprights on his 25-yard attempt.
One of the keys to IU's success in the first half was their ability to convert on third down. The Hoosiers picked up first downs on six of their eight third downs before halftime. ----------------------
[Indiana 27, Minnesota 14] - (Third quarter - 13:29) --
Minnesota's opening drive of the second half went almost unnoticed.
They ended up punting to the Hoosiers who will start their first drive of the first half from the 24.
I wish I had blogged this earlier, but I predicted correctly that the Hoosiers would open the second half with the Ray Fisher Screen Pass. They did, in fact, go to Fisher - for a career-long 54-yards. ---------------------
[Indiana 27, Minnesota 14] - (Halftime) --
The Hoosiers are content with their first half play and decide the knee the ball and run out the clock.
An impressive first half for the Hoosiers. I know that is painfully cliche but that is really the best summarization I can come up with. Offensively, they scored on every possession, except for the last series where they kneeled the ball. Defensively, they have been able to put more pressure on Minnesota towards the end of the half and haven't given up any points since Minnesota's second possession.
First half statistics: Kellen Lewis: 13-19, 144 yards and one passing touchdown.
Bryan Payton: Five carries, 68 yards, two touchdowns. Marcus Thigpen: Nine carries, 30 yards.
Ray Fisher: Five receptions for 39 yards. James Hardy: Three receptions for 70 yards and one touchdown. -----------------------
[Indiana 27, Minnesota 14] - (Second quarter - 1:03) --
Just in case you haven't been reading our blog, watching IU football this season and you didn't read Friday's IDS: Greg Middleton is very, very good.
Middleton just registered his 8.5 sack of the year, pulling down Weber for a 17-yard loss.
Uh-oh. Someone has released balloons into the sky and John Mellencamp is playing from the loud speakers. There is no chance of anyone paying attention on the next play.
If they did pay attention, they would have seen Middleton knock down a third down pass to force Minnesota to punt. I feel like IU should rip off the PGA Tour's slogan and put up posters of Middleton around campus with the message, "This guy is good" under it. ---------------------
[Indiana 27, Minnesota 14] - (Second quarter - 2:41) --
Payton punches the ball in from the one-yard line for his second touchdown of the day. The sophomore running back was hit around the three, yet broke the tackle to push his way into the end zone.
A couple of important injury updates:
- Senior center Ben Wyss is down on the field after Payton's touchdown. He was helped to his feet and was able to walk off the field. I can't really tell from the press box what type of injury, but he is walking gingerly. He doesn't appear to be limping, so I suspect it may be a head injury.
- A head injury will sideline Josiah Sears for the rest of the game. Also, freshman linebacker Tyler Replogle is out for the rest of the game. -------------------
[Indiana 20, Minnesota 14] - (Second quarter - 3:10) --
A sack on third down by Ryan Marando forces Minnesota to punt once again.
And the Gopher punt looks like it will turn into Indiana points. Porter caught the ball on IU's 14-yard line and returned the ball 71 yards to Minnesota's 15. Porter broke a tackle, skirted by a couple of Gopher defenders, and was off down the IU sideline. He was eventually tackled trying to cut up field.
IU has had great production from their special teams this season. They have some of the best kick returners in the nation. ------------------
[Indiana 20, Minnesota 14] - (Second quarter - 6:10) --
The Hoosiers came up with their first defensive stop of the afternoon and forced Minnesota to punt. Tracy Porter fielded the punt for no return and the Hoosiers take over on their own 37-yard line.
The Hoosiers picked up four first downs on their way to a 33-yard field goal. If it wasn't for easy dropped balls by Hardy and Means the Hoosiers might still be driving.
Two exceptional plays stood out to me on the drive:
- A short pass to tight end Nick Sexton. The Hoosiers rarely throw to the passer-blocker hybrids. - A reverse that went from Lewis to Payton to Fisher. Lewis laid a great block on a Minnesota defender and Fisher was able to pick up the first down. I swear Lewis is one of the best blockers on the team. If it weren't for that whole "Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week" thing, Lewis would be starting at right guard.
Comments...
Omri: Dungy's quiet strength is known by all. Luckily he's 50 years old and doesn't present an immediate threat to IU's defense.
Bizprof: It depends what you mean by patience. The Hoosiers shouldn't throw the ball deep to Hardy on every play, but I think being aggressive is the reason why they are up early in this game.
Lee: I'm sending Cleveland's insect population to Anaheim tonight to attack Big Papi.
Brandon:: It's the culture. People in Bloomington are just not motivated by a football game. Not to mention most college students, including myself, struggle to wake up before 1 pm on the weekends. ---------------------
[Indiana 17, Minnesota 14] - (Second quarter - 13:38) --
Lewis just hit Fisher in end zone right between the numbers, but the 5-foot-9 wideout was unable to hold onto the ball for the score. In frustration, Fisher took off his helmet and slammed his hands against the construction wall behind the goalpost.
A quick update on the North End Zone Facility: It looks like the athletic department has begun construction on the actual building. It's just four walls right now, but its significant progress since the last IU home game. The construction zone also looks like a BMX dirt biker's pipe dream. There's an idea for a halftime show.
Austin Starr drilled a 47-yard field goal for the Hoosiers to go on top once again. Will IU be able to stop Minnesota's defense and force a punt? -------------------
[Indiana 14, Minnesota 14] - (End of First quarter) --
IU's offense line has been giving Lewis all day to throw in the pocket. Lewis just stood in the back for a solid five-Mississippi before throwing to Hardy for 17 yards and a first down.
As my editor just texted me, where has Bryan Payton been? I responded buried in the depth chart. The PA announcer just said that Payton's touchdown was the longest Hoosier rush since Levron Williams in 2001.
I think the Hoosiers will keep Thigpen as the starter thanks to his versatility, but Payton's carries will increase as long as he keeps producing. He's a thicker back and can break tackles, although he didn't need to on his 47-yard run. He also gets an incredible burst of speed around the line of scrimmage, so by the time he meets defenders he's got a good deal of momentum behind him. ---------------------
[Indiana 14, Minnesota 14] - (First Quarter - 1:44) --
It didn't take long for Minnesota to the tie the game back up.
But credit IU's defensive line, which put up an admirable stand at their own goal line. The Hoosiers stopped Minnesota on three straight plays, but the Gophers converted on fourth down with a run up the middle for a touchdown.
To put it simply, both offenses look great and both defenses look equally soft. I'd say that this game will be decided by whoever wins the turnover battle. Both of these teams are going to score a lot of points this afternoon, it's just a matter of who can hold on to the ball. -------------------
[Indiana 14, Minnesota 7] - (First Quarter - 5:46) --
The Hoosiers are on top again thanks to a 48-yard run by Bryan Payton up the gut. IU started in shotgun formation, Lewis handed the ball to Payton and he took off almost untouched all the way to the end zone.
This isn't official, but that has to be IU's longest rushing play from scrimmage by someone not named Kellen Lewis. I consider Payton be a bruiser-pack generally, but he showed a lot of breakaway speed on that play.
This is official: that was the longest rush of Payton's career.
IU went 82 yards in seven plays. That's two straight drives over 80 yards. ----------------------
[Indiana 7, Minnesota 7] - (First Quarter - 8:23) --
The Gophers just connected on a 42-yard pass play to wide receiver Eric Decker. It looked as if the ball was overthrown and IU defensive back Leslie Majors would be able to make a play, but Decker was in single coverage and was able to out leap Majors for the snag.
Minnesota tied it up on the next play thanks to a seven-yard scramble by quarterback Adam Weber. Extra point: good.
The stands have started to fill in at Memorial Stadium. The student section is about on par with how it's been all year, but nothing exceptional. I would like to note that the Minnesota marching band is not present today - a great decision by the powers that be.
Shootout, anyone? ----------------------
[Indiana 7, Minnesota 0] - (First Quarter - 11:23) --
On their first play from scrimmage, the Hoosiers went with the infamous Ray Fischer Screen pass for about seven yards. The Hoosiers followed remarkably with the Marcus Thigpen Shotgun Handoff. Did I script the opening drive or did Bill Lynch?
On the fourth play, Lewis play-actioned and launched a deep 51-yard pass to James Hardy for a first down around the seven-yard line.
Two plays later, Lewis threw a soft fade route in an end zone corner to Ocho Dos (Hardy) for the touchdown.
Great start for IU. They stormed down the field and acted as if the Minnesota defense wasn't even there. The Gophers looked helpless against the 6-foot-7 Hardy on his two receptions.
ALSO, IU football cameo: One of the greatest minds in all of football is at Memorial Stadium today: Colts president Bill Polian. No word yet on whether he is here to scout Greg Middleton or not. -----------------
There are not 35,000 people at Memorial Stadium.
I don't have exact numbers to back this up, but a rough estimate puts the attendance much closer to 25,000. There is also about 26 percent of the crowd wearing white - is this a half-hearted attempt at a white out? Shouldn't they have told everyone else?
I'd also like to note that Big Mike Sanserino is in this press box today filling in for Lee. Lee told us he was going to a wedding in Connecticut, when in fact all of us know he is going to the Red Sox/Angels Game 3.
--------------------- It's before noon on a Saturday morning, so you know what that means...
The Under the Rock crew is sitting in Memorial Stadium's press box about a half an hour away from the Indiana/Minnesota kick-off.
It's perfect tailgating weather in Bloomington today, which might explain the relatively bare bleachers. The IU Athletic's Department estimated there would be 35,000 people at today's game, which would be a pretty good turn out even though it is only half the people the Hoosiers played in front of last week at Kinnick Stadium.
The Hoosiers are 14-point favorite for this afternoon's game, but Minnesota destroyed IU last season, 63-26.
We'll be here all game with coverage, analysis and other relatively relevant information. If you have any questions or comments feel free to holler.
