Here are some brief thoughts from Bill Lynch's weekly radio show. He appeared calm and collected at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and fielded several non-threatening questions from audience members and via phone calls.
Lynch mentioned the statistical oddities of the game. Here were a few he mentioned:
- Offensively, IU did not commit a single turnover and had zero offensive penalties (a season first).
- The Hoosiers converted a respectable 46 percent of their 3rd-down opportunities.
- While the team gave up a safety, Lynch said the team won the special teams score 7-2 (with Fisher's return).
- The defense collected three interceptions in the second half.
However, Lynch's emphasis was that his team needs to finish games. Lynch mentioned this is the second game which the Hoosiers have been leading on the road against a Big Ten team in the fourth quarter and lost the game.
Did he think the players let up after building a 28-3 lead? No, Lynch said. "It was game-on" for the entire game, and Lynch said he had assumed the game would go down to the final possession prior to Saturday.
Lynch's thoughts on the 4th-down goal line play by Mitchell Evans that came up short: "I felt we needed a touchdown...if we don't get it, they have to go 99 yards" - which Northwestern proceeded to do.
On the 4th-and-3 play in Wildcats' territory: Lynch said it's a case of finishing games - both teams had 4th-and-3 situations - and each ran the same passing route. IU failed to convert; Northwestern converted.
Was there a negative feeling on the sideline as Northwestern started its comeback? "No," Lynch said. "I've been on that sideline." His reason for the comeback: "We just didn't make enough 1st downs."
Thoughts on Iowa as a beatable team? Lynch said for his team to stay competitive against the No. 7 Hawkeyes, the players must get to the fourth quarter with a chance to win. Once the team gets to the fourth quarter, they have to finish. They will finish by making first downs and getting the Hawkeyes off the field - something they couldn't do against Northwestern or Michigan.
