MADISON, Wisc.--The weather was not a factor.
That's what IU Coach Kevin Wilson said after the Hoosiers' 51-3 loss to Wisconsin.
It was 48 degrees with 18 mile per hour wind and a light drizzle at kickoff.
Both teams had to play in the same conditions. However, the weather was more favorable towards Wisconsin's physical run-first offense compared to a Tevin Coleman-less IU offense that is one of the most prolific passing attacks in the country.
"The conditions were on the running back's side," Badgers freshman running back Corey Clement said.
Fellow Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon said Wisconsin Coach Gary Andersen told the Badgers that the conditions were "running back weather."
"We knew that (Indiana) was a passing team so it would work against them and work right for us," Gordon said. "We knew we were going to get the ball and put the team on our back and we definitely did that today."
Wisconsin sophomore quarterback Joel Stave said passing wasn't easy on Saturday, citing the slick field conditions and the wind.
"It showed on both sides of the ball," he said. "The wind was probably the worst part of it, so you just have to be aware of it. Make good decisions when you are throwing."
Despite IU redshirt sophomore quarterback Tre Roberson's claims that the weather didn't affect the Hoosiers' offense, Wilson said he thought the weather made it tougher for IU to get in a rhythm on offense.
He said Wisconsin's defense, along with the wind and rain, disrupted IU's timing.
"You got to lean on your running game," Wilson said. "We're OK at that but that's a little bit tougher sledding for us."
Without starting running back Tevin Coleman, who did not travel to Madison due to an ankle injury, the Hoosiers were forced to recreate their 2011 backfield. Senior Stephen Houston started in the backfield and he split carries with junior D'Angelo Roberts.
"When you're not an overpowering offense in the run game, you got to be pretty efficient in the pass game," Wilson said.
The Hoosiers' offense thrives when its ground and aerial attacks complement each other. However, neither one was at full strength on Saturday.
The Badgers' defense and the weather limited IU's quarterbacks to 122 passing yards and a 40 percent completion percentage, which were the worst passing statistics of the season for the Hoosiers' offense.
"I got to handle the weather better," sophomore quarterback Nate Sudfeld said. "Obviously, I got a lot to work on in that area. (I) can't afford to do that"
