Indiana, the team that holds the title of National Champion, was expected to have the easier game on the night. Northwestern, by contrast, nearly pulled off an upset win.
The Hoosiers were heavy favorites at home, and they hung on to win 29-23 despite a late challenge from the visitors. Indiana had not been seriously tested much at all this season, but this game proved to be an exception.
Opening the game
The Hoosiers’ opening drive spanned 15 plays and covered just 67 yard, draining roughly half of the first quarter. It offered a mixed reply to the question of whether they would start slowly against Kentucky.
Safety, hit, and lead
Aidan Chiles, the Northwestern quarterback, lost the ball on a bad snap and was tackled inside his own end zone, which was enough for Indiana to take the lead at 2-0. The second half of the opening period also brought a rough sequence for the Wildcats, with running back Turbo Richard meeting rough treatment after he had already left the play, going directly to the locker room without any punishment from the officials.
The crowd at Memorial Stadium was not pleased when Indiana drew a call on a similar play against Northwestern. The Hoosiers still held a 12-0 advantage when the half ended. Northwestern had rushed for -5 yards through thirty minutes.
Northwestern’s comeback
Just past the halfway point of the third quarter, the Wildcats finally reached the red zone for their first time. Chiles finished that drive, even after what appeared to be a dislocated finger, and directed the Wildcats to the first points Indiana had surrendered since their season opener.
The Wildcats weren’t done in that game. Griffin Wilde connected with Chiles for a touchdown in the back of the end zone at the start of the fourth quarter, a remarkable score by any measure. Northwestern head coach David Braun chose to attempt two-point conversions on both occasions to tie the game, but the Hoosiers thwarted each one after a penalty was called.
The hero who took over
Richard’s exit left Lee Beebe Jr. with most of the heavy lifting. He got the Hoosiers inside the red zone with a 39-yard carry, and two plays later he punched it in for a touchdown.
A strong rushing performance by Beebe was the highlight of a night that was otherwise difficult, with 203 yards on the ground.
Penalties pile up
Indiana’s penalty problems came back to haunt them. They entered this contest averaging just three penalties per game, but they wound up with nearly triple that total.
A holding call sent the Wildcats to the Indiana 4-yardline, and a few plays later Chiles took matters into his own hands. Beebe put the Hoosiers back in scoring position. Some of those moves were costly.
Indiana got a new set of downs after a costly defensive pass interference penalty gave them one. Then, QB Josh Hoover took the ball on a keeper after fooling just about everyone in the building and found the end zone.
Northwestern added a field goal on the next drive, yet Indiana managed to recover the ball when Northwestern attempted an onside kick.
The verdict on the slow start
The slow-start problem remains a subject of discussion, but it kept Northwestern in the contest.
While the harm done to Richard is a serious worry, the performance of Beebe stands out as a clear positive.
Indiana faces Rutgers next weekend, followed by a game against Nebraska, with a major matchup against Ohio State set for October 17.
Key facts box
- Score: Indiana 29, Northwestern 23
- Favorite: Indiana, three-touchdown favorites
- Beebe finished with 203 rushing yards
- Indiana averaged just three penalties per game so far this season, but wound up with nearly triple that
It was a close call for Indiana, but they survived, and the scare was very real.
Source material: “Reigning champion Indiana Hoosiers survive major scare from Northwestern in Big Ten opener,” Fox News.
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