Self inflicted wounds plague Indiana football in loss to Purdue

Indiana football was unable to capture the Old Oaken Bucket losing their season finale 35-31 to Purdue on Saturday.

A common theme for the Hoosiers this year has been self inflicted wounds, and Saturday was no different. Missed tackles, turnovers, penalties and an inability to finish cost Indiana football the game against their rivals.

Despite holding a 10 point lead heading into the fourth quarter the Hoosiers were unable to hold on, giving up 17 points in the final quarter.

A big reason for the collapse was missed tackles on defense. Indiana finished the game with only one sack but could have had at least five, but they could not get Purdue quarterback Hudson Card to ground. Card, who is not known as a runner, finished the game with 85 rushing yards and the game winning touchdown for the Boilermakers.

“I have no words. I’ve never seen that many missed opportunities on sacks in one game,” Tom Allen said about the missed sacks. “So frustrating without question, it’s hard to even put into words, to be honest with you. You got him in the pocket, you got to get him on the ground.”

It was not just that the Hoosiers missed tackles and sack opportunities, what it made it even more demoralizing was Purdue consistently turned the mistakes into first downs and positive plays.

In the 4th quarter with Indiana leading 28-25, Purdue had a pivotal 3rd and 7 with a chance to force a punt. Indiana got pressure on Card but he broke a few tackles in the backfield before he was able to roll out and find his man George Burhenn for a 10 yard gain, which would set up the tying field goal.

The missed tackles were only a small piece of the problem for the Hoosiers. All season, Tom Allen has preached the importance of winning the turnover battle and the Hoosiers did not just fail to do that, they had three turnovers on offense while they were unable to force a single one on defense.

All three Indiana turnovers were interceptions thrown by Brendan Sorsby in the first half. Purdue was unable to score off of the first two interceptions, but the final one was a difference maker in the game.

Indiana had the ball at their own 45 with under three minutes left in the half looking to add to their 14-6 lead. Sorsby threw a deep ball to Donovan McCulley, but was intercepted by Dillon Thieneman, his second pick of the game.

Purdue would go on to score a touchdown on the ensuing drive before half cutting the deficit from eight to two before the break.

Despite the missed tackles, turnovers, 70 yards allowed in penalties and other mistakes, Indiana football had an opportunity to win the game. With under three minutes remaining, the Hoosiers had the ball at their own 30 with two timeouts.

Indiana was able to drive down to the Purdue 35 before they were stopped on 3rd and one and then again on fourth down. The Hoosiers not finishing games has been a theme over the last three weeks.

Indiana football lost their final three games of the season all by less than a touchdown. Had Indiana won all three games, they would have been bowl eligible for the first time since 2020.

Tom Allen used the word ‘devastating’ after the latest addition of another close loss.

“We’ve kinda seen in all three of the games, all three phases having an opportunities to finish and not being able to get that job done,” Allen said about their close losses. “It is very frustrating, disappointing’s not even the right word it’s just devastating.”

Indiana football has had plenty of opportunities to turn their season around and failed, finishing 3-9 and only winning one Big Ten game on the season. The results of the season have led to speculation regarding the future of Indiana football head coach Tom Allen.

If Allen is fired before Dec. 1, 2024, Indiana would owe him $20.8 million because of the extension he signed with the program in March of 2021.

“I get it, you gotta win. I understand the nature of college football and I understand that full well. I’ve been in this a long time,” Allen said when asked about his job security. “I want to win more than anybody so we’re gonna keep battling, scratching and clawing. That’s out of my hands, it’s not up to me.”

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