The Indiana Hoosiers’ debut in the College Football Playoff hasn’t gone as deliberate.
Though Indiana began the sport with an interception on Notre Dame’s second play from scrimmage, the Combating Irish took management by forcing a turnover of their very own and have not seemed again. The Hoosiers trailed 17–3 on the break, and the second half wasn’t a lot better.
Nonetheless trailing by 14 halfway by means of the third quarter, Indiana’s protection got here up with an enormous cease on third-and-4 from the Hoosiers’ 6-yard line. That compelled fourth down, and the Combating Irish trotted out their field-goal unit solely to shortly shift right into a wacky formation to run a trick play.
They did not get very far. Tight finish Mitchell Evans took a direct snap and was stopped about two yards quick, and it appeared Indiana can be getting the ball again down 14 factors.
Nevertheless, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti referred to as a timeout earlier than the ball was snapped. That gave Notre Dame one other probability at fourth down, and Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman opted to kick a area aim for a 20–3 lead.
Indiana acquired the cease and Cignetti referred to as timeout earlier than Notre Dame’s pretend area aim… pic.twitter.com/kyWBmbb2ki
— Pointless Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) December 21, 2024
That drive, by the best way, was saved alive by a questionable late hit penalty on Indiana defensive lineman James Carpenter. It has been that form of evening for Indiana.
Now, there is definitely no guaranteeing that had Cignetti not referred to as timeout, Indiana would’ve drove 90 yards down the sphere to make it a one-possession sport. The Hoosiers have not finished a lot on offense all evening. Nevertheless it was an enormous turning level within the sport, one which has Notre Dame on the verge of a Sugar Bowl look towards No. 2 Georgia on Jan. 1.
