Indiana Football: Continuing to “Find A Way”

The theme of this Indiana Football conference season has become “Find A Way.” This team continues to scratch and claw their way to finding victories when complementary football has been absent. Though it is not the type of play that Indiana fans have been accustomed to under Curt Cignetti, this team truly focuses on each play having a life and history of its own. There have been inconsistencies with offensive and special teams efficiency. However, both units have risen to the occasion situationally when it matters late in games the last two weeks.

Two unsung heroes had their number called to push Indiana through the finish line of a game where Indiana struggled to score in the red zone and execute in special teams opportunities: quarterback Grant Wilson and kicker Paddy McAteer. Wilson made big plays in the second half after taking over for an injured Josh Hoover, while McAteer delivered one of the most memorable kicks in recent Indiana football history.

Wilson and McAteer Deliver When Indiana Needs Them Most

With Indiana trailing Minnesota 16-13 and just 19 seconds remaining, the situation looked as if Indiana had lost. The Hoosiers had struggled to find offensive rhythm throughout the afternoon, and Minnesota had seemingly put the game away with a 60-yard field goal of its own.

However, this team continues to operate with a next-play mentality which Curt Cignetti has preached since arriving in Bloomington. Wilson immediately connected with Charlie Becker on a 33-yard completion to put Indiana in position for a long field goal attempt. McAteer then delivered a 60-yard field goal as time expired to send the game into overtime.

Prior to this moment, McAteer had made just one of his previous three field goal attempts, a 21-yarder. Yet, when his number was called, he delivered from 60 yards. This is the most memorable kick in Indiana football history since Austin Starr’s kick to beat Purdue in 2007.

On the first play of overtime, Wilson connected with Becker for a 25-yard touchdown, giving Indiana the lead. Wilson threw a perfect ball leading Becker to give the Hoosiers the advantage over the Gophers. The defense followed by doing what it has done all season: making a critical play when the game was on the line. Tobi Osunsanmi brought down Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey for his BIG Ten Conference leading tenth sack on fourth down to seal the 23-16 victory.

Wilson finished with 156 passing yards and a touchdown, while Becker finished with eight receptions for 149 yards and the game-winning score.

These are the types of moments that define a football team. Indiana didn’t have its starting quarterback available, its offense was inconsistent, and special teams had experienced several costly mistakes. Yet, when the game was on the line, the Hoosiers made the critical plays to finish the game with a win down the stretch.

The Defense Continues to Be Indiana’s Identity

While the offensive struggles have become increasingly difficult to ignore, Indiana’s defense deserves tremendous credit for keeping this team in position to win. Indiana’s defense is among the top performing defenses in college football.

The defensive performance against Michigan was arguably the most impressive example of that unit’s ability to dictate a game. Holding Michigan to just six points in Ann Arbor which demonstrated the physicality and discipline this defense can bring to the field. That performance carried over against Minnesota.

The Hoosiers forced turnovers, created negative plays, generated pressure, and ultimately delivered the fourth-down stop needed to secure the victory. Osunsanmi’s game-ending sack was another reminder of the impact he continues to make along the defensive front.

Indiana has developed an identity on that side of the football. Create havoc and put the opposing team in difficult situations. The defense is giving this team a chance to win games even when the offense isn’t operating at its best. That is an important distinction as the Hoosiers move deeper into the Big Ten schedule.

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A Much-Needed Opportunity to Reset

Indiana has now played nine consecutive weeks of football. The physical and mental demands of that stretch cannot be overlooked, especially after consecutive games against Ohio State, Michigan, and Minnesota. The bye week comes at an ideal time.

First and foremost, getting healthy needs to be the priority. Hoover’s health, along with the overall condition of the offensive line and the rest of the roster, will be important as Indiana prepares for the final stretch of the regular season.

Beyond health, this coaching staff has an opportunity to evaluate what is working and what needs to change offensively and on special teams.

The Hoosiers don’t need to reinvent themselves. They need to rediscover the physicality, efficiency, and offensive rhythm that made this program so difficult to defend. Has Grant Wilson earn the right to have the reins at Quarterback based on his performance against Minnesota and the rumored injuries that Hoover is dealing with? We will wait and see what the staff decides is best for the team moving forward to win football games. They have earned that right and the trust of the fan base.

On special teams, they need to get back to mistake free operations and execution that has made this unit one of the best in the country the last two seasons under coordinator Grant Cain. Shanked punts and missed field goals are what loses a team a close football game. This needs to be addressed moving forward in order for Indiana to have success down the stretch and into the postseason play.  There is still plenty of football ahead, and the margin for error will only become smaller.

Finding a Way Is Important. Finding Consistency Is Essential.

There is something to be said about a team that continues to win when it doesn’t have its best stuff.

Indiana has now demonstrated that ability against Michigan and Minnesota. Two different games, two different challenges, and two victories that required contributions from players who weren’t necessarily expected to be the difference-makers.

That’s a credit to the culture Cignetti has established in Bloomington.

However, there is a difference between being resilient and being consistently efficient. Indiana has shown plenty of the former. The next step is getting back to the latter.

The Hoosiers are 8-1 and remain firmly in the Big Ten and national championship conversation. They are currently ranked 4th in the first official College Football Playoff rankings. They have a defense capable of keeping them in any game, a talented group of offensive playmakers, and a coaching staff that has repeatedly found answers in difficult situations.

But the expectations have changed. This isn’t simply about proving Indiana belongs among the nation’s best anymore. It’s about playing like one of the nation’s best teams consistently.

For now, the Hoosiers need to take advantage of a much-needed week off.

The motto remains the same. Continue to find a way to win.

But when Indiana returns to the field, it’s time to make finding a way look a little less difficult.