The Indiana Hoosiers narrowly defeated the Akron Zips in a thrilling game that went into four overtimes. The Hoosiers managed to pull off the win with a final score of 91-88. Both teams fought relentlessly throughout the game, trading baskets and putting on an impressive display of skills. The Zips showed incredible resilience, refusing to back down and even leading at various points in the contest. However, the Hoosiers held their composure and ultimately emerged victorious. It was a thrilling game that showcased the determination and talent of both teams..
BLOOMINGTON – IU stumbled its way through four quarters and as many overtimes to beat Akron on Saturday night, 29-27, in one of the uglier performances Memorial Stadium has seen from the home team in some years.
Here are three reasons why:
An offense regressing
If the final score did not necessarily suggest it, last weekend’s one-score loss to Louisville felt like a step forward for Indiana’s offense. Tayven Jackson found a rhythm. Jaylin Lucas got more involved. The line held up well against an ACC opponent.
None of which carried forward, concerningly, to Akron.
Jackson struggled to find that same rhythm inside coordinator Walt Bell’s play calls. Run-pass balance never materialized. IU struggled to protect Jackson, Akron far too often getting bodies in his lane and hands in his face.
The result was an offense that looked disconnected. From the booth to the field, there were more problems than solutions. Indiana couldn’t consistently find anything to build upon, and therefore nothing to move the ball. How what should’ve been a comfortable win became a grave concern.
Defense does its best
The other side of the ball tried to pick up the slack.
Despite sometimes facing short fields, and while struggling to come to grips with the mobility Akron presented at quarterback, the Hoosiers allowed some yards but not nearly so many points.
They firmed up when they needed to. They played big on third downs. They pressured consistently, and picked off three Akron passes. Louis Moore, who logged two of those interceptions, returned the second for a touchdown.
It was Indiana’s first three-interception performance since 2020.
All of which gave the Hoosiers, who flirted for all four quarters with disaster, the platform to avoid an ugly, unacceptable upset Saturday.
Overtime decides it
A trick play ended the game.
Unable to separate in their mediocrity across three overtimes, the Hoosiers and Zips finally finished the job in the fourth. IU scored on a reverse pass, lining Donaven McCulley up behind center to take the snap, only for him to toss the ball to Jackson on the reverse, and Jackson hit DeQuese Carter open in the end zone.
Akron’s last attempt, under the new 2-point conversion rules, fell incomplete. IU dodged disaster.
Follow IndyStar reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.
Indiana University had a rocky performance against Akron on Saturday night, winning in an unimpressive 29-27 victory. The offense struggled to find a rhythm and the run-pass balance was off. The defense did their best to pick up the slack, allowing yards but not many points. They pressured Akron consistently and picked off three passes, with one returned for a touchdown. The game was decided in overtime, with a trick play ending in a touchdown for Indiana and Akron’s last attempt falling incomplete. Overall, it was a concerning performance for Indiana.
Hashtags: #Hoosiers #escape #Zips #overtimes
Hgvt.edu.vn trang tổng hợp kiến thức giáo dục, công nghệ, đời sống. Bạn có thể tự đánh giá nội dung và trở thành cộng tác viên của chúng tôi
Hgvt.edu.vn trang tổng hợp kiến thức giáo dục, công nghệ, đời sống. Bạn có thể tự đánh giá nội dung và trở thành cộng tác viên của chúng tôi
Leave a Reply