Indiana’s Cinderella Run Ends: A Hostile Afternoon in Columbus
Ah, College GameDay: where the enthusiasm is so contagious you could almost catch it through the screen—if you’re lucky enough to be tuned in at 10 a.m. on a Saturday morning rather than, say, nursing a hangover. Pat McAfee was singing the praises of the Indiana Hoosiers in a manner that could only be described as “enthusiastically loud” when the legion of Ohio State fans, more than a little miffed, responded with an enthusiastic chorus of boos and a chant of “overrated.” Classic college football chatter, folks! I mean, if only constructive criticism had a soundtrack.
These upstart Hoosiers, dubbed by McAfee as “an island of misfit toys” (because nothing says underdog like being a bunch of outcasts), faced off against Ohio State, the Goliath of college football. The odds were about as stacked as a buffet at a weight-watchers reunion, with the Buckeyes favored to win by 10.5 points. As it turns out, even in sports, being the underdog is no guarantee of a fairy tale ending.
After a promising start—where they had that brief delusion of hope—Indiana found themselves on a slippery slope down to a 38-15 loss against the Buckeyes. Ohio Stadium, which could pack in over 105,000 raucous fans, wasn’t just a cool place for a football match; it’s essentially a giant sound amplifier for all the emotions Ohio State fans can muster. And boy, did they muster! It was like a Coldplay concert but with more aggression and fewer sad ballads.
The day was particularly unkind to Indiana’s star quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who has been dashing and charming all season long; he ended up having a game that even a kindergartner would probably describe as “not his best.” With an unfortunate performance of 8-for-18 passing and a measly 68 yards to his name, combined with an alarming five sacks, Rourke was like a deer in headlights—if the headlights were big, angry Buckeye players. And, let’s not forget that time he fumbled after an untouched Cody Simon delivered a hit so clean it could’ve been featured in a tutorial on tackling.
While the score certainly looked imposing, the outcome wasn’t a forgone conclusion until midway through the game. A string of special teams blunders from Indiana turned the tide like a poorly organized game of musical chairs. The first half ended with a dropped snap by punter James Evans and a back-breaking 79-yard punt return for a touchdown that allowed Ohio State to stretch a 7-7 tie into a 21-7 lead. Note to the special teams: it’s called “special” for a reason—please show up next time!
You’d think with all that buildup, Indiana would have come prepared—after all, they didn’t go from most losses in Division I history to a Cinderella story overnight! Their brash first-year coach Curt Cignetti strutted into the contest with the confidence of a cat that got fed after midnight. “We earned the right to be here,” he declared with an air of defiance that may have been a little too optimistic for anyone watching with even a trace of reality. Didn’t someone tell him that confidence can often be mistaken for blind hope?
True to form, even the referees were there to contribute to the drama—calling the Hoosiers “Illinois” during the coin toss. Memo to the officiating crew: when you’re tasked with managing the game, maybe getting the team names right shouldn’t be too much to ask? It’s like misnaming your child and then trying to justify it to everyone at Christmas dinner.
Now, don’t get me started on the Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye. His pre-game remarks could’ve been a motivational poster for nihilists everywhere: “Those who talk the most usually know the least.” It’s the sort of wisdom that has taken decades to unearth from the depths of the human condition, or maybe just from a fortune cookie.
But let’s give the Hoosiers some credit—they still started the game looking like contenders. A swift first series led by Rourke gave Indiana the lead, and they briefly silenced the crowd. Cue cheers, confetti, and enough hope to fill a stadium. However, once the Buckeyes answered back with a quick score, the stage shifted. Indiana’s defense seemed to play peekaboo with the Ohio State offense, and before long, it felt like varsity versus junior varsity out there.
“Google this. Today will be 29,” proclaimed a fan’s sign before the game, referencing Ohio State’s long-standing win streak versus the Hoosiers. The irony? It turned out to be a more confident prediction than fortune-telling at a flea market. Yet, despite the loss, Indiana proved they can hold their own, especially in the wild and unruly chaos of college football.
So, here’s the kicker, folks: while Indiana may not have pulled off the ultimate upset against one of the premier college football programs, they have shown they’re ready to compete. Sure, they didn’t beat themselves—let’s not mince words—the Buckeyes simply outplayed them, proving that sometimes, the narrative is just plain wrong. Sometimes, with all the right ingredients, you still end up with a soup that tastes like disappointment.
Now, as Indiana prepares to face Purdue in their regular-season finale, they’ll need to put on their best performance. With playoff hopes still flickering in the distance, they’ll need to show that even in the face of adversity, they can shine brighter than any referee’s poor judgment.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Pat McAfee, showcasing his signature, exuberant style on ESPN’s live “College GameDay,” heaped praise on the Indiana Hoosiers. However, the response from the fervent Ohio State fans was less than welcoming, as they filled the air with loud boos and a resounding chant of ‘overrated.’
McAfee later characterized the underdog Hoosiers as “an island of misfit toys, a group of people that were outcasts.” Though they were set to take on a formidable adversary on a campus renowned for its football fervor, the Buckeyes entered the contest as 10.5-point favorites. As the kickoff approached, it appeared that the day might see the end of a compelling Cinderella story led by Canadian quarterback Kurtis Rourke and his Indiana allies.
As the game unfolded on a blustery, chilly, and damp afternoon at the imposing Ohio Stadium, Indiana’s promising start quickly evaporated. Following a tough 38-15 defeat to the second-ranked Buckeyes, the fifth-ranked Indiana team bid farewell to their unbeaten record in front of a raucous crowd of 105,751 — some of the loudest supporters around.
It marked Ohio State’s 29th consecutive victory over Indiana, extending the longest head-to-head winning streak in Division I football against their less heralded Big Ten counterpart. The Buckeyes seized on the mistakes of an Indiana squad that found themselves in the most intimidating atmosphere they had encountered thus far this season.
Having transferred from the smaller Ohio University, Rourke sought to make his mark during what was shaping up to be a stellar final year in college football. Unfortunately, he faced significant challenges on this day, registering his least effective outing since joining the Hoosiers. Torn apart by a relentless Ohio State defensive pressure, the talented quarterback from Oakville, Ont., ended the game with only 68 yards on 8-of-18 passing and suffered five sacks, which included a devastating fumble caused by Cody Simon’s blind-side hit.
Although the eventual score indicated a lopsided affair, the game remained closely contested until the latter half. The pivotal question loomed: would this defeat push the Hoosiers out of contention for the coveted 12-team College Football Playoff? With their view set on a matchup against lowly Purdue in their regular-season finale next week, Indiana’s chances at an impressive 11-1 season faced scrutiny. Critics, particularly from the SEC realm, raised concerns about Indiana’s strength of schedule and whether it belonged in playoff discussions.
During the matchup, the Hoosiers displayed moments of competitiveness against a top-tier opponent, underlining their readiness to challenge elite programs. However, self-inflicted wounds ultimately hindered their chances of securing a win. Key mistakes on special teams — including a dropped snap from punter James Evans late in the first half and a 79-yard punt return touchdown by Ohio State early in the second half — transformed what was a 7-7 deadlock into a 21-7 lead for the Buckeyes.
Despite the Hoosiers’ best efforts, the challenging stadium atmosphere amplified the issues. Indiana experienced a false-start penalty and a delay-of-game call on third-and-short situations, stalling their drives when the game was still within reach.
Leading up to the game, Indiana had emerged as a surprising darling in the college football landscape. The brash new head coach, Curt Cignetti, who boldly proclaimed at his introductory press conference, “I win. Google me,” had brought in 27 new transfers, effectively transforming a team historically marked by its defeats into a formidable contender on the national stage.
Prior to kick-off, the seasoned 63-year-old Cignetti stood firm, asserting to ESPN, “We earned the right to be here.” He emphasized that there were no quick fixes in their ascent. “There’s a narrative out there that’s created another chip for us. People can stick that narrative up their you know what.”
During the pre-game coin toss, a humorous blunder by the referees added to the day’s peculiarities, as they mistakenly referred to Indiana as “Illinois.”
Earlier that day, Ohio State’s offensive line coach, Justin Frye, appeared to take a veiled jab at Cignetti during the OSU marching band’s traditional pre-game ceremony. Frye stated, “I learned from my dad a long time ago that those who talk and run their mouths most of the time know nothing.” He went on to highlight the significance of hard work over rhetoric.
Despite the taunts, Cignetti’s team quickly demonstrated to Frye and the crowd that they would not be easily dismissed. Rourke orchestrated an impressive opening drive for Indiana, setting the tone with a brilliant 7-0 lead.
After forcing Ohio State into a three-and-out to start the game, Rourke silenced the roaring crowd with two crucial completions on third-and-long situations. This culminated in an 11-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a two-yard rushing touchdown by Ty Son Lawton, who took the direct snap while Rourke positioned himself adjacent to him in the backfield.
The impressive opening showed that Rourke was unfazed by the pressures of the moment. Conversely, Ohio State’s quarterback, Will Howard, was equally prepared for the fierce competition.
After the Buckeyes failed to capitalize on a prime opportunity to equalize by being halted on fourth-and-one at Indiana’s two-yard line, their defense quickly turned the tide. Howard responded decisively, completing an 11-yard touchdown pass to Emeka Egbuka, marking his impressive 13-for-13 start with 105 yards through the air. Like Rourke, Howard transitioned to his current team after a successful tenure at Kansas State.
As the game progressed, Indiana’s offensive line struggled to provide Rourke with adequate protection, significantly limiting his ability to read the field effectively. Ohio State’s defense capitalized on the shifting field position, leading them toward yet another familiar triumph.
Before the contest, one Ohio State fan held up a sign stating, “Google this. Today will be 29,” highlighting the Buckeyes’ incredible streak against the Hoosiers.
As the game concluded, the fan’s prediction proved accurate — Indiana’s dream season suffered a setback with this defeat.
How can Indiana football build on their resilience after the loss to Ohio State as they prepare for the upcoming game against Purdue?
Gnaled the Hoosiers’ intent to compete. The crowd’s excitement was palpable as Indiana fans dared to dream of an upset. But that dream soon morphed into a nightmare as the Buckeyes swiftly adjusted, showcasing why they’re a powerhouse in college football.
After that initial score from Indiana, Ohio State quickly countered, and what began as a competitive clash ended in a definitive rout. The Buckeyes capitalized on Indiana’s mistakes, and as the game unfolded, it became clear that the experience and depth of Ohio State were overwhelming for the young Hoosiers.
Despite their loss, Indiana’s performance revealed a resilience and potential that bodes well for the future. The stage may have felt giant under the bright Ohio Stadium lights, but the Hoosiers showed they could hang with one of the best when the circumstances were right—even if the scoreboard said otherwise.
In the aftermath of the defeat, attention now shifts to the Indiana-Purdue matchup. For the Hoosiers, it’s about more than just bouncing back. It’s a chance to redefine their narrative, prove their worthiness for playoff consideration, and remind college football fans that they’re a team composed of more than just hopeful underdogs. After all, it’s in games like these where character is forged, and Indiana has the opportunity to take that next step towards relevancy on the national stage.
