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Hoosiers Run Wild, But Red Zone Struggles Cloud Win

12by: CoachGriff5509/01/25X.com/HoosierTailgate
Hoosiers Run Wild But Red Zone Struggles Cloud Win!


By Shannon Griffith | Lead Football Analyst, TheHoosier.com

Indiana football powered its way to a 27–14 victory over Old Dominion on Saturday night, piling up an eye-popping 309 rushing yards behind a dominant offensive line performance. Roman Hemby led the ground game with 110 yards, Kaelon Black added 92 and a score, and David Beebe Jr. chipped in 73 as the Hoosiers controlled the ball for over 41 minutes of possession.

But for every long drive that showcased Indiana’s potential, the red-zone tape told a very different story. The Hoosiers finished just 2-of-6 on touchdowns inside the 20, settling for field goals and coming up empty twice on goal-to-go situations. Head coach Curt Cignetti didn’t mince words afterward, calling the lack of execution “unacceptable.”

The defense quietly turned in a strong effort, forcing three interceptions and holding ODU to just 10 first downs on the day. The lone blemishes were a pair of long touchdown runs by quarterback Colton Joseph — 75 yards on the game’s opening snap and 78 yards late in the fourth quarter. Outside of those breakdowns, Bryant Haines’ unit kept the Monarchs in check and consistently won on third down.

Special teams also delivered in a big way. Jonathan Brady’s 91-yard punt return touchdown swung the momentum squarely in Indiana’s favor and gave Memorial Stadium the jolt it needed.

Coach’s Clicker: The Tape Don’t Lie

  • Offense: C+ — 309 rushing yards can’t hide red-zone inefficiency.
  • Defense: B+ — Three picks, consistent pressure, but two explosive QB runs sting.
  • Special Teams: A — Brady’s return was the turning point.

What’s Next

Indiana now turns the page quickly with a Week 2 matchup against Kennesaw State, who nearly upset Wake Forest in a narrow 10–9 loss on the road. Former Hoosier quarterback Dexter Williams II leads the Owls, setting up an emotional storyline heading into Saturday.

Join the Conversation Tonight

We’ll break it all down LIVE on Hoosier Tailgate tonight at 7:30 PM ET:

  • Big Ten scoreboard & national headlines
  • Rushing dominance vs red-zone struggles
  • Coach’s Clicker film breakdown and grades
  • A quick look ahead to Kennesaw State

Drop your thoughts, join the chat, and don’t miss the full breakdown.

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