Indiana Football: Hoosiers win defensive struggle against Wisconsin

The Hoosiers and Badgers combined for just 559 total yards.

This was an old-school, physical, low-scoring Big Ten football game. Both teams scored in the second and third quarters. Neither offense could get anything going consistently in this one. The Badgers punted three times, turned the ball over twice, and lost the ball to downs once in six of their eight possessions.

The Hoosiers punted five times on eight possessions. Indiana football scored seven points off of two Badgers possessions. Wisconsin scored a field goal on their lone possession. The Badgers defense held Indiana’s struggling running game to just 87 yards and 2.8 yards per carry. Indiana quarterback Jack Tuttle had just 130 yards passing. The Badgers did little wrong outside of giving up two touchdowns.

Indiana played their usual bend don’t break style of offense. Wisconsin moved the ball at times but could not find the endzone. In addition to keeping the Badgers out of the endzone, Indiana also had two more turnovers giving the Hoosiers 20 to lead the Big Ten. Mertz piled up the passing yards, but he was not efficient and had two turnovers.

Indiana disguised its coverages all game confusing the first-year starting quarterback. The Badgers run game was held in check averaging just 4.0 yards per carry and no touchdowns.