The Indiana Hoosiers had a battle on their hands Saturday Night at Memorial Stadium, and it took four overtimes to pull out a 29-27 win over Akron Zips. The Hoosiers are 2-2 on the season and travel to Maryland on Saturday at 3:30pm. Akron is 1-3 overall and host Buffalo at Noon. The Hoosiers are 4-0 all time against the Zips and 3-0 at Memorial Stadium but this was the tightest game in the series.
After a scoreless first quarter in which Phillip Dunnam picked off DJ Irons. The Hoosiers opened the scoring with 10:01 in the second quarter with a six-yard rush by Christian Turner for this second of the season to take a 7-0 lead. The Hoosiers Louis Moore intercepted Akron Quarterback DJ Irons and returned the ball back to the Zips four-yard line. Like the last drive against Louisville last week the Hoosiers were unable to punch it in. Akron scored on a 25-yard field goal by Dante Jackson to make 7-3 with 1:51 left before halftime. Tayven Jackson was picked off and the teams went into the locker room with the 7-3 scoreline.
In the Second Half the Zips scored with DJ Irons 14-yard touchdown run to take a 10-7 lead with 10:33 left in the third quarter. Jeff Undercuffler replaced Irons at quarterback and with 5:56 left in the third quarter he was picked off by Louis Moore who ran it back 22 yards for a touchdown as the Hoosiers take a 14-10 lead. The Hoosiers extended the lead 17-10 with 8:05 left in the fourth quarter with 19-yard field goal by Chris Freeman. Akron scored on a 71-yard touchdown run by Lorenzo Lingard with 3:34 left to tie the game at 17-17. Dante Jackson missed a 32-yard field goal with no time left in regulation and the game went to overtime with each team getting a possession from the 25-yard line.
In the first overtime Akron got the ball first as DJ Irons scored from 10 yards out on 3rd and 9. The Hoosiers responded as Tayven Jackson found Cam Camper on a 12-yard score as the game went to a second overtime tied 24-24. In the Second Overtime Indiana got the ball first and Chris Freeman hit a 27-yard field goal and Akron responded with a 23-yard field goal from Donte Jackson to tie the game at 27-27. In the third overtime the teams get 1 play for a two-point conversion and continue that until there is a winner. Neither team could convert and went to a fourth overtime tied 27-27. The Hoosiers got a Tayven Jackson to Dequece Carter conversion to go up 29-27. Akron had one last chance as DJ Irons pass was incomplete and the Hoosiers win the game.
Akron outgained the Hoosiers 474-282, the Zips had 24 first downs to 14 for the Hoosiers. Akron was 5-17 on third down conversions and the Hoosiers 3-14. Both teams were 0-2 on fourth down conversions. Tayven Jackson was 11-26 passing for 190 yards 1 touchdown and 1 interception. The Hoosiers receivers had several dropped passes and Jackson was overthrowing receivers. Christian Turner was the leading rusher with 13 carries for 67 yards as Indiana had 34 carries for 92 yards. Cam Camper who caught 2 passes of 40 yards or better finished 4 catches for 103 yards and a touchdown.
DJ Irons was 22-35 passing for 194 yards and 2 interceptions along with 141 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. Lorenzo Lingard who was the leading rusher and receiver coming into the game finished with 114 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown. Akron ran the ball 40 times for 263 yards and backup quarterback Jeff Undercuffler finished 4-7 passing for 17 yards and interception.
The Hoosiers finish non-conference play 2-1 and now face a tough Big Ten Schedule the rest of the way with road trips to Maryland, Michigan, Penn State, Illinois and Purdue. The Hoosiers host Rutgers, Wisconsin and Michigan State.
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