Playing Indiana isn't fun for anyone, but especially for Ohio State.
For whatever reason, the Hoosiers have always seemed to play well against Urban Meyer's teams at Ohio State, beginning with a 52-49 shootout in 2012 that launched a streak of unusually close games between the two programs. Normally, the Hoosier offense leaves Buckeye fans wondering what happened to their vaunted defense before offensive heroes like Braxton Miller or Ezekiel Elliott step up to finally land a knockout punch, but that wasn't the case in the latest tilt between the two programs.
Though the Buckeyes ran for nearly 300 yards on the day and still put up 38 points in Saturday's win over IU, quarterback J.T. Barrett never found his rhythm through the air, completing only 9-21 passes and producing only 93 passing yards, easily his lowest such totals of the season. Instead, the young Buckeye defense landed blow after blow to the explosive Indiana offense, keeping both phases of their attack in check. The Hoosiers mustered only 281 yards of total offense in Horseshoe, their lowest output in nearly a full calendar year.
While the Silver Bullets made plays throughout the day, none were more important than the string of stops they created early in the fourth quarter with their backs against the wall. Down by 14, the Hoosiers picked off a Barrett pass on a deflection, returning it all the way to the 13-yard line and sucking all the air out of Ohio Stadium in the process.
Many familiar with the history of these two teams likely expected this to be the time that would swing momentum fully to Indiana and create yet another close game, but a group of young Buckeye defenders had other plans.
First Down
The Hoosiers call for a simple Power-Read concept on their first play in the red zone, pulling the right guard around to kick out defensive end Jalyn Holmes (#11). This concept was shown over and over again by both teams that afternoon, and the Buckeyes seemed more prepared than ever to take it on. Holmes filled the gap to take away the inside run, should quarterback Richard Lagow keep for himself, while Jerome Baker (#17) quickly came upfield behind him to attack the sweep handoff to star running back Devine Redding.
However, Baker was clipped by the tight end, causing just enough contact to take him out of the play. Luckily, two of the Buckeyes' best playmakers, linebacker Raekwon McMillan and safety Malik Hooker, closed fast on Redding as the back looked to turn the corner near the sideline.
But Redding is an NFL prospect for a reason, and as he planted his foot in the ground to cut upfield, he left both ascending Buckeye tacklers in his wake.
Most defensive ends that get optioned inside like this would've likely taken the rest of the play off, assuming the two best tacklers on the field would do their jobs and make a stop. But Holmes showed another gear on this play, both physically and mentally, never quitting on the play and delivering a big blow that knocked the football loose.
Though the officials ruled that Indiana retained possession, Holmes' effort should not be overlooked, as he almost certainly stopped Redding from converting a first down, and possibly even reaching the end zone.
Second Down
Initially lining up in the same formation yet again, the Hoosiers shifted the tight end and wide receiver to the right side, looking to catch the Buckeyes under-manned on the left. With only four defensive linemen in the game, the Hoosiers hoped to simply out-muscle the smaller Buckeyes and push their way for a first down with this inside zone handoff.
In what would become a theme for this drive, the OSU defensive line would have other plans. Both players on the offense's right, nose tackle Michael Hill (#77) and Sam Hubbard (#6), would have to deal with double teams designed to take them out of the play before one blocker releases upfield to take out a Buckeye linebacker, leaving a nice cutback lane for Redding.
Instead, Hubbard and Hill fight through the double teams by doing the least glamorous work a football player can do: starting a pile. Neither player goes to the ground, but simply works laterally to hold their position and keep both blockers engaged as long as possible, knowing they'll have backup from their linebackers to step up and make a tackle.
Eventually, the tight end breaks off Hubbard and heads upfield to block McMillan, but not before he and Hill have closed off any inside holes and outside linebacker Chris Worley (#35) has come from the right edge to stop any cutback attempt. The Hoosiers are stuffed for no gain.
Third Down
Showing an excellent sense for play-calling, IU head coach Kevin Wilson builds not only his first play-call of the series but also from a touchdown pass to tight end Danny Friend earlier in the half. While lining up in the same formation and faking the Power-Read, Wilson is hoping the Buckeyes will once again get caught on the pick play he has set up for his receivers.
By running a simple, two-yard 'stick' route on the outside, the wide receiver to the left has not only sucked in cornerback Gareon Conley, he's created a barrier through which the defender responsible for the leaking tight end must get around.
Many defenders would go over the receiver in this instance, taking an angle against any deep balls that could come as a result. But although he's just a sophomore starting in only his fourth game, Baker has the presence of mind to go under the route, avoiding the pick route and taking away any opening for Lagow to throw into. The Hoosiers are now down to their last shot.
Fourth Down
The Buckeyes were forced to replace eight starters on defense this fall, including three along the defensive line. Few could expect the unit to replicate their dominance of the previous years, in which multiple players currently wreaking havoc on opponents in the NFL lined up in the scarlet and gray.
Thanks to some impressive efforts early in games to go with a dominant offense, these young Bucks had yet to truly face adversity on the field. As the Hoosiers lined up for a critical fourth down, that all changed.
While the Buckeyes put four defensive ends on the field for their 'Rushmen' package to get after Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield earlier this season, they'll have to come up with another nickname for the goal-line unit that features four tackles and six members of the OSU defensive line overall. Notably, the formation places two nose guards, Hill and Robert Landers (#67), in either 'A' gap over the center, while tackle Davon Hamilton (#53) and hybrid tackle/end Nick Bosa (#97) line up in the 'B' gaps between the offensive guards and tackles.
Many members of the Silver Bullet defense are already known on the national stage. Hooker and McMillan will likely be named award finalists, while Hubbard and Holmes will only continue to see their draft stock rise in the coming months.
But in what is the defining moment so far for a young defense, countless members of the unit stepped up. Through a mixture of effort, awareness, and technique, Meyer's defense not only stuffed the thorn that has long been in his side, but also showed the rest of the colelge football world what they're made of.
