Tweet
-
Originally posted by Miggyfan99 -
2nd Half Comeback Carries Indiana to National Championship Game
Bloomington, IN - Indiana's done it.
The Hoosiers (11-1) overcame a sluggish start to beat the Arizona Wildcats (7-5) 38-27, placing Indiana in the National Championship Game.
"I'm very proud of the way our kids handled this situation," said coach Anthony Thompson. "After having played a terrible first half, we came back and managed to beat the Wildcats by 11 points. I'm surprised that we managed to play as well as we did. With all the attention drawn to our team because of our chance for a National Title, our players were definitely out-of-focus. But we pulled it together at the right time and hung on to win the game."
The win gives Indiana not only a change to win the National Championship, but a chance to face the #1 Boise State Broncos again. The significance of this? Boise State handed the Hoosiers their only loss of the season, a 33-27 overtime thriller in Boise, Idaho. "My goal since our loss to the Broncos was to have one more shot at them," said star linebacker Tim Alexander. "They ruined our chance at a perfect season. They ruined our dreams of becoming the greatest Indiana team in history. Now it's our turn to ruin their run at history."
I'm going to be honest with you; Indiana should not have won this game. The only reason they won was a few strokes of luck throughout the game. If luck had been neutral (or with the Wildcats), Indiana would have lost by 3 or 3 touchdowns.
The luck started early in the second quarter. The Hoosiers found themselves down 13-3 to the underachieving Wildcats, and getting themselves into a 3rd-and-23 was not exactly the greatest move. But there they were, 32 yards from the end zone and 23 yards from a first-down. Jammone Chester took the snap, rolled out of the pocket, and facing heavy pressure, hurled the ball deep into the end zone. It was a blind throw; he would state later that he had no idea where the ball was going to go. In fact, it looked as if the pass was going to be intercepted; there were two Arizona defenders right in front of Damarlo Belcher (the intended receiver). That's when God took the game into his own hands. The ball sailed right between the Wildcat defender's hands--when I say right through, I mean RIGHT THROUGH. The game glitched and the ball sailed through the defender's body--and into the awaiting arms of Belcher. This catch made the score 13-10 and put some life into the apparently-dead Hoosiers team.
Indiana's luck revived itself later in the game. The Hoosiers were down 27-24 with 5 seconds left in the 3rd quarter, and the last thing they wanted to do was give Arizona the ball back. However, three straight dropped passes by the Indiana receivers forced Chris Hagerup to punt the ball away. Then the luck came back. The returner muffed the punt, and Tim Alexander recovered the loose ball, returning it all the way for the go-ahead touchdown.
Indiana got the ball back with two minutes and 38 seconds left, and all they had to do was run out the clock. But yet again, some outside force decided to make the game exciting. Indiana was called for two holding penalties and an intentional grounding call on their first 3 plays, and facing a 3rd and 41 on their own 2-yard line, they had no choice but to pass the ball. The pass was intercepted, but for some unknown reason the corner back (who wished to remain anonymous) was hit and fumbled the ball during his INT return. Beau Walker, who had subbed in for Michael Jordan at wide receiver, recovered the loose ball and returned it all the way for the game-ending touchdown. "It was the greatest play of my life," he would say after the game.
Indiana would officially end the game with a Donnell Jones interception as time expired.
Indiana will be rewarded for their fantastic effort today with at least 3 or 4 weeks off from football. Then, they will have to face Boise State in the most-anticipated game of the season: the BCS National Championship Game. Get psyched, folks, because it's going to be intense.
Originally posted by Miggyfan99Comment
-
Fuck guys, sorry, no update until tomorrow.
Originally posted by Miggyfan99Comment
-
Originally posted by Miggyfan99Comment
-
I played the BCSNC already, and it was the most fucking intense game of my life. It was rated the #1 ESPN Classic in my game with some ridiculous amount of points.Originally posted by ghstrdr57
Originally posted by Miggyfan99Comment
-
Originally posted by Miggyfan99Comment
-
Indiana in the National Championship? :waitwhat:
Hopefully you won.sig is too big, resize itComment
-
Indiana Heads Into Final Week of Regular Season
Bloomington, IN - It's that time of year, folks. It's the post-season. Well...not quite. In three days, it will be the post season. The national award winners are being announced in two days (Sunday), and the participants in the bowl games will be announced later that week. And while fans may be getting distracted with all the national news floating about, there are plenty of things going on in B-town, which should keep fans interested in the local happenings.
Indiana landed two more commitments in the final week of recruiting. John Goolsby, a 6-4, 185 pound athlete who can play any position, will be a great contributor for the Hoosiers at any position. He could be on defense, offense, special teams, or write shit down on a clipboard. He'll be a huge asset no matter what. The other recruit was Justin Brown, a powerful linebacker who will be a bigger asset to the Hoosiers if he moves to one of the other linebacker positions. Indiana is loaded at the Middle Linebacker spot, and Brown playing one of the outside positions will be better for the whole team.
There are a couple of Hoosiers competing for national awards, which is a surprise considering that this year was supposed to be a rebuilding year with the loss of many key players from the previous season. Deleon Eskridge, the transfer from Minnesota playing in his first season as a starter, ran for over 1300 yards and 18 touchdowns, and is currently second in the running for the Doak Walker award. Damarlo Belcher is having a down year but is still listed as the 4th best receiver in the nation. Tim Alexander, Indiana's undisputed star player, is placed 1st in both the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Dick Butkus award. He is expected to sweep the defensive awards, the first Indiana player to do so. Chris Hagerup, who has punted a total of 27 times this year, is a surprise candidate for the Ray Guy award (he's 12th in the running, so he won't be a serious candidate). And bringing up the rear is Mitch Ewald, the clear frontrunner for the Lou Groza Award (if he wins the award, it will be his second straight year winning it).
In just a few days, Indiana fans will find out Indiana's All-Americans, their bowl game, and their award winners. This should be an exciting weekend.
Originally posted by Miggyfan99Comment
-
#1 chise on VSN per the Chise Championship Rankings
Comment
-
Good luck in the National Championship, a well deserved place for what you have done to these Hooisers in such a short amount of time.
Comment
-
good luck against my broncos bro. When i say good luck, I really mean I hope you lose...by a lot. Grats on being the #1 chise.Comment
-
:acid:
Holy shit. Thanks to my followers.
Thanks man. It was a really intense game, I can't wait to update it.
:hahaha:Originally posted by MenOfSteel
But seriously, they are really intense. It was the most intense-filled game I've ever played. Thanks for checking in.
I think Boise State will be the one with the needed luck. :D. Thanks man. I'm glad I was even mentioned on the list, but to be #1 is amazing.
:hitler
Update tonight
Originally posted by Miggyfan99Comment
-
good luck in the NC
Comment
-
Comment