IU led Ohio State 20-14 midway through the third quarter, but couldn’t hold onto that lead in a 42-27 loss at Ohio Stadium on Saturday.
The Buckeyes got out to a quick 14-0 lead with scores on their opening two drives. On the third play from scrimmage, Ezekiel Elliott went 65 yards untouched for a touchdown.
After an IU 3-and-out on its first offensive possession, Ohio State drove 65 yards in nine plays, ending in a 4-yard touchdown pass from freshman quarterback J.T. Barrett to Jeff Heuerman.
On the ensuing IU drive, a Zander Diamont scramble turned into a 53-yard run down to the Buckeye 2-yard line. Tevin Coleman scored from there to put IU on the board and make the score 14-7.
The IU defense then forced three turnovers on back-to-back-to-back Ohio State possessions.
Flo Hardin stripped the ball after a Barrett completion to Michael Thomas. The play turned into an IU field goal, to pull the Hoosiers within four.
Antonio Allen had two interceptions in the half. The second led to another IU field goal, Griffin Oakes’ tenth of the season.
In the second half, the Hoosiers struck first on a 90-yard touchdown run by Tevin Coleman. After the extra point, the Hoosiers had their first lead of the game, 20-14.
It was Coleman’s second score of the game. The junior running back is now the all-time single-season rushing leader at IU with 1,906 yards.
It was also the second-longest touchdown in program history.
But the Buckeyes responded with scores on back-to-back possessions.
Jalin Marshall returned an Erich Toth punt 54 yards to put Ohio State ahead 21-20. Then, it was Marshall again on a 6-yard touchdown reception from freshman quarterback J.T. Barrett.
With less than five minutes remaining, Diamont was intercepted by Tyvis Powell. One play later, Marshall scored his third touchdown of the day, a 15-yard pass.
Then, Marshall scored his fourth-consecutive score for Ohio State on a 54-yard reception. The Buckeyes led 42-20.
Coleman scored his third touchdown of the game on a 52-yard run. He had 228 yards rushing on 27 carries.
But the game was out of reach and the Hoosiers dropped to 0-7 in conference play, 3-8 overall.
Barrett finished 25-of-35 passing for 302 yards and four touchdowns. Diamont was 11-of-27 for 114 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.
Grace Palmieri
