Indiana football donned its new black uniform set Saturday for the second time in program history and defeated the University of Akron 29-27 in the process. The Hoosiers were thumped by the University of Kentucky in 1997 while wearing black jerseys, but now stand at 1-1 in all-black.
After questionable play calling in its disappointing loss to the University of Louisville a week ago, Indiana narrowly escaped Saturday night with an overtime win. While the Hoosiers may have won, the Zips outgained Indiana 474 to 282 in yards.
FIRST QUARTER
Indiana received the opening kick but struggled in the opening quarter with a pair of punts alongside a turnover on downs. Akron struggled in its pair of series in the first, with a punt and a drive ending with Indiana sophomore safety Phillip Dunham intercepting the Zips.
SECOND QUARTER
Sixth-year senior running back Christian Turner opened the scoring five minutes into the second quarter with a six-yard touchdown run.
Senior safety Louis Moore intercepted Akron redshirt senior quarterback DJ Irons, running the ball to the Zips’ four-yard line. The Hoosiers were unable to convert on fourth and goal at the one-yard line for the second consecutive game, turning the ball over on downs.
Akron tacked on a 25-yard field goal at the end of the half as the Hoosiers went into the locker room with a 7-3 lead.
THIRD QUARTER
The Zips responded out of the break with Irons’ 14-yard touchdown scamper to take a 10-7 lead. Akron promptly converted an onside kick, gaining another possession following the touchdown, but finished the drive with a turnover on downs.
Akron redshirt senior quarterback Jeff Undercuffler Jr. entered the game for the Zips. On his second pass attempt of the game, his throw was picked off by Moore and returned for a touchdown to give Indiana a 14-10 lead.
FOURTH QUARTER
Redshirt sophomore kicker Chris Freeman tacked on a 19-yard field goal after the Hoosiers failed to convert a 3rd and goal at the one-yard line.
A 71-yard touchdown run from Akron redshirt senior running back Lorenzo Lingard tied the game at 17 with just over three minutes remaining.
Indiana promptly went three-and-out, giving the ball back to the Zips with just under a minute and a half left in the game.
The Zips had an opportunity to drill a game-winning field goal with time expiring, but the kick sailed wide left.
OVERTIME
Akron opened overtime with a 10-yard touchdown rush from Irons to take a 24-17 lead. Indiana redshirt freshman quarterback found senior wide receiver Cam Camper for a 12-yard touchdown to knot the game at 24.
A pair of field goals from each team tied the game at 27 in the second overtime. Fifth-year senior wide receiver DeQuece Carter converted Indiana’s two-point attempt to give the Hoosiers a 29-27 lead. Indiana’s defense held firm on Akron’s game-tying two-point attempt, sealing its second win of the season.
