COLLEGE PARK, Md. — In a game that IU head coach Tom Allen deemed as a “benchmark” for his team, the Hoosiers recorded an all-important 5th win of the season at Maryland, 34-28. QB Michael Penix suffered an injury early in the ballgame, and did not return after the 13:21 mark of the 2nd quarter. Peyton Ramsey filled in ably and, while it looked less exciting, he guided the Hoosiers to a crucial win.
First Half
Penix started the game hot, spreading the ball to five receivers. He completed 6 of his first 8 passes, and he punctuated his first drive with a gorgeous TD to Donavan Hale. In the first stanza, Penix took multiple hits, and TV cameras caught him favoring his shoulder at the end of the period.
After an interception by Antoine Brooks, Jr. that thwarted a potential scoring drive, Allen pulled Penix from the game and inserted Ramsey.
IU had a number of defensive issues throughout the first half. After Penix’s TD to Hale, Maryland rebounded instantly, tying the game on an 8-play, 75-yard drive. The Terrapins tallied 239 total yards in the first half, and averaged a robust 8.0 yards per play. Penalties plagued IU throughout the first quarter, as the Hoosiers had five, costing them 60 yards. IU ended up with 11 on the game.
Ramsey took over for Indiana and while the deep passes came far less frequently, he still put up fairly healthy numbers against a Big Ten defense. He threw a touchdown to Nick Westbrook before halftime, as the senior WR made a highlight-reel catch down the sideline to secure the six. Ramsey finished with a line of 20-27, for 193 yards, a TD, which resulted in a QB rating of 146.3.
Second Half
After halftime, IU emphasized running the football more than they did in the first half. Stevie Scott, who did not have even 50 yards at halftime, finished with 108 on the game, and 2 TD.
