Whereas Indiana dined on roasted Duck in Friday’s Peach Bowl, a few of us had been left consuming crow.
It’s a dish with which I’ve develop into well-acquainted by means of this faculty soccer season, watching the Hoosiers not simply win every of the 15 occasions they’ve taken the sector, however repeatedly dominate.
Given Indiana was tabbed sixth within the preseason Large Ten Convention media ballot, at the least I do know I’m not consuming alone.
Having skepticism in regards to the Hoosiers forward of the season could possibly be justified. Sure, Indiana made the School Soccer Playoff area in 2024, however did so with a resume bereft of marquee wins.
The Hoosiers performed a remarkably comfortable schedule in 2024 and when confronted with elite competitors — particularly, nationwide champion Ohio State and runner-up Notre Dame — had been totally outclassed. One might validate their doubt of Indiana then, however there’s no doubting the Hoosiers now.
Their 56-22 trouncing of Oregon in Atlanta offers Indiana wins over its Large Ten counterpart on each coasts, with the Hoosiers profitable in Eugene on Oct. 11, 30-20. The 2 defeats of the Geese make up 40 % of Indiana’s spectacular 5 wins over groups ranked within the closing Playoff ballot earlier than the preseason and third in a row following the 13-10 Large Ten Championship grind in opposition to Ohio State and 38-3 depantsing of Alabama within the Rose Bowl.
In hindsight, the primary of Indiana’s High 25 wins foreshadowed what was to return for this workforce. Coming off a 63-10 decimation of Illinois the week prior, when the Illini had been really ranked within the AP Ballot, the Hoosiers bumped into proverbial quicksand at Iowa.
The Hawkeyes bodily protection gave Indiana suits and despatched the groups into the fourth quarter with Iowa forward, 13-10. The Hoosiers capacity to soak up the physique blows the Hawkeyes dealt mirrored the tough-as-leather aura head coach Curt Cignetti offers off in his basic demeanor, and quarterback Fernando Mendoza delivered his early-season Heisman second.
His 49-yard landing reference to Elijah Sarratt broke a 13-13 stalemate within the closing 90 seconds and preserved Indiana’s excellent begin. That was in September, lower than halfway into the schedule, and opponents have solely performed Indiana to inside a single-digit margin twice since.
Add the Peach Bowl to that checklist of eight video games and counting, which additionally doubled as an after-the-fact Heisman second for Mendoza.
He obtained the award nearly a month in the past, however validated his choice with a sensational efficiency in opposition to Oregon, throwing extra touchdowns (5) than incompletions (three). Mendoza utterly wiped away any lingering doubt which will have been left from when he completed 20-of-31 and threw a pick-six in Eugene.
Mendoza’s play the second time round in opposition to Oregon lends credence to how linebacker Aiden Fisher described the Peach Bowl on Wednesday: A revenge recreation.
“We did not play effectively in our first recreation in opposition to them,” Fisher instructed reporter. “I do know lots of people put it out as it is a revenge recreation for Oregon…nevertheless it’s a revenge recreation for us, too.”
Fisher, who had a team-high 9 tackles with 1.5 for loss and a cross deflection on Friday, added: “My message to the workforce is simply depart little doubt.”
The identical message might be utilized to Indiana’s total season. With another recreation to go in opposition to Miami — an unlikely underdog attempting to develop into the School Soccer Playoff’s model of March Insanity’ 1985 Villanova Wildcats — the Hoosiers are 4 quarters away from being traditionally simple.
I recommend anybody who questioned Indiana at any juncture this season have a tall drink available to clean down one final serving of crow.
