IU football's ugly loss to Penn State a low point of a season sinking deeper by the day

Tyler Tachman
·3 min read
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BLOOMINGTON — IU has sunk far since the end of the 2020 season. That was already clear. Saturday was just more evidence. On Saturday, the Hoosiers lost to Penn State, 45-14.

A two-win 2021 season has developed into a nightmare 2022 season. IU has lost six in a row this season. Here are three reasons the Hoosiers lost to Penn State:

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Quarterback troubles

Connor Bazelak, who started IU’s first eight games this season, was out Saturday. That put Jack Tuttle in place to start. Tuttle showed flashes of promise, especially with his ability to run the football. But in the second quarter, he went down with an injury after taking a big hit.

That put true freshman Brendan Sorsby into action, making it his college debut. Part of the 2022 high school class, Sorsby was ranked as the No. 66 quarterback nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite. But Sorsby struggled mightily, though he wasn't helped much by IU’s offensive line.

During the third quarter, Dexter Williams II entered the game. Williams redshirted the 2020 season. In early 2021, he tore his ACL and didn’t see game action during the 2021 season. On Saturday, Williams showed moments of promise but threw two interceptions.

IU’s issues are not limited to its quarterback, but it is certainly a glaring problem. IU endured a quarterback carousel last season, having to throw then-true freshman Donaven McCulley into action. Saturday was somewhat of a similar situation and didn't help IU's already struggling offense.

Indiana's Jack Tuttle (14) is sacked by Penn State's Dvon Ellies (91) during the first half of the Indiana versus Penn State football game at Memorial Stadium on Satruday, Nov. 5, 2022.
Indiana's Jack Tuttle (14) is sacked by Penn State's Dvon Ellies (91) during the first half of the Indiana versus Penn State football game at Memorial Stadium on Satruday, Nov. 5, 2022.

Offensive line struggles

Among IU’s many issues is the offensive line, which has been a consistent problem the past two seasons. The offensive line shortcomings sent a ripple effect across the offense. IU was sacked six times. IU’s leading rusher was Josh Henderson with 44 yards.

As it has been for most of this season, there were fleeting moments when IU’s offense was hitting on all cylinders.

It’s a continuation of IU’s offensive struggles last season. Changes have been made, but the results have been similar. Since the end of last season, IU has made changes both coaching-wise and roster-wise. But it remains that IU’s offense has largely been terrible.

IU looked deflated, unable to respond to adversity

Indiana’s woeful season has continued. After starting the 2022 campaign with three consecutive wins, the Hoosiers have now lost six in a row. When adversity has hit, IU has largely been unable to respond. Saturday was the latest iteration of that, the game spiraling out of control with the Hoosiers giving little resistance. It was uninspiring.

Since the end of the 2020 season, a campaign in which the Hoosiers burst onto the national scene, IU has plummeted downward. Injuries, inconsistent quarterbacking and offensive line struggles have been among the reasons for IU’s incompetence.

It’s not only that the Hoosiers are losing, but the way in which they are losing. It has just been bad football. The Hoosiers have beaten just one Power 5 conference team since the end of the 2020 season.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 3 reasons why Indiana football was embarrassed by Penn State