Cincinnati 45, IU football 24: How it Happened
The Indiana Hoosiers visited Nippert Stadium unbeaten, but not unblemished. Close calls against Idaho and Western Kentucky had IU fans looking at 3-0 with a skeptical glance.
Well, that 3-0 is now 3-1 after Cincinnati built a big first-half lead and coasted to a 45-24 win over Indiana on Saturday.
Doyel: Something is wrong with this IU football program. And heart can only hide so much.
3 reasons IU lost to Cincinnati:First-half hole too big to dig out of
Here's how it happened.
FINAL: Cincinnati 45, IU 24
Connor Bazelak throws another interception and that'll do it.
1:20 4Q: Cincinnati 45, IU 24
After Connor Bazelak is sacked inside his own 5-yard line on fourth down, Cincinnati takes over deep in Hoosiers territory and after three tries punches it into the end zone.
4:22 4Q: Cincinnati 38, IU 24
TURNOVER ON DOWNS. Connor Bazelak is rushed and throws it away... on fourth down.
10:31 4Q: Cincinnati 38, IU 24
IU goes backwards and has to punt from its own end zone. Bearcats ball near midfield.
11:21 4Q: Cincinnati 38, IU 24
Do you start believing?
IU forces another punt. IU has outgained Cincinnati 161-61 in the second half.
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) September 24, 2022
14:01 4Q: Cincinnati 38, IU 24
TOUCHDOWN. Shaun Shivers takes the handoff and goes 47 yards for a house call. Hoosiers have life.
Indiana was down 38-10 at the half. Now it's 38-24. I'm not sure what to think other than this season continues to be absolutely absurd. #iufb
— Tyler Tachman (@Tyler_T15) September 24, 2022
END OF 3Q: Cincinnati 38, IU 17
The Hoosiers won the third quarter. If you're so inclined for silver linings.
0:58 3Q: Cincinnati 38, IU 17
TURNOVER ON DOWNS. IU's 15-play drive comes up short on 4th-and-goal from the 5-yard line and that's an opportunity missed for Hoosiers' comeback hopes.
2:39 3Q: Cincinnati 38, IU 17
Still here. Defenses have tightened up and it's been a punting exhibition. But Hoosiers are driving now courtesy of two pass interference calls.
10:23 3Q: Cincinnati 38, IU 17
TOUCHDOWN. Connor Bazelak hits Shaun Shivers open in the flat for a walk-in touchdown from 2 yards out. Hoosiers turn the turnover into points. Will need a few more of those but better start to the second half.
13:25 3Q: Cincinnati 38, IU 10
INTERCEPTION. A high pass is tipped and picked off by Tiawan Mullen on the opening drive of the second half. IU needed that. What can they do with it?
Halftime: Cincinnati 38, IU 10
Go mow the lawn.
Indiana's flaws were brutally exposed in the first half. What could get by in the first three games of the season hasn't today. Cincinnati is probably a good team but Indiana is making it look like world-beaters. #iufb
— Tyler Tachman (@Tyler_T15) September 24, 2022
0:22 2Q: Cincinnati 38, IU 10
TOUCHDOWN. And get it's even worse. Connor Bazelak strip-sacked on next play from scrimmage and Cincinnati's Dominique Perry scoops and scores it. This game is over.
0:32 2Q: Cincinnati 31, IU 10
TOUCHDOWN. It's an absolute nightmare for IU. Hoosiers trying to get to halftime without allowing any more damage, and Ben Bryant marches the Bearcats down the field and scores with ease. Bryant completes his fourth TD pass (third to Tyler Scott) with 0:32 seconds left. An absolute back-breaker.
Bryant has completed 17-of-21 passes for 314 yards and four touchdowns. He has as many TD passes as incompletions. Woof.
2:51 2Q: Cincinnati 24, IU 10
IU was going for it on 4th-and-1 just inside midfield but commit a false start coming out of a timeout and decide to punt it away after the penalty. Put in a pin in that one.
Indiana's about to false start its way out of doing something weird. Hoosiers will punt. Not sure the magic's gonna get 'em over the line today, folks. #iufb
— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) September 24, 2022
4:33 2Q: Cincinnati 24, IU 10
TOUCHDOWN. Tyler Scott catches his second touchdown of the day, this time from 34 yards as Ben Bryant continues to carve up the IU defense. Bryant is 13-of-16 for 228 yards and three touchdowns so far.
Tiawan Mullen got his arms around him a little early too and Scott still got his hands on it. Really impressive. Hoosiers having big problems defending the deep ball today.
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) September 24, 2022
8:06 1Q: Cincinnati 17, IU 10
TOUCHDOWN. A big moment for Connor Bazelak and the Hoosiers there. Bazelak completes a 3rd-and-long pass to Cam Camper, and then IU quick-tempos and Bazelak hits Josh Henderson, who goes down the sideline untouched for 19 yards and a touchdown.
Bazelak took a big shot on the completion to Camper, so that may be something to monitor.
Touchdown Indiana. Gorgeous back-shoulder throw from Bazelak to Camper -- against pressure -- converted 3rd and long, then IU caught Cincinnati way out of alignment for an easy six to Josh Henderson. #iufb
— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) September 24, 2022
9:11 1Q: Cincinnati 17, IU 3
A worrying moment for IU after forcing the Bearcats to punt. Returner D.J. Matthews, who missed most of last season with a torn ACL, goes down after a short punt return. Matthews is a key part of the Hoosiers offense working the slot.
D.J. Matthews is down injured. But he's up quickly and back to the sideline. Hearts in throats moment for Indiana there. #iufb
— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) September 24, 2022
12:36 2Q: Cincinnati 17, IU 3
TOUCHDOWN. This drive was brought to you be Tre Tucker. The Bearcats receiver caught a 45-yard post route, then a 14-yarder to put Cincinnati inside the 10-yard line and finished the drive with a 5-yard score on 3rd-and-goal. Cincy QB Ben Bryant is 7-of-9 for 156 yards and two TDs.
It's snow-balling for the Hoosiers right now.
Touchdown Cincinnati. IU held until third down but a nice little under route finally got the Bearcats in the end zone. Getting late early for the Hoosiers. #iufb
— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) September 24, 2022
End of 1Q: Cincinnati 10, IU 3
Hoosiers are about to punt from their own 5-yard line after a big Bearcats sack on third down.
End of the first quarter. Cincinnati up 10-3. Cincinnati 104 total yards to IU's 100. Ben Bryant 4 of 5 for 92 yards including the 75-yard touchdown to Scott. Bazelak 9 of 16 for 67 yards and the INT. IU 16 rush yards to Cincy's 12.
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) September 24, 2022
1:00 1Q: Cincinnati 10, IU 3
The Bearcats waste no time getting back in front. On the first play of the drive, Ben Bryant goes deep to Tyler Scott for a 75-yard touchdown. A breakdown in coverage and it's just too easy.
1:15 1Q: IU 3, Cincinnati 3
FIELD GOAL. Indiana responds with a sustained drive (16 plays) that ends with a Charles Campbell 27-yard field goal.
Give Josh Henderson some kudos after three strong runs on 3rd-and-shorts to extend the drive and Connor Bazelak had some nice completions, including a few to Cam Camper.
Charles Campbell ties it from 27 yards out. 3-3. Pretty strong drive there by IU. Actually got some good push running the football.
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) September 24, 2022
6:00 1Q: Cincinnati 3, IU 0
FIELD GOAL. Big-time back-to-back open-field tackles by Tiawan Mullen and Devon Matthews limit the damage to three points. Hoosiers' veteran DBs came up huge there. Bearcats' Ryan Coe 24-yard field goal is good.
That’s an impressive response by Indiana’s defense with its back against the wall. #iufb
— Tyler Tachman (@Tyler_T15) September 24, 2022
IU throws the bad pick, Cincinnati kicks a FG for a 3-0 lead, but it feels like the momentum just shifted toward the Hoosiers. Two huge 1-on-1 tackles by Mullen, Matthews.
— Gregg Doyel (@GreggDoyelStar) September 24, 2022
INTERCEPTION, CINCINNATI
Connor Bazelak sails one over the middle on third down and it's picked off by a Bearcats safety and returned inside the Hoosiers' 10-yard line.
8:38 1Q: IU 0, Cincinnati 0
Little Matt Hohlt spot on Cincinnati's first drive. Appeared to be a response to two-TE sets. Bearcats flip the field but eventually punt. #iufb
— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) September 24, 2022
11:54 1Q, IU 0, Cincinnati 0
Hoosiers picked up a few first downs on its opening drive, but stall once they cross midfield after back-to-back negative plays. Punt downed inside the 10.
IU starting center Zach Carpenter is out
That means Caleb Murphy will get the start for the second week in a row for the Hoosiers.
IU's men's basketball team is in the football spirit.
Since there’s football today, here’s a little something via Miller Kopp’s TikTok. #iubb pic.twitter.com/NpMLAReOMh
— Tyler Tachman (@Tyler_T15) September 24, 2022
Some pregame reading for you:
Get to know the QB:How Connor Bazelak's catchable passes and even-keeled vibe have IU 3-0.
Indiana vs. Cincinnati: What I'm watching as Hoosiers hit the road with revenge in mind
Wearing 44: Why IU's Aaron Casey was chosen to honor legacy of George Taliaferro
What time is kickoff for IU vs. Cincinnati?
The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m.
What TV channel is IU vs. Cincinnati on?
The game is on ESPN2.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IU football vs. Cincinnati score: Ben Bryant leads Bearcats by Hoosiers