The Indiana Hoosiers have provided one of the greatest stories in college sports history with their rise from the bottom of the college football world to the undefeated national championship won a year ago. Going into Saturday's home game against Ohio State, head coach Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers had won 22 games in a row and 19 consecutive at home.
They had a major battle against the Buckeyes, and after Jeremiah Smith scored an early fourth-quarter touchdown on a pass from QB Julian Sayin, it looked like Ohio State's 19-7 lead would be enough.
However, Josh Hoover drove the Hoosiers 75 yards on 7 plays and paid the drive off with a 19-yard TD pass to Nick Marsh to close the score to 19-14.
The Hoosiers would get the ball back with 3:06 remaining Hoover drove the Hoosiers down the field to the Ohio State 27. On a 4th-and-4 play, Hoover threw what looked like a perfect pass to Marsh for what would have been a go-ahead TD pass. Marsh gathered the pass with little trouble, but he was unable to get his left foot down inbounds. That gave the ball to the Buckeyes and they were able to run out the clock.
Article Continues BelowMarsh should have been able to get his foot down, and he put both his hands on his head because he could not believe the impact of his mistake.
In addition to Marsh, Indiana PK Nico Radicic missed a 32-yard FG attempt in the second quarter. If he had made that kick, the Hoosiers could have won the game with a field goal in the final seconds. Marsh would not have had to get into the end zone for the win.