Indiana Keeps Football Season Alive With 20-14 Win Over Wisconsin

Some teams would have given up at this point in the season, but coach Tom Allen and the Hoosiers showed in their 20-14 upset win over Wisconsin on Saturday that there's still something to play for.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – After several close-but-no-cigar losses over the last three seasons, Indiana finally finished a game strong. And it came at just the right time.

The Hoosiers defeated Wisconsin 20-14 Saturday at Memorial Stadium behind a gutsy defensive performance, crucial conversions from redshirt freshman quarterback Brendan Sorsby, a spectacular catch from Donaven McCulley, and a never-quit attitude brought on by coach Tom Allen.

Indiana moved to 3-6 on the season, still a disappointing record. But momentum is a valuable thing in college sports, and the Hoosiers seem to have it as they look toward three winnable games with teams that also have losing records.

Indiana wasn’t perfect Saturday, but it did what it took to win against Wisconsin, which entered the game as 9.5 point favorites just one win away from bowl eligibility. That was especially true for Sorsby, who entered the game listed as questionable after hurting his shoulder last week at Penn State. Sorsby said he wasn’t able to practice a ton this week because it hurt to throw, so he was mostly taking mental reps. He said he felt comfortable on the field Saturday, and his progression as Indiana’s starter continued.

Sorsby finished the game completing 19-of-31 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown, including six third-down passing conversions. And perhaps most importantly, he didn’t turn the ball over.

“I’m sore, but who cares,” Sorsby said. “The win makes it a lot better.”

Sorsby gave Indiana an early 7-0 lead with an eight-yard touchdown run, faking a handoff up the middle, then beating the Wisconsin defense to the pylon. Wisconsin trimmed the lead with a 54-yard touchdown reception from Bryson Green, who accounted for nearly half of the Badgers’ first-half yards on that play alone.

Then with the clock winding down in the first half, Sorsby put the ball in the end zone where only Donaven McCulley could reach it. McCulley extended his 6-foot-5 frame, controlled the ball enough with one hand, then hauled it in with both.

Allen said postgame that the quarterback-turned-receiver McCulley should always have a mindset that no one can defend him, due to his height and athleticism. And that’s just what McCulley did, though the acrobatic play surprised even him.

“I see the ball in my hand,” McCulley said. “And I was like, ‘Whoa, I caught this.’”

Indiana's Donaven McCulley (1) during the first half of the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 :: Rich Janzaruk/ Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

McCulley’s touchdown gave Indiana a 17-7 lead heading into halftime. Aside from its 10-0 lead earlier in the game, the only time Indiana has led by 10-plus points prior to Saturday’s game was Week 2 against Indiana State, an FCS opponent.

Sorsby and the offense hit a rough patch in the second half, resulting in three consecutive three-and-out possessions. The run game didn’t work for most of the day, and Sorsby said Wisconsin switched up some coverages in the second half. It felt all too similar to the second-half collapses that Indiana has suffered in countless losses throughout the last three years.

The Hoosiers’ defense continued to give its offense chance after chance to seal the game, and like Indiana as a whole, Sorsby stuck with it. After a fourth-down stop, Indiana took over possession with 4:07 left in the game, leading by three.

Sorsby saved his longest run for the most important drive, picking up a gritty 13 yards on first down. He completed a pass over the middle to McCulley for 11 yards on the next play, and a Wisconsin pass interference penalty put the Hoosiers in field goal range.

Indiana kicker Chris Freeman knocked a 50-yard field goal through the uprights, putting Wisconsin in a position where it needed a touchdown to win the game. Led by redshirt freshman quarterback Braedyn Locke, Wisconsin regained possession with 1:10 on the clock and no timeouts.

The play that essentially sealed the game came from the heart and soul of Indiana’s defense, Aaron Casey. As the clock ticked below 30 seconds, he stood patiently behind the defensive line for a second, let the blocks develop, then jumped at his chance. As the Wisconsin guard went to double-team Andre Carter in the middle, Casey shot through the gap and drove Locke into the turf.

Though Wisconsin had a few last-gasp plays remaining, that sack was the dagger. Allen gave Casey the game ball after the win for his “special” performance – a team-high nine tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble. And for a senior who has endured so much adversity throughout the last three seasons, this win was sweet.

“It feels great,” Casey said. “All week we’ve had a sense of urgency. Coming out to practice and meetings we just had a different energy level, and it was able to show out there on the field.”

Indiana's Aaron Casey (44) celebrates during the second half of the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 :: Rich Janzaruk / Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

After nearly upsetting No. 10 Penn State on the road last week, Allen said that Indiana entered “playoff mode,” meaning that it had to go 4-0 to reach bowl eligibility. Plenty of fans took shots at the coach for saying such a thing at 2-6. But after their first win since Sept. 23 on Saturday, the remaining schedule gives Indiana a real path toward this goal.

Next week, Indiana travels to Illinois, which held a 3-5 record at the time of Indiana’s win, followed by a home game against 3-6 Michigan State. Becoming bowl eligible could ultimately come down to a road trip to Purdue, currently 2-6, on Thanksgiving weekend.

It may not happen. But one thing that can’t be questioned is the Hoosiers’ belief in themselves. That was clear last week and again on Saturday. Some teams would have given up at this point, but Allen hasn’t seen that.

“I just attribute it to our culture, I really do,” Allen said. “Our kids believe in what we're doing. They care about each other. It's way bigger than just a guy out there making plays for himself. They believe in what we're doing.”

Indiana Head Coach Tom Allen celebrates the Hoosiers victory after the second half of the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 :: Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

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• WHAT ALLEN SAID: Here's everything Indiana coach Tom Allen said following the Hoosiers' upset win over Wisconsin Saturday at Memorial Stadium. CLICK HERE
• LIVE BLOG: We'll keep you updated with all the news and views in real time, with opinion and highlights thrown in as well, live from Memorial Stadium for Saturday's Indiana versus Wisconsin football game. CLICK HERE