Indiana’s dream season under first-year coach Curt Cignetti came to a close on Friday night. The 10th-seeded Hoosiers were defeated 27-17 by No. 7 seed Notre Dame in the first-ever on-campus College Football Playoff game. Despite their valiant efforts, Indiana faced challenges that ultimately tipped the scales in Notre Dame’s favour.
Key Moments from the Game
While the Hoosiers made some costly errors, such as an interception at the 2-yard line leading to a stunning 98-yard touchdown by Jeremiyah Love, the loss primarily reflected Notre Dame’s superior performance and depth.
However, one decision in the fourth quarter drew significant attention and left fans and commentators puzzled.
The Fourth-Quarter Punt
Facing a fourth-and-11 at Notre Dame’s 48-yard line with 10:34 remaining and trailing 20-3, Cignetti opted to punt the ball instead of going for it. This decision sparked debate, particularly among ESPN commentators Sean McDonough and Greg McElroy, who expressed confusion during the live broadcast.
Speaking after the game, Cignetti explained his rationale:
“I didn’t want to punt. But we were doing nothing on offense. And our defense was fighting. That was the only positive, really, that I could draw, was that our defense was still fighting,” Cignetti said. “Because offense was doing nothing. And I didn’t want to go fourth-and-10, because you’re just wishing and hoping: You have nothing to base it on that you can convert fourth-and-10 at that point.”
Did the Decision Pay Off?
Cignetti believed there was still enough time to mount a comeback with a strong defensive stand. Unfortunately for Indiana, Notre Dame capitalised on the punt, using the ensuing possession to extend their lead to 27-3 while consuming 5:44 of game clock.
Although the Hoosiers managed to score two touchdowns in the final 4:32, these efforts were insufficient to close the gap.
A Tough Night for Indiana’s Offense
The Hoosiers’ offensive struggles were apparent throughout the game:
Total Yards: 278
First Downs: 17
Third-Down Conversions: 4-of-12
Fourth-Down Conversions: 1-for-1 (achieved on a fourth-and-1 with 47 seconds left)
Despite flashes of promise late in the game, Indiana’s inability to sustain drives earlier proved costly.
Lessons for the Future
Indiana’s loss marks the end of a memorable season but also serves as a learning experience for Cignetti and his team. While the decision to punt may remain controversial, it underscores the challenges of managing high-stakes moments in competitive sports.
References
“Notre Dame reaches College Football Playoff quarterfinals after cruising past Indiana.” Indianapolis Star.
“Indiana’s loss to Notre Dame was College Football Playoff mistake that can’t happen again.” USA Today.