Despite being three-touchdown favorites, the Hoosiers found themselves battling the Northwestern Wildcats to the very end, eking out a 29-23 win at home.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.
This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.Coming into Friday night's game, the Hoosiers — despite getting off to a 3-0 start on the heels of a title — had dealt with one big criticism dogging them this season.Slow starts.CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGEAn early exit for running back Turbo Richard did not help Indiana in what proved to be a tough one against Northwestern.(Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Head coach Curt Cignetti had to field questions about his team's play early in games against easier opponents.So, there was a lot of focus on whether or not that trend would continue as the Big Ten schedule got underway against the Wildcats.Well, the answer was...
kind of?The Hoosiers opened the game with a 15-play, 67-yard drive that ate up around half of the opening quarter.However, the slow-start bug showed up again when a drive that should’ve ended with points on the board was instead capped by a huge defensive play from Northwestern.The Indiana defense managed to bail out the boys on the other side of the ball when Northwestern QB Aidan Chiles fumbled a snap before getting brought down in his own end zone for a safety.The Hoosiers battled through an unusual first half with an offense that looked a little disjointed at times and more penalties than you typically see out of them.ZERO BS.JUST DAKICH.
TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD.DOWNLOAD NOW!Worse, they suffered a big blow later in the half when running back Turbo Richard was hit late after going out of bounds and went straight to the locker room.There was no call on the play, which made a call against Indiana on a similar play moments later v...