The Indiana Hoosiers were given just about all they could handle by the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday. Indiana played a sloppy game they probably should have lost, but clutch receptions from wide receiver Charlie Becker and the leg of Paddy McAteer helped them escape with a 23-16 overtime win.
Minnesota opened the scoring with a 37-yard field goal by Luke Drzewiecki. Later, Indiana’s Josh Hoover found Nick Marsh for a 9-yard touchdown to make it 7-3.
In the second quarter, Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsay found wide receiver Roman Voss for a 39-yard score. Just before halftime, Hoover was intercepted and took a big hit, which would result in head coach Curt Cignetti making the call to replace him in the second half with Grant Wilson. In the third quarter, Indiana tied it at 10-10 with a 46-yard Nico Radicic field goal.
Drzewiecki connected on a 51-yard field goal to get the scoring going in the fourth quarter and put Minnesota up 13-10. Indiana answered back with another Radicic field goal to tie it once again. With just 19 seconds left, Minnesota appeared to win the game on a 60-yard field goal to go up 16-13. However, on the ensuing drive, Wilson found Becker, giving them a chance at a 60-yard field goal of their own. McAteer connected as time expired, sending the game into overtime.
In overtime, Wilson found Becker again, this time for a 25-yard touchdown to give Indiana their first lead of the game, 23-16. Minnesota got the ball close to the end zone on their overtime drive, but ultimately Lindsay was sacked on fourth and goal, allowing Indiana to get out of there with a win and improve to 8-1.
After the game, Cignetti was asked about his decision to replace Hoover with Wilson.
“Josh obviously took that hit, so I can’t remember the exact moment I made my mind up,” Cignetti said. “Grant did a nice job.”
Wilson finished 9-for-17 for 156 yards and one touchdown. Indiana’s real star was Charlie Becker, who caught 8 passes for 149 yards and the game-winning touchdown. The Golden Gophers fall to 5-3, but should be proud of the fight they put up against the defending national champions. Indiana moves to 8-1 and will face off against USC, coming off a win over No. 2 Ohio State.
