Indiana was actually able to “Finish” a game

Yes it was Virginia. Yes it was ugly. Yes the Hoosiers barely survived. But at the end of the day, the Hoosiers escaped rainy Memorial Stadium by holding off the Hoos in the fourth quarter, which is something that IU has rarely done during the Tom Allen and Kevin Wilson eras. Coming into the season, Allen made “Finish” the motto for the 2018 campaign, and this was Indiana’s first chance against a power five opponent to win a close game. After going 0-4 last season in games decided by one possession, it is an absolute momentum builder for Tom Allen’s team to to get a close victory against Virginia.

Stevie Scott is an absolute unit

It was Stevie Scott’s coming out party on Saturday night in Bloomington. Scott became the fourth true freshman in IU football history (per Big Ten Network) to rush for over 200 yards with 204 yards on the ground on 31 attempts with a touchdown. The Syracuse native came to Bloomington known more as a power back, but Scott was also able to show a very good burst of speed against Virginia on numerous occasions, most notably on a 40-yard touchdown rush to cap Indiana’s first drive of the night and a 42-yard scamper early in the third quarter. The emergence of Scott gives the Hoosiers a much needed go to man on the ground, as the 6-2 freshman has been the lead back in each of Indiana’s first two games, combining for 51 carries in the two contests. Reese Taylor will still get some change of pace looks, Mike Majette and Ricky Brookins will still see action on passing downs and fellow freshman Ronnie Walker may work his way into the backfield as the season moves along, but Scott will be the workhorse that IU needs moving forward.

The field goal unit… not good!

The Hoosiers field goal unit was, simply put, a disaster on Saturday night. Logan Justice had two kicks blocked on the night, with both coming as a result of a breakdown on the right side of the Indiana blocking unit. The first blocked kick—on an extra point after Indiana’s second touchdown—was returned by the Hoos for a two point conversion. The three point swing put Virginia down just four points instead of a full touchdown, and could have easily cost the Hoosiers the game if Virginia would have been able to score on their final possession. With the Hoosiers having to go through the gauntlet of the Big Ten East, they will need to sure up the field goal kicking unit if the Hoosiers want to have any shot of making their third bowl trip in four years.