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Indiana capped off one of the best seasons in the program’s history with one of the most memorable Bucket games in the rivalry’s history, beating Purdue in double overtime, 44-41.
1. Best Bucket game ever
The Austin Starr Kick is always going to hold the sentimental vote but Saturday’s game might be the best game in the history of the Old Oaken Bucket. It was only the second overtime game in the history of the rivalry, which is hard to believe.
The game had a bit of everything. It had lots of scoring, some big defensive plays, highlight reel plays, circus catches and lots of drama all with a bucket on the line.
For Indiana, though, there wasn’t a more fitting ending to the game than the ball being in Peyton Ramsey’s hands. First, the play design to get to the one-yard line was terrific. The decision to hurry to the line and run a sneak given everything Purdue was trying to do defensively was a great call as well. Special shoutout to Ronnie Walker for the push.
2. Whop and James
This extended break could not be coming at a better time for Indiana as they are supremely banged up, but they did welcome back Whop Philyor who looked like he hadn’t missed a beat. Indiana’s star wideout had eight catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns and one awesome celebration.
Whop Philyor scores the touchdown and hits the train whistle on the way back to the sideline pic.twitter.com/n7wWHPXimz
— Oaken Bucket Haver (@JacobRude) November 30, 2019
Sampson James, meanwhile, showed Indiana’s depth at running back. The highly-touted recruit stepped in for the injured Stevie Scott and had a career day, rushing for 118 yards and a score before leaving with an injury.
The offense deserves a lot of praises—including another shoutout to Kalen DeBoer who continues to do a marvelous job—but it’s hard not to credit these two.
3. Peyton Ramsey
If we’re talking offense, heaps and heaps of praise should go to Ramsey. It feels like a tradition each game this season for one of the “things” to be Ramsey. He accounted for five touchdowns and 379 yards of offense. He made plays all day when he was given time.
Yes, he had some boneheaded moments, but this season doesn’t happen without him and this win doesn’t happen without him.
There’s lots of other things to talk about from this game. The defense remained a trainwreck, Tom Allen got outcoached for large stretches of the game and the offensive line has a lot of problems, albeit largely because of injuries, but the Bucket is back in Bloomington and #9WINDIANA is still alive. Enjoy it.