Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Talk about your bounce back wins. Indiana had just lost to Wake Forest at home 33-28 and Michigan State hadn't lost two games in a row since 2012. This was a great win for IU despite the fact that Michigan State finished the season 3-9. The Hoosiers came back from 14-0 and overcame three missed field goals and several other golden opportunities to put the game out of reach. IU was plus-13.9 in average starting field position and had converted on over 50-percent of their third down opportunities. Overall, it was a great night in Bloomington and a win that was vital to getting to a bowl game.

Opponent: Michigan State Spartans

Location: Saturday October 1st , Memorial Stadium (Bloomington, IN)

Why They Played: Indiana and Michigan State play for the Old Brass Spittoon in what is now an annual Big Ten East duel.

What The Game Meant

Coming off of a disappointing loss to Wake Forest, Indiana wanted to get off to a fast start in Big Ten play with a win over 17th ranked Michigan State and take back the Old Brass Spittoon.

Top Offensive Performers

Richard Lagow, QB, Indiana- The junior quarterback was coming off of a five interception performance and had over-thrown a wide open Mitchell Paige in the end zone for another pick. However, Lagow rebounded to lead the Hoosiers to the comeback win. He completed 16-of-26 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns. Lagow also got Indiana on the board with a touchdown reception, yes that’s right, from Mitchell Paige.

Mitchell Paige, WR, Indiana- Indiana’s Mr. Everything had a monster impact in the game on both offense and on special teams. Paige caught three passes for 48 yards including a 15-yard touchdown, threw a five-yard touchdown pass, and added a 31-yard punt return.

Ricky Jones, WR, Indiana- For the second straight week the fifth-year senior led the Hoosiers in receiving finishing with 124 yards, 90 in the second half including a 22-yard touchdown and a long catch and run of 54-yards.

R.J. Shelton, WR, Michigan State- Shelton, who has been a Spartan for what seems like a decade, had another big night for MSU. He scored the first Spartan touchdown on an 86-yard pass, while hauling in seven passes for 141 yards. Most of those touches game on shovel passes.

Tyler O’Conner, QB, Michigan State- O’Connor was not spectacular, but he did complete 21-of-35 passes and threw three touchdowns in the loss. He never looked comfortable as he was unable to set his feet most of the night.

Top Defensive Performers

Tegray Scales, LB, Indiana- A week after setting a career-high in tackles with 13, Scales topped that with 14 stops on Saturday. He was outstanding and disruptive accounting for 1.5 tackles for loss.

Patrick Dougherty, DT, Indiana- Dougherty is an unheralded defensive lineman who stepped up to play a major role in the Hoosiers’ upset victory. He blocked Michael Geiger’s first field goal attempt and had a sack in overtime that led to another missed field goal. He finished with two total tackles.

Chris Frey, LB, Michigan State- Some one needed to step up in the absence of Riley Bullough, and Frey did that recording eight total tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss.

Special Team Performance

There is a lot to be pleased about, really, there is. Yes, Griffin Oakes hit the game-winner from 20 yards out, but that came after a leaping penalty nullified what would have been his third miss of the game. Oakes missed earlier in the game from 50 and 40 yards out. On the bright side, Indiana finally received a spark in their return game as Devonte Williams looked great averaging 30 yards per return on kickoffs and Mitchell Paige had an electric 31-yard punt return. Joseph Gedeon had a solid night punting as he put two inside the 20 with a 38.7-yard per punt average.

Key Stat(s):

24

The Hoosiers were shutout in the first half and fell behind 14-0 before going on a 24-7 run in the second half.

Turning Point

There are many points in the game to look at that could be the turning point, however to me the Hoosiers got back into the game and reenergized the crowd on the 54-yard pass to Ricky Jones. It was a play that would lead to a score and including a resounding block by Nick Westbrook on a defender that fired everyone up.

I Knew it Was Over When…

Griffin Oakes’ 20-yard field goal went through the uprights in overtime.

Players of the Game

Tegray Scales, Indiana- He was a tackling machine on a unit that kept the Hoosiers alive as the offense sputtered. He consistently made open field tackles and kept the Michigan State short passes to minimal gains.

R.J. Shelton, Michigan State- The most explosive player on offense for the Spartans and showed that he can play at the next level getting the ball in multiple ways.