COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Indiana Hoosiers (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten East) fell to the no. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten East), 38-17.

Indiana’s much improved defense continued their strong play against a stout Buckeye offense.

Ohio State entered the contest averaging 57 points per game, 576 total yards, 332 rushing yards and 244 yards through the air.  Indiana held the Buckeyes well below their averages in both points and passing yards.  Barrett managed just 93 yards passing on nine-for-21 passing.  He did most of his damage on the ground, rushing for 137 yards on 26 carries.  Barrett threw for one score and ran for another.

A pair of Hoosiers recorded their first career takeaways. Junior Patrick Dougherty halted the first Buckeye drive of the game with a fumble recovery, which led to Griffin Oakes‘ 43^rd career successful field goal attempt, this one from 21-yards out to give the Hoosiers the 3-0 advantage.  With over 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter, A’Shon Riggins recorded his first career interception.

Tegray Scales paced the defense with 10 tackles, his third straight game with double digit stops.  Tony Fields was credited with eight tackles.  Jonathan Crawford and Marcus Oliver both notched seven stops.  Nate Hoff recorded his second sack in as many games and added two tackles-for-loss on the day.

Richard Lagow led a seven play 65-yard touchdown drive prior to halftime.  Lagow connected with Mitchell Paige on an 18-yard post route for IU’s first touchdown on the afternoon.  However, all momentum that scoring drive created was quickly nullified on the subsequent kickoff.  Ohio State returned the kickoff for 91 yards, which led to touchdown right before the half ended.

Ohio State held a two touchdown advantage at the break, 24-10.

IU received the kickoff to begin the second half.  The Hoosiers controlled the ball using 13 plays to go 89 yards for the score.  Lagow found Danny Friend all alone in the end zone after the Buckeyes busted their coverage assignments.  The scoring toss was Lagow’s second of the game, and Friend’s second of his career. The score of 24-17 was the closest IU would get for the remainder of the game.

For the game, Lagow completed 14 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns, giving him nine for the season.  Nick Westbrook, who hauled in a 50-yard reception, led the IU receiving corps with two receptions for 67 yards.

Devine Redding showed some flash plays, but was mainly held in check by the very talented Buckeye defensive front.  Redding tallied 22 carries for 78 yards.

Joseph Gedeon punted the ball extremely well again for the Hoosiers.  On the day he averaged over 40 yards per punt and pinned the Buckeyes inside the two-yard line on two separate occasions.

The Buckeyes defense led the nation in points allowed per game, giving up just 9.2 points per contest.  Indiana found success in small pockets, posting nearly 300 yards of total offense and 17 points.