Monday Morning Quarterback: Josh Hoover Did Enough To Beat Ohio State, But Indiana Comes Up Short

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Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover wasn't perfect against Ohio State on Saturday, but he was good enough to win. In fact, he probably should have been celebrating one of the biggest victories of his career instead of walking away with a heartbreaking 19-15 loss.

Hoover finished the afternoon completing 20 of his 40 passes for 296 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions. Those numbers aren't necessarily spectacular, but considering the opponent, the stakes and Indiana's inability to establish anything on the ground, Hoover deserves plenty of credit for keeping the Hoosiers in position to win.

And when Indiana needed him most, he delivered. Unfortunately, his receiver didn't.

Hoover's Final Throw Should Have Won The Game

Facing 4th and 4 with the game hanging in the balance, Hoover found Nick Marsh wide open running toward the end zone and delivered what should have been the game-winning touchdown pass. Marsh caught the football but inexplicably stepped out of bounds on his own, turning a potentially legendary Indiana moment into an absolutely devastating finish.

It was a brutal ending for Hoover, who made the right read and delivered the football where it needed to go. Quarterbacks are often judged by whether they can make winning plays in the biggest moments, and Hoover did exactly that.

The final result simply didn't reflect it.

Hoover also had to shoulder almost the entire offensive burden. Indiana rushed for just 73 yards on 29 attempts, averaging an ugly 2.5 yards per carry. Turbo Richard managed only 46 yards on 16 carries, while Lee Beebe Jr. contributed 24 yards on nine attempts.

Without a legitimate rushing threat, Ohio State could focus much of its defensive attention on Hoover and Indiana's passing attack.

Still, Hoover found ways to move the football. Charlie Becker was his favorite target, hauling in nine receptions for 165 yards, while Marsh added three catches for 57 yards and Indiana's lone passing touchdown.

Indiana Still Has Its Quarterback

Throughout the season, Hoover has been a major reason Indiana has established itself as one of the nation's better teams. He's generally been steady, productive and capable of making big throws when the Hoosiers need them.

Saturday wasn't his most efficient performance, completing just 50 percent of his passes, but he protected the football and produced nearly 300 passing yards against an elite opponent.

For a quarterback who has helped Indiana reach national prominence this season, the loss will undoubtedly sting.

But Hoover shouldn't shoulder the blame. He gave Indiana a legitimate chance to beat Ohio State, and on the game's defining play, he did everything right.

Sometimes, even that isn't enough.

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