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INT machine: Indiana’s defense has accomplished a B1G feat that hasn’t happened in over a decade
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Coming into this week, the buzz was all about Indiana’s offense…and rightly so. But their under-the-radar defense has done something that hasn’t been accomplished in over a decade.
For the first time since 2009, a Big Ten team has recorded five straight games of multiple interceptions. Indiana’s defense has done that twice already in their meeting at No. 3 Ohio State.
All the games, for what it is worth, have been conference games for the Hoosiers who came into this weekend 4-0 and ranked No. 9.
With 2 picks today against Justin Fields, Indiana's defense has recorded multiple interceptions in all 5 of its games this season (currently most in the FBS).
Indiana is the first Big Ten team with five straight multi-interception games in a season since Ohio State in 2009. pic.twitter.com/0ujnBPLZ4b
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 21, 2020
Perhaps even more impressive, both of the interceptions came in the first half against Buckeyes quarterback Justin Fields, considered among the top-tier of candidates for the Heisman.
And in doing so, Indiana’s defense has forced Fields to throw his first two interceptions of the season. Fields came into the game with just 11 incompletions and zero interceptions through three games.
Already through the first six possessions of the game for Ohio State, Fields has thrown six incompletions. The most he’s had during any game this season is six in a win over then ranked Penn State on the road.
Indiana enetered the game leading the Big Ten with 10 interceptions.