You wouldn’t expect there to be many positives out of a 23-point loss, but Indiana is using Saturday’s performance against Ohio State as an opportunity to prove it can be a factor in the B1G East.

To use Nick Westbrook’s terminology, the Hoosiers are a “dangerous” team. In particular, the wide receivers.

Indiana fell to 4-2 on the year after a 49-26 loss to the third-ranked Buckeyes this weekend. Looking at the final score, you’d think this was a typical blowout victory for Ohio State. But the Hoosiers went toe-to-toe with one of the best team’s in the country. While head coach Tom Allen says there are no moral victories, Westbrook believes his team proved something.

“Towards the end of the game, I was just saying ‘this is kinda scary how dangerous we can be,'” Westbrook said after the game. “Going forward in the season, we should expect a lot out of ourselves as receivers in the passing game.”

“We’ve felt our confidence grow each week.”

Westbrook had a big day for the Hoosiers, hauling in five passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. A few of his catches came in impressive fashion. Fellow wide receiver J-Shun Harris was also impressive, totaling 104 yards on eight receptions.

The Hoosiers ended the days with 322 yards and three touchdowns through the air without throwing an interception.

Indiana’s passing attack has been good most of the season, but Saturday’s effort against Ohio State was by far the best showing. The Hoosiers will need that continue, especially with games against Iowa, Penn State and Michigan left on the schedule.

Even though it was a 23-point loss, the Hoosiers certainly proved something to the rest of the B1G on Saturday. Those wide receivers are going to be really difficult to cover.