What Tom Allen said following Indiana's loss to Ole Miss in the Outback Bowl

Tom Allen and Indiana have come up short, again, in their quest for a bowl game victory.

The Hoosiers miracle season ended when Mississippi scored a late game touchdown to sour Indiana’s comeback hopes in Saturday’s Outback Bowl, falling to Ole Miss 26-20.

Heading into the bowl season, Indiana was ranked No. 7 in both the Associated Press and Coaches Poll, and the Hoosiers had hoped to be selected for a New Year’s Six bowl game. Their loss in the Outback Bowl continued a 29-year run of futile attempts at a bowl game victory.

Hoosier quarterback Jack Tuttle, who was dealing with a shoulder injury early in the game, struggled, completing 26-for-45 passing, but for only 201 yards as he was forced to stick to short throws.

Indiana finished 6-2 on the season, with its only other loss to national title game participant Ohio State.

Allen confirmed in his post-game presser that Tuttle was suffering through a shoulder separation, and discussed the game, his disappointment in the loss and the outlook for the future.

Tom Allen: "This one's gonna hurt for a while." #iufb

— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) January 2, 2021

Telling quote from Tom Allen on how Ole Miss tempo hurt defense: "We rely so much on disguising things and it’s hard to do that because you’re just trying to get lined up to play at the snap." #iufb

— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) January 2, 2021

Tom Allen confirms Jack Tuttle played through a shoulder separation. "It definitely effected him. I thought he was a warrior today. He played through some serious pain." #iufb

— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) January 2, 2021

Allen says a lot of seniors will have a decision to make whether or not to come back for the extra year. Expects a lot of decisions in the next couple weeks. #iufb

— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) January 2, 2021

Tom Allen postgame: "I’m the head coach and this loss falls on me. That’s the way it works and I accept it. And that's what makes it hurt so much. I wanted it for these kids so bad." #iufb

— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) January 2, 2021

Allen on issues vs. Ole Miss offense: "It was no question with the tempo, with the heat, it was a tough combination. We just needed one more takeaway. We needed a takeaway. Not having any, that’s not how we’ve been successful." #iufb

— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) January 2, 2021

Tom Allen on the offense, says he was worried about rust, considering the COVID-19 issues that paused them and then getting prepared for this one:

"Charles did a great job kicking field goals, but we wanted touchdowns. We just needed one more." #iufb

— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) January 2, 2021

https://twitter.com/PaulEGable/status/1345483204053127168

https://twitter.com/PaulEGable/status/1345483440154619910