Hoosiers top Badgers for 1st time in 18 years

MADISON, Wis. – Indiana made sure the loss of its star quarterback didn’t interfere with its emergence as one of the Big Ten’s top teams this season.

These Hoosiers play some pretty stout defense too

Jack Tuttle threw two touchdown passes in his first career start and Indiana’s defense made a stand in the final minute as the 12th-ranked Hoosiers outlasted No. 16Wisconsin 14-6onSaturday. Tuttle was starting in place of Michael Penix Jr., who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a victory atMaryland lastweek.

“Most people wrote us off because we lost Michael Penix, who is a special player. Butwe are a football team,” Indiana coach Tom Allen said, putting special emphasis on his finalword.

Indiana tied a program record Saturday by earning its sixth Big Ten win of the season, joining the 1967 and 1987 teams. The Hoosiers (6-1) also snapped a 10-game skid in the series and beat Wisconsin for the first time since 2002.

“It really feels amazing,” Tuttle said. “I’m so happy for this team. There are things we have to fix, but right nowit just feels great.”

The victory wasn’t secure until the final minute.

Wisconsin (2-1) drove to Indiana’s 17-yard line on its final possession, but a second-down sack from Micah McFadden pushed the Badgers back to the 21. After an incompletion, Wisconsin faced fourth-and-10.

Graham Mertz threw into the right corner of the end zone but couldn’t connect with Chimere Dike, whowas closely defendedby Reese Taylor. The foiled fourthdown pass with 46 seconds left squashed the Badgers’ last hope.