Hoosiers looking for finishing touch against No. 6 Buckeyes

The Indiana Hoosiers feel like they are watching movie sequels each time they see tape of their most recent games against Ohio State: Competitive for three quarters before wearing down in the fourth.

On Sept. 14, they will try to rewrite the script with a surprise twist when the No. 6 Buckeyes come to town.

“The bottom line is that we have to finish,” Coach Tom Allen said. “It’s not about just competing with them and feeling good about that. Certain stages of your program you feel that’s what you want to do and to me, we’ve been there and we’ve done that. Now we’ve got to finish.”

Of course, it won’t be easy. Indiana (2-0) has lost 23 consecutive games in this series dating to a tie in 1990.

New starting quarterback Justin Fields has been putting together a Heisman Trophy-worthy highlight reel and running back J.K. Dobbins ran for 181 yards in his college debut the last time he visited Bloomington.

The offense averages 43.5 points and the defense has yielded only three points in the first half of its first two games.

If the Buckeyes learned anything from their last regular-season trip to the state of Indiana — a blowout loss at Purdue last season — it’s that they can’t take anything for granted even in this series.

“The mentality we have is if you’re the champ, you’re the boxer, they’re going to try to knock you out every time,” Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said.

Notes

• Fields has thrown for six touchdowns and run for three more in his first two games with the Buckeyes. He’s second in Ohio State history to Dwayne Haskins Jr. for most touchdown passes in his first two starts.

• Indiana’s Michael Penix Jr. has shown what he’s capable of in his first two career starts. After throwing for 326 yards, one TD and two interceptions and running for 67 yards in the season opener, Penix cleaned things up last week and was an efficient 14 of 20 with 197 yards and two TDs before taking a seat late in the first half. The redshirt freshman knows he will have to be every bit as good Saturday.

• Indiana is one of six teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision that has not yet allowed a sack. Buckeyes defensive end Chase Young could change things in a hurry. The junior already has three sacks this season.

JAY LAPRETE — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, left, dives over the goal line past Cincinnati defensive back Darrick Forrest, center, and linebacker Dorian Holloway during the first half Sept. 7 in Columbus.