BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Paddy McAteer booted a career-long 60-yard field goal as time expired in regulation, and backup quarterback Grant Wilson tossed a 25-yard touchdown pass on the first play of overtime to lift fourth-ranked Indiana over Minnesota 23-16 on Saturday.
The wild finish kept Indiana’s pursuit of a repeat national championship on track, though the Hoosiers (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten) required an extra period for the second consecutive week after previously surviving a 13-6 overtime contest at Michigan, NBC Sports reported.
A stunned finish in regulation
Minnesota (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) seemed poised to pull off a major road upset after entering as 20.5-point underdogs, Yahoo Sports reported. With 19 seconds left on the clock, Golden Gophers kicker Luke Drzewiecki drilled a career-long 60-yard field goal to give Minnesota a 16-13 edge.
Indiana quickly responded when Wilson connected with Charlie Becker on a 33-yard strike to the Minnesota 43-yard line with 13 seconds left, according to USA TODAY Sports. Rather than relying on primary placekicker Nico Radicic, Indiana sent out McAteer, who serves as the team’s kickoff specialist. McAteer, who had made just one of three attempts on the year heading into the kick, split the uprights from 60 yards as the clock struck zero to force overtime.
“This is entertainment, so we thought we’d put some entertainment value into this game,” Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti deadpanned afterward, Yahoo Sports reported.
Wilson sparks the Hoosiers in relief
The Hoosiers needed only one snap in overtime to claim the lead. Wilson found Becker for a 25-yard touchdown pass to make it 23-16. Minnesota subsequently pushed inside the Indiana 5-yard line, but the Hoosiers’ defense preserved the victory when Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey was dropped for a sack on fourth down, NBC Sports reported.
Indiana turned to Wilson after pulling starting quarterback Josh Hoover at halftime. Hoover, who has been battling a shoulder injury suffered against Ohio State, finished 8-of-19 passing for 119 yards with one touchdown and one interception, according to the Indianapolis Star. With the Hoosiers trailing 10-7 at the break and struggling to generate momentum, Cignetti inserted Wilson for the final two quarters.
Wilson finished the contest 9 of 17 for 156 yards and the overtime touchdown. Becker provided the primary spark through the air, compiling eight catches for 149 yards along with the decisive score, NBC Sports reported.
Special teams redemption and looking ahead
The late heroics redeemed what had been a difficult afternoon for Indiana’s kicking unit. Before McAteer’s tying boot, Radicic went 2-for-4 on field goals, while the unit also dealt with a mishandled snap and an errant punt, Yahoo Sports reported. Drzewiecki converted all three of his attempts for Minnesota.
For the Golden Gophers, Lindsey completed 20 of 37 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown, while receiver Javon Tracy caught seven passes for 40 yards, NBC Sports reported. The loss dropped Minnesota to 0-13 all-time against defending national champions.
Indiana enters an off week before hosting Southern California on Nov. 14, with remaining regular season games against Washington and Purdue, USA TODAY Sports reported. Minnesota returns home next Saturday to face seventh-ranked UCLA.
