BOWL BOUND!!!

The Hoosiers got the job done today, beating Purdue 27-24. IU finishes the year 7-5 and in position for its first bowl invitation since 1993.

The game was not without its tense moments. IU began the fourth quarter with a 24-10 lead after Purdue scored its first touchdown of the game with a couple minutes left in the third quarter. Then as the fourth quarter unfolded, IU nearly pulled off a collapse of Biblical proportions. With about four minutes to go, Purdue scored the tying touchdown, following an IU fumble. The previous two scores came after the IU offense could not get much done at all.

But the Hoosiers picked themselves up off the mat with the game on the line and converted a couple big third downs with the clock running down to set up a 49-yard field goal attempt. Austin Starr's kick, a career-long, was good and the Hoosiers had the lead with 30 seconds to go. Purdue could not get anything going and the game ended with the students rushing the field.

This is a milestone victory for IU football. After being destitute for more than a decade, they finally have something positive to talk about. The Cream and Crimson are almost certainly going to be on TV next month in a post-season game. This one's for Hep, the IU fans who withstood so much misery, and the players, who deserve it after such a tough offseason. Congrats.

The win moved IU into a tie for seventh with a 3-5 Big Ten record. Iowa finishes ahead of them in the standings, but the Hawkeyes overall record is 6-6. Bowl rules state all 7-5 teams must be selected for bowl games before any 6-6 teams may go.

Photos are available here and final stats are here.