Pinstripe Bowl 2015, Indiana vs. Duke: Full highlights, final score and more

The Duke Blue Devils picked up their first bowl win since 1960 in a wild Pinstripe Bowl against the Indiana Hooisers. 

A game that was expected to be a back-and-forth offensive affair did not disappoint, as the Indiana Duke Blue Devils beat the Indiana Hoosiers 44-41 in overtime at Yankee Stadium, complete with controversial ending.

Despite missing ACC Defensive Player of the Year Jeremy Cash, the Duke secondary limited the splash plays from Indiana’s explosive offense early on. Without running back Jordan Howard, the Hoosiers’ offense looked out of sync against a solid, but not great, Duke defense for most of the first half.

After it looked like the Hoosiers offense was finally about to get rolling early in the second following a big play through the air, Indiana quarterback Nate Sudfeld was picked off by Phillip Carter.

The porous Indiana run defense managed not to break apart from a huge 85-yard touchdown run from Shaun Wilson keeping the deficit at just 10-0 midway through the second. However, big plays continued to be an issue for Indiana all game long.

Indiana was finally able to finish off a drive with just under seven minutes to go in the half, as Sudfeld found Luke Timian for his first career touchdown reception. From then on, the Hoosiers would prove difficult to stop.

After Duke failed on a fake punt around midfield, backup running back Devine Redding punched in it in from 17 yards out to give Indiana a 14-10 lead with 1:30 left in the half despite being dominated for much of the game.

The scoring wasn’t nearly done for the half, as Duke quarterback Thomas Sirk went right up the middle of the Hoosiers defense for a 73-yard touchdown and 17-14 lead, before Indiana put together a one minute drive to kick a field goal and even the score.

That continued early in the second half, as Duke kicked a field goal on the opening drive before Indiana marched right down the field for a 24-20 lead on Nick Westbrook’s first career touchdown reception. Sudfeld settled down after his rocky start, as Indiana’s great balance of run and pass made it tough on the Blue Devils defense.

After a Duke three-and-out, Indiana fumbled the subsequent punt for its third turnover of the game. Sirk found Braxton Deaver for a 10-yard touchdown as Duke went back in front.

The Hoosiers tightened up midway through the third, with Indiana shifting its defensive philosophy to a soft zone in order to stop the run. Running back Alex Rodriguez fittingly scored on Indiana’s next drive to put Indiana back up 31-27 late in the third, the fifth lead change of the day.

Sirk continued to be unable to pick apart the Indiana offense focused on eliminating the run, and the Hoosiers were able to add a field goal to go up 34-27 with 11 minutes left. However, the Blue Devils made another big special teams play, as Wilson rattled off a 98-yard kickoff return to know things up.

Duke’s offense finally made a mistake on a trick play, as Wilson threw an interception out of the wildcat formation. The Blue Devils got the ball back but were held on fourth down on the Indiana 20, yet another missed opportunity.

Sudfeld coolly led the Hoosiers down the field and to a 44-37 lead on a touchdown pass to Mitchell Paige. Sirk responded with a touchdown drive of his own, and his five yard touchdown run tied things at 41 with 41 seconds left. That was enough time for Indiana to threaten, but Griffin Oakes missed a 55-yard field goal to send the Pinstripe Bowl to overtime.

Duke suffered a blow right away in overtime, as Sirk left with an apparent knee injury before the Blue Devils had to settle for a field goal. However, the Blue Devils forced a three-and-out on Indiana’s overtime possession, and the Hoosiers  missed the field goal on a controversial call to seal a wild 44-41 Duke win.

Three Stars

Ross Martin, K, Duke. Perfect 3/3 on the day, including 52-yarder to open game and overtime game-winner

Thomas Sirk, WR, Duke. Consistently made plays with his legs, rushing 20 times for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Threw for 163 yards and another two scores.

Shaun Wilson, RB, Duke. Totaled 285 all-purpose yards, including two touchdowns of 85 and 98 yards, respectively.

Highlights

"Mitchell Paige’s TD reception gives Hoosiers a 41-34 lead in the #PinstripeBowl, 4:03 4Q https://t.co/UHHuKBUfRL— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) December 26, 2015"

Odds

Indiana entered the game as a two point favorite and lost outright. The two teams blew past the over/under of 64.

Up Next

Indiana will hope to build on a 7-6 record and bowl appearance, its best season in a number of years. Duke will be thrilled to break the bowl win drought and will look to contend in the ACC next season.