Indiana survived, but the defending national champions looked very human tonight.
Northwestern entered as a three-touchdown underdog and took this game into the final minute. Indiana controlled the trenches and outrushed the Wildcats 271–32, but the Hoosiers never turned that physical advantage into the dominant performance everyone expected.
Lee Beebe Jr. ultimately rescued Indiana with his legs, including the fourth-quarter touchdown that provided the necessary separation. Still, a facemask penalty on third-and-19 extended that possession and helped Indiana escape.
The Hoosiers are 4–0, their winning streak has reached 20 games, and surviving an ugly conference game counts. But this was not the performance of an unbeatable team. Northwestern exposed some cracks that better Big Ten opponents will attack.
CLEMSON 24, CAL 10
Clemson finally looked like a team that understood what it needed to be.
Forget trying to manufacture an explosive passing offense that isn’t there. Give the football to Gideon Davidson, play defense, win field position and make the opponent earn everything.
Davidson was the difference, rushing for 159 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. Clemson ran for 255 yards while holding Cal to 86. The defense surrendered only three offensive points, and Elliot Washington II intercepted two passes. Bryant Wesco Jr.’s 65-yard punt return for a touchdown broke the game open.
The Tigers still have significant limitations in the passing game. Tait Reynolds threw for only 108 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. Against better teams, Clemson cannot expect Davidson and the defense to carry the entire load every week.
But after what we saw against LSU and during much of the North Carolina game, this was progress. Clemson traveled across the country, controlled the line of scrimmage and won a conference road game.
Indiana survived. Clemson established an identity. Neither team was spectacular, but only one of them left Friday night looking better than it did coming in.
