Curt Cignetti’s errant timeout backfired on the deciding point for Indiana vs. Notre Dame

The Indiana Hoosiers’ College Football Playoff debut didn’t go as planned.

Although Indiana started the game with an interception on Notre Dame’s second play from scrimmage, the Fighting Irish took control by forcing a turnover of their own and haven’t looked back. The Hoosiers trailed 17-3 at halftime, and the second half didn’t go much better.

Midway through the third quarter, Indiana’s defense was still down by 14 points, but made a big stop on third-and-4 at the Hoosiers’ 6-yard line. That forced a fourth down, and the Fighting Irish brought out their field goal unit, but then quickly switched to a crazy formation to make a trick play.

They didn’t get far. Tight end Mitchell Evans took a direct snap and was stopped with about two yards to go, and it appeared Indiana would get the ball back with 14 points.

However, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti called a timeout before the ball was snapped. That gave Notre Dame another chance at fourth down, and Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman opted for a field goal for a 20-3 lead.

That drive, by the way, was kept alive by a questionable penalty for a late hit on Indiana defender James Carpenter. It was such a night for Indiana.

Now, there is certainly no guarantee that had Cignetti not called a timeout, Indiana would have driven 90 yards down the field to make it a one-possession game. The Hoosiers didn’t do much on offense all night. But it was a major turning point in the game that leaves Notre Dame on the verge of a Sugar Bowl appearance against No. 2 Georgia on Jan. 1.