Indiana kick returner Mitchell Paige had just polished off an electrifying 51-yard third-quarter punt return for a touchdown when he jogged to the Hoosiers' sideline and offered a plea to his teammates.
"No more being close," he bellowed to anyone within earshot.
All season, this Indiana team had been on the cusp of something great. The Hoosiers led undefeated Ohio State in the third quarter. They blew a 25-point third-quarter lead against Rutgers. They were within one point of unbeaten Iowa in the fourth quarter a week ago. Each time, they left disappointed and defeated.