Does Indiana have to play four quarters? Can it petition the NCAA to call its games after three quarters?

The Hoosiers would be bowl eligible if fourth quarters were tossed out. Instead, they are 4-5 and stumbling toward the season’s finish with two straight losses and five defeats in their last six games.

Saturday’s fist-to-the-gut 42-24 loss at Iowa ruined what had been an improbable upset bid. IU, which twice had 14-point leads, was outscored 28-0 and out-gained 266-55 in the fourth quarter.

A week earlier it had blown a 25-point lead at Northwestern and had gotten outscored 10-0 in the final quarter. IU has led after three quarters in all three Big Ten road games. Its lost them all.

The No. 7 Hawkeyes (9-0) continued their cliffhanger season behind quarterback Rick Stanzi. He overcame a career-high five interceptions (Iowa had six overall) to go 3-for-3 in the fourth quarter for 177 yards and two touchdowns. He finished with a career-high 337 passing yards.

IU quarterback Ben Chappell went 23-for-41 for 227 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Receiver Damarlo Belcher, a former North Side standout, had six catches for 89 yards and a touchdown.

Iowa came in vulnerable. It was missing its starting tailback and a starting offensive lineman because of injuries. It was down to its third punt returner. And it was coming off an emotionally draining comeback victory at Michigan State.

The Hoosiers, meanwhile, played inspired despite an injury depleted secondary. For three quarters they thrived in an underdog role and knowing they needed two victories in their last four games to become bowl eligible.

IU had Iowa on the ropes at halftime, but everybody does. The Hawkeyes have trailed in eight of their nine games, but survive because of second-half dominance. Could they do it again? Could the Hoosiers hold on to a lead after what had happened at Northwestern?

Yes, Iowa could. No, IU couldn’t.

Indiana rocked Iowa in the first half. It forced two turnovers. It made big plays. It played with passion. The Hawkeyes stumbled along so badly, their fans booed them.

Willis put IU ahead 7-0 with a 4-yard touchdown run. Chappell’s 16-yard TD pass to Mitchell Evans made it 14-0.

Iowa came back with Brandon Wegher’s 4-yard scoring run, but the Hoosiers ended the half with Chappell’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Belcher for a 21-7 score. It was the Hawkeyes’ biggest deficit of the season.

Belcher had five catches for 44 yards at that point. Chappell was 12-for-19 for 87 yards.

IU intercepted Stanzi four times in the third quarter, but managed just one field goal. It had one touchdown catch overturned. It missed a 28-yard field goal attempt.

Iowa, meanwhile, got an 86-yard interception return for a touchdown by defensive back Tyler Stash just when the Hoosiers were poised to take a 21-point lead and, perhaps, put the Hawkeyes away. Still, IU led 24-14 entering the fourth quarter.

Then it all fell apart.

The Hawkeyes closed within three two minutes into the final quarter when Stanzi hit Marvin McNutt with a 92-yard touchdown pass. They took 28-24 lead a few minutes later when Stanzi hit Darrell Johnson-Koulianos for a 66-yard touchdown pass.

The Hoosiers were finished.