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(10/06/18 11:50pm)
Well that certainly wasn't what we were expecting. Indiana played arguably its strongest, most complete game of the season while Ohio State played one of its sloppiest -- and the Buckeyes still won 49-26. Indiana, dare I say it, showed up in the first half and hung around from there. Sure, Ohio State let 'em to an extent, but the effort the Hoosiers showed on multiple fronts at least seems promising as IU moves into the second half of its season. A quick reaction from today's loss at the horseshoe:
Indiana Secondary Can't Keep Up
Let it be known, Dwayne Haskins is as dynamic as they come, despite not being quite like some of Ohio State's dual threat quarterbacks of the past. That said, Indiana's secondary helped make Haskins look better than he probably is this afternoon. Call it delayed play calling, the effect playing at the horseshoe had on the Hoosiers, or really anything else -- it just seemed today like roles weren't as clearly defined as they have been up until this point in the season. Linebackers were forced to drop into pass coverage situations (Raekwon Jones covering OSU's Perris Campbell is less than ideal), and Jonathan Crawford simply can't do it all himself. Ohio State's Haskins finished the day 33-of-44, throwing for 455 yards and six touchdowns. As far as the Hoosier defense goes as a whole, Dameon Willis led the way with 9 tackles, followed by Marcelino Ball and T.D. Roof, both with 8 apiece. Needless to say, Indiana fans should hope things get cleaned up in a hurry with Iowa visiting Bloomington next weekend.
Tom Allen Takeaways!
Tom Allen's defensive takeaways are back in a big way, and that's a big relief for the Hoosiers and their fans moving forward. People talk about the path to six wins for this Indiana program, but a huge part of the path to each and every one of those wins has to do with stout play up front. This said, Tom Allen will certainly still have some things to say about the way his defense handled the second half.
Two interceptions -- one from redshirt freshman Bryant Fitzgerald and another one coming unexpectedly from Devon Matthews -- as well as a fumble recovery, helped keep IU's hopes alive and frankly, kept the game within reach. You better believe it'll continue to be a big part of Indiana's success moving forward.
Ramsey Taking Shots
I was seriously impressed by the way Peyton Ramsey continued to improve after a really, really apathetic second half performance from the Hoosiers last Saturday in Piscataway. Right up until kickoff, no one could be sure about how Mike DeBord was going to approach the play calling in this game, and I think the majority of fans will come away pleasantly surprised. The Hoosiers didn't necessarily empty the playbook today like some initially thought they would, but seeing Ramsey take more shots downfield was encouraging, again, in terms of what's left on the schedule for Indiana. Ramsey finished his day in Columbus with a trio of touchdowns. The sophomore continues to look more and more assertive, confident, and possessed in the pocket with each passing week, and for me, it's really all positive going forward.
Additional Notes:
Redshirt senior wideout J-Shun Harris reached a career high 8 receptions, going for 104 yards
Peyton Ramsey also threw for a career high, finishing the day with 322 yards and going 26-of-49
The Hoosiers ran the ball 21 times, compared to its 26 plays through the air
(10/03/18 2:33pm)
Mark steps into the hosting chair for the first time this year and Render vents about Team USA's failures in the Ryder Cup (yes, he was up at 2 a.m.). Plus, do the Miami Dolphins still have a shot at the playoffs? Can Rutgers get a win over Illinois? We cover it all on this week's edition of The Other Guys.
(09/29/18 7:24pm)
Yikes. Well that second half was uh, interesting. It got a little dicey down the stretch, but nonetheless, Indiana holds on for the win 24-17 over Rutgers in gorgeous Piscataway. It might not have been pretty, it might not have been what Indiana fans expected, but the Hoosiers get the job done and move to 4-1 for the first time since 2015. Let's react:
Ball Security, Or Lack Thereof
Part of the reason why probably many Hoosier fans even stayed tuned in to the 4th quarter of this one at all. Though Scott's miscue in the first half was saved by an official review, taking care of the ball with a lead (in the second half) is imperative, and that third quarter turnover was a scare. Still, that's a freshman being a freshman, which Scott just hasn't looked like at all as in his performances up to this point. Luckily for Indiana, Rutgers couldn't turn that third quarter play into any points. While Stevie Scott got things going once again on the ground to an extent this week for IU, seeing a couple come loose today in Piscataway was surely a bit unsettling and something you can bet Tom Allen will harp on next week.
Run The Ball (Better)
If one thing was clear headed to Rutgers, it was that the Hoosiers had no choice but to change the rhetoric about the run game, after last weekend's less dull performance. That changed quick, as Stevie Scott exceeded last week's total on today's first drive, capping it all off in a score to put Indiana ahead early. While Scott carried the load once again, Peyton Ramsey pitched in nicely, and Ronnie Walker Jr. got some well deserved carries too. Again, Indiana fans are reminded that building this position group and watching it evolve over the remainder of 2018 will be a process.
Peyton Can Pass! (And run a little, too)
I would've been disappointed if Peyton Ramsey hadn't taken some shots downfield the way he did this afternoon. From the get-go today, Ramsey worked to find the likes of Hale and Westbrook on slants over the middle of the field. Even Ty Fryfogle got involved. With the expectation that Westbrook would be open the majority of the day against Rutgers' secondary, Ramsey capitalized. Ramsey finishes the day 27-of-40 with 288 yards and a touchdown.
(09/18/18 9:25pm)
The guys are back for round two with talk about Indiana Football's 3-0 start, why Kurt is (still) a Browns fan, and whether or not Rutgers belongs in the Big Ten after all.
(09/13/18 7:34pm)
With two weeks in the books, this Indiana team has been tested in two different ways. Week one is always a challenge, but Florida International presented an odd road environment that exposed IU to potential defensive flaws. FIU forced Indiana to play on its heels in a way that was rare during 2017. Anthony Johnson raced his way to 91 carries on 15 carries, and the Hoosiers could have been in trouble if the Panthers possessed a competent aerial attack.
Virginia was different. Indiana faced, arguably, one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in Bryce Perkins amidst seriously challenging weather conditions. The Hoosiers generally contained Perkins, yet again limited big plays, and did enough to pass both tests -- albeit barely.
Indiana's task with Ball State on Saturday is also different. Quite frankly, Tom Allen's defense has not played against a quarterback that can throw the football successfully. That will change with Ball State quarterback Riley Neal.
"Riley Neal's the best quarterback in terms of passing and everything," head coach Tom Allen said Monday. "He can run, he's athletic and a big old guy and he's the best, most complete one we played yet."
While Indiana's defense has concerned itself almost exclusively with the run game during the last 120 minutes of football played, Neal presents an entirely separate dimension of tests. Not only can he throw, but Neal has also proven himself as an experienced leader, managing a near upset on the road last weekend in South Bend. Muncie's 6-foot-6 signal-caller is a dual-threat quarterback in the truest form, not in the sense of Perkins.
What Neal has, that Indiana's previous opponents lacked, is an arm. And a good arm at that. The offense was surely on display at full strength in Ball State's week one trouncing of FCS-opponent Central Connecticut State, but Muncie is buzzing after the Cardinals almost staged a comeback against No. 8 Notre Dame last Saturday. Though Neal didn't have a stellar day, it's easy to see what's there in terms of the pure confidence which the redshirt junior possesses.
"You can tell he's very poised back there," IU safeties coach Kasey Teegardin said Monday. "You try to get him off the spot but he can still roll out and throw where he needs to."
The Irish admitted this week that they underestimated what Ball State is capable of, on both sides. Neal has a fair share of targets, starting with tight end Nolan Given and 6-foot-3 wideout Yo'Heinz Tyler, who have both caught two touchdowns this year. Riley Miller and Justin Hall have also both surpassed 100 yards on the season, two weeks in.
Saturday's game at Memorial Stadium could come down to Indiana's secondary. Neal's weapons have height, and IU's defensive backs aren't necessarily the tallest. Ball State came close in South Bend, and another game against an in-state Power Five opponent can be a salivating opportunity.
"Games-wise, we're very inexperienced," Teegardin said. "Our guys are really going to have to focus hard on eye discipline, make sure we're driving the right guys in the right times, and play everything top-down."
Neal is a legitimate threat to run. In week one, the quarterback rushed six times for 37 yards and a touchdown, and has proven capabilities of doing more than that. Most significantly, it also produces an intangible effect -- just another thing for a defense to worry about every time he's on the field. Virginia's Perkins was the better runner, no doubt. But Tom Allen is completely correct when labeling Neal as the most complete quarterback Indiana has faced to date.
"If something breaks, we've gotta down the ball," Teegardin said. "If we don't down it, then we've gotta make that runner adjust his path at the least. I think we've done a good job of that."
Without any sight of Indiana's defensive line pressuring the quarterback, the Hoosiers' secondary will have to play sound on Saturday. With time in the pocket, Neal has the sheer talent to pick apart a defense. Indiana has one sack in two games, tied with Wisconsin for worst in the Big Ten. Expect Neal to find success early, and the Hoosiers having to adjust.
(09/09/18 2:47am)
The weather couldn't have gotten much worse, but Indiana had a home opener to play Saturday night. As expected, heavy rain, which lasted for the majority of the night, proved to be a bit of an equalizer, but Indiana did enough to hang on for its second straight win to open the season 2-0. Reaction:
Feed Stevie
Especially given the weather, more than a few people offered at Stevie Scott being the go-to on the ground coming into tonight; the freshman seemed poised to break out against Virginia after a promising performance in Miami a week ago. At one point near the end of the third quarter, Scott literally carried the Hoosiers down inside the Virginia 40 yard line before punting. Though it didn't conclude in a score of any kind, which was certainly an area of concern tonight in itself, these are signs of life. The run would be reflective of tonight's stellar effort, as Scott finished with over 200 yards and a touchdown. The sort of maturity and knowledge the freshman has proved he already possesses has to be comforting. Most importantly, these may be the first signs of Indiana finally beginning to get a grasp of its identity, or at least a portion of it.
Containing Perkins (Enough)
Some of the first words out of Tom Allen's mouth Monday after FIU were regarding how quickly Virginia quarterback had got ahold of his attention. Though it was a good night for the first-year Cavalier (123 yards on 25 attempts) the Hoosier defense took care of things when it needed to. With few exceptions, when Perkins attempted to throw, it wasn't pretty, keeping the Virginia offense on the ground for most of the night, whether it was Perkins or running tailback Jordan Ellis. Though a few double-digit yardage gains show up on the stat sheet tonight, Perkins just couldn't run all over the defense in the same way he did last week versus Richmond, and to that extent, the rain might've helped Indiana's cause. Fears regarding Indiana's front seven were plentiful after last week's suspect performance at FIU; those can be alleviated to an extent after tonight, as the defense secured a few key stops when it mattered most. Still, some fragility on the front line is evident.
Ramsey Reacts Well
This was Peyton Ramsey's game to win or lose tonight and in turn, the sophomore handled it well. In part because of the conditions, finding targets through the air was hard to come by and when he had nowhere else to go, Ramsey scrambled and made it work, the quarterback finishing with two throwing touchdowns and 150 yards. yards on the ground. It is now clear that Ramsey knows who he wants to go to and when. While Donavan Hale led the way again tonight in terms of receiving (4 receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown), Ramsey found tight end Peyton Hendershot as well as wideout Ty Fryfogle in key situations. On a night where so many things didn't go Indiana's way, Ramsey managed well in midst of it all.
(09/02/18 12:39pm)
In Saturday night's season-opening win, Indiana's new offense clicked when it needed to most. Among flashy defense (led by senior safety and cousin Jonathan Crawford) and near-perfect quarterback performances, wide receiver Donavan Hale, home again and better than before, provided a spark plug in the most key moments.
Hale's been waiting a while -- nearly his entire tenure in Bloomington -- for an opportunity to play a legitimate difference. Originally entering the program with intentions to help at quarterback, Hale broadened his skill set in 2016 but stood in the background. Poised to make an impact in 2017, the then-junior's season was cut short after three games. Though never actually tearing his ACL, Hale had knee surgery and was ruled out for the season. For Hale, 2018 is a chance at a breakout year. The 6-foot-4 wideout has shown flashes since he arrived, but injuries have largely plagued him.
Before Indiana, there was Largo High School and Hale's high school football career in southern Florida. Hale wasn't the only one who realized he'd be coming home when the team saw FIU on the schedule. Crawford, quarterback Michael Penix, and wide receiver Whop Philyor, among many others, all played their high school ball in different parts of Florida. The Hoosiers have 24 players on the roster from the sunshine state.
"For Crawford to get the pick-six, and Donavan to get a couple touchdowns and some big plays, that's how you script it," Head Coach Tom Allen said. "This state's really important to us. We wanted to come down here and do a great job. It's great to get the win."
When most desperate to find a man during key moments of Saturday's victory, it was Hale who Peyton Ramsey found not once but twice in the end zone. Why so effective? During his time at IU, Hale has quickly evolved, learned the value of his size, creating separation and breaking down coverage. Hale is ultimately becoming a key element to Mike DeBord's upgraded offense in 2018 and at 6-4, 229, should see his stock continue to rise with each passing week this fall. Especially in the redzone.
"He's a big strong dude that can flat out be a mismatch for any DB," Allen said. "I don't care what coverage you play in. He went up and got the ball with some strong hands and positioned his body and did an awesome job. He played the way I expect him to."
Hale's not one to have always had the opportunity to show out in the way he did Saturday. A guy who's been a Swiss army knife for Indiana, Hale was brought in to play quarterback in 2015 but soon clicked as a wide receiver. Because of injury, the last sustainable time for fans to watch Hale was in 2016, when his role expanded but was still limited in contributions behind Simmie Cobbs.
"I've challenged that guy. I believe in him," Allen said. "This is an opportunity for him to rise up and take over and be a guy that they can not cover."
In short, it was absolutely what the Hoosiers needed in order to pull off the win Saturday. Indiana executed in critical moments against FIU, finishing drives with touchdowns rather than field goal attempts. It's a characteristic to keep an eye on as Indiana readies for Virginia this week.
“It’s been a point of emphasis for us to score touchdowns, especially down in the redzone," Ramsey said. "I think we did a good job of that tonight, when we got down there we punched the ball in. It’s good to see what we emphasize get put into action.”
More than anything, Hale's sheer athleticism is now on full display. Hale's touchdown grabs came on 2nd and 4th down, respectively, and in those moments, he effectively created mismatches as the easy go-to for Ramsey, who's working on finding opportunities in his own right.
"He's such a weapon, such a big bodied guy who can go up and take the ball out of the air," Ramsey said. "If you just put it in his radius, he's going to snatch it."
If Hale proves to be a consistent target for the Hoosiers, he will see his role expanded. Based on what was shown Saturday, Hale could certainly lead this team in touchdown receptions. DeBord has more weapons to work with here in 2018, but in the redzone, Hale's arguably the team's best target. It showed Saturday.
(09/02/18 2:31am)
As anticipation boiled over, the 134th season of Indiana Football commenced Saturday night in Miami against FIU with a 38-28 win.
Though the Golden Panthers hung around well into the second half of the season opener, it was the Hoosiers who were able to stay ahead and contribute in all phases. My quick thoughts from Indiana's first performance of 2018:
Keep 'Em Guessing
Dare I say it, but in whatever weird way it needed to happen, Mike DeBord and his offense managed to make it work in game one of the season. Whether it be throwing both Ramsey and freshman Michael Penix interchangeably onto the field, or spreading the wealth (on the night, 10 different Hoosiers caught the ball for positive yardage), it worked.
Bloomington might have another quarterback battle to talk about this fall after all. Peyton Ramsey, efficient in his time on the field tonight, completed 20 of 27, throwing for 156 yards and three touchdowns on the night. Though a first half interception may ever so slightly cloud the sophomore's maiden appearance in 2018, efficiency is something that wasn't evident at all times a year ago, and it's a sign of crucial improvement.
Oh yeah, that Penix guy? We saw him too. Having the freshman at DeBord's disposal this season will be critical once conference play gets underway. Perhaps most importantly, Penix showed no signs of tentative play (as a typical freshman might) and didn't shy away from the lights in his debut, completing 8 of his 10 passes, throwing for 96 yards and a touchdown.
Defense? TBD
I know it's early. Call it harsh. But -- should we be worried about surrendering 28 to FIU? I really don't know, and no one will for at least another few weeks. It remains to be seen how the IU defensive line will handle much tougher tasks during the rest of 2018, but early on, the holes are evident.
Though IU applied the pressure by forcing an early turnover, FIU's Anthony Jones -- one of the quickest guys I've seen out of a college backfield in a long time -- still rushed for as many as 36 yards on a single carry, finding the endzone twice.
On the flip side, the secondary, which will undoubtedly be lead by senior captain Jonathan Crawford, looks much cleaner, and there's a much clearer idea of how that unit will compete this season. Crawford, who returned an interception 33 yards for a score in the first half, appears as fit as ever.
)If that play alone is any indication of how Tom Allen's takeaways will materialize in 2018, Indiana should stay competitive. In facing an unfamiliar FIU unit which included throwing two different quarterbacks at Indiana, there were slips at times. All in all, the secondary handled it well. The way the Hoosier offense clicked tonight didn't hurt, either.
This Running Game Thing Could Work
It seems that regardless of Morgan Ellison's future with the program, IU can do it either way. The Indiana backfield was perhaps the biggest question mark of mine heading into the season opener, but on Saturday night, the Hoosiers proved to make it work with what they've got.
Out of the backfield came the likes of Mike Majette, starter Cole Gest, and maybe the greatest surprise of the night, Stevie Scott, as Indiana totaled for over 200 rushing yards. Regardless of who Tom Allen elects to play under center, the jet sweep, if utilized properly, could be a huge thing for IU all season long. Gest has proven capable not only with the handoff but also in the slot and will certainly need to keep it up moving forward.
(08/03/18 7:21pm)
When the Hoosiers officially break camp today, they’ll do so with a full 110-man roster. On the front line of IU’s defense, the Hoosiers return just two starters from last year’s group in the front seven, linebacker Raekwon Jones and 6-foot-4, 290-pound defensive tackle Jacob Robinson. Indiana replaces eight total men on defense headed into 2018.
“I think it’s huge, and sometimes it gets lost in the numbers when you talk about how many guys are left,” Head Coach Tom Allen said at Thursday’s media day. “There is no question we lost some really good players that are going to be hard to replace.”
Indiana has rising potential on the offensive line, whereas the big men on the defense are just beginning to build everything back up will need to keep up with the same pace. The expectations will remain the same -- incredibly high and production from the defensive line is imperative in 2018. Let’s take a stab at how it’s all about to shake out.
While depth does not lack on the defensive line, raw number of reps in Big Ten action do. To begin camp, three linemen have an abundance of experience and nine linemen on the roster have yet to play a live snap at the collegiate level. But that all could change pretty fast into 2018, as Allen will look to utilize the young depth he has at his disposal.
[embed]https://twitter.com/IndianaFootball/status/1021878255295651840[/embed]
“I don’t think it’ll be much different than what we’ve been doing,” Robinson said at Big Ten media days this summer. “We’ve had a lot of guys ready to play and Coach Hagan does a great job of doing that for us, making sure we’re ready and have enough bodies. We’ll rotate and have fresh guys out there.”
With the departures of so many on the IU defense at the conclusion of last season, Robinson will need to fill up the holes left open as the leader up front after recording seven tackles for loss, four sacks, and a forced fumble in 2017.
Robinson’s leadership over this group will be necessary. He's never been Indiana’s spotlight guy on the defense, but his veteran presence, especially in regard to leading a young and perhaps experienced group, cannot be undersold.
“The way [Head Strength & Conditioning Coach] Ballou goes about things, he tries to put you under so much stress to where he wants to make you try to tap out and quit,” Robinson said. “Having that pressure on you every single day really translates to your mindset going out to play football games -- where we need to finish and where we came up short last year. We now expect to do those things.”
What Robinson and the rest of the defensive line is capable of in terms of production has yet to be seen. The majority of that production may just come from another experienced man upfront, grad transfer defensive tackle Kayton Samuels.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Csp3NrE9S64[/embed]
Samuels comes to Bloomington via Syracuse and may be IU’s biggest physical presence. Standing tall at 6-foot, weighing 319 pounds, he started 24 games, with 34 total appearances, over three seasons for the Orange in the ACC. He collected 44 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss over his time in New York.
“This past journey has been a stressful one for me,” Samuels wrote on Instagram announcing his transfer to Indiana. “Felt like I lost myself without the game. I’m even more grateful for it now. I’m extremely happy to say I’m BACK and I’M BETTER!”
What Robinson is capable of being in the locker room, Samuels can match, if not surpass, on the field. If Robinson can take care of mentoring a young group with great potential, Samuels can pitch in and help with the heavy lifting on the field as the big body in the middle. It might just be the most underrated but effective one-two punch the Hoosiers have to throw at the rest of the Big Ten this year. For a group that has worked in the past by committee, Samuels has the opportunity to not only boost the depth but also become a mainstay, shoring up the defense in 2018 on the front line.
“We always need guys on the defensive line to help us and he’s just another body that will definitely contribute,” Robinson said. “I like how he’s just put his head down and worked since he’s been here and I’m excited for fall camp with him.”
The third and final major piece to Indiana’s D-line puzzle in 2018 comes from someone who missed all of 2017, but has assured Hoosier fans he'll make an immediate impact when September 1st comes, 5th year man Nile Sykes.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njsGATitmbw[/embed]
Sykes name seemed to float around more than any other during Big Ten media days in Chicago, after weightlifting injury to the knee caused him to miss all of last season. He’s now poised for a big time return to playing every Saturday. Frankly, he needs to be as good as he’s been hyped up to be in order to support the D-line which has been left with no choice but to show out this season, after losing nearly all of the top talent.
“I feel great,” Sykes said on Thursday. “I was really impressed with [Athletic Performance Coach] Dr. Rhea and Coach Ballou. I’m as strong as I’ve ever been and I’m ready to show it on the field.”
Sykes is crucial for Indiana this season off the end of the line, rushing the passer as quite possibly Indiana’s speediest defender. Originally coming to Bloomington via transfer from Notre Dame prior to the 2014 season (redshirted), he was a flat-out tank for the Hoosier defense in 2016. Prior to the injury, Sykes played in all 13 games during the 2016 campaign, totaling five sacks, seven tackles for loss, plus a fumble recovery. Expect those numbers to rise this fall.
“Nile’s a guy that helps us with experience and his play on the field is top notch,” Robinson said. “Playing next to him, I love it. He’s a guy that’s going to give you production and make a lot of plays for us so I’m excited to have him back.”
Jacob Robinson can tackle all day. Nile Sykes can run knows how to get off the line. While his impact in Bloomington has yet to be evaluated, Kayton Samuels’ presence alone cannot go unnoticed. Beyond the three, look to junior Allen Stallings (3 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss), redshirt senior Mike Barwick (2 sacks), and rising sophomore Michael Ziemba to fill in some of the gaps.
The task of getting Indiana’s defense to click on all cylinders this season won’t be an easy one. A quick glance at the current lineup might not exactly scream “Big Ten caliber” just yet, but it’s on the way. If this group of Hoosiers in particular can avoid injury bug, all too common in Bloomington, then perhaps a few leaders have an opportunity to emerge, making 2018 a year of progress up front.
(08/01/18 7:00pm)
A season ago, for the first time in his 23-year coaching career, Indiana offensive line coach Darren Hiller was without a single senior in his group. Though the Hoosiers returned three starters, the entire unit totaled just 40 career starts, as that inexperience was reflected in the line’s inability to successfully protect against the best defenses in the Big Ten (the numbers dropped to 152 rush yards per game). With growing pains left behind, this year has the opportunity be different. The Hoosiers return four seniors in the offensive trenches.
“I think anytime your offensive line is considered the strength of your unit, that’s a great thing number one,” head coach Tom Allen said last week at Big Ten media days.
The addition of Miami grad transfer Nick Linder might just be the icing on the cake for what could turn out to be the most improved offensive line in the conference this fall. As questions loom with regard to Indiana’s run game headed into 2018, the Hoosiers will need the improvement up front. In a conference where dictating play at the line means so much, here’s a first glance at what Indiana has up front:
Who We’ve Seen
There shouldn’t be a shortage of returning talent up front for Indiana in 2018, and the Hoosiers will certainly lean on its experienced linemen to not only help create the run game, but also finish games off. If Indiana is to compete with the best in the Big Ten East this season, everything will begin (and end) with the protection this offensive line has the ability to provide.
Redshirt junior Wes Martin will first and foremost be expected to lead the group. Having made 31 career starts, including 25 consecutive starts at left guard, he’s arguably the strongest and toughest football player to come through Bloomington in the recent past. Not convinced? Martin benches 525 pounds, has a max of 425 pounds in the hang clean, and squats in the 600’s. Besides being one of the most talented and physical blockers in the Big Ten, Martin will perhaps be an even greater presence off the field and in the locker room. Now in his fifth year of collegiate ball in Bloomington, Martin had the opportunity to play with and learn from former Hoosier linemen Jason Spriggs (Green Bay Packers) and Dan Feeney (Los Angeles Chargers).
“I’ve learned a lot from them. They just played at such a high level that caught my attention from day one,” Martin said last week. “There’s a lot of small things that I was able to watch them do that I can now do myself -- really taking control of certain situations, pushing guys in certain situations, learning how to handle different scenarios and different situations the right way and to be able to propel the team forward.”
As one of the few bright spots on the line in 2017, Martin recorded the most pass blocking snaps among guards nationally (569) without allowing a sack. Though he finished the season as a Big Ten honorable mention, Martin will tell you he still wasn’t satisfied. As one of Allen’s team captains a season ago, Martin represented the Hoosiers last week in Chicago at the Big Ten’s media days, along with Jonathan Crawford, Jacob Robinson, and Luke Timian. Indiana needs a bounce back year from its offensive line. Through setting an example for his group around him, Wes Martin is the Hoosiers’ best chance of achieving just that.
“Coming off of last year, we had a lot of room to improve,” Martin said. “And that really motivated us and inspired us to put the gas pedal down this offseason. You’re going to see a lot of dominant dudes up front.”
Hunter Littlejohn is another Hoosier who started every game on the line at center for Indiana, a season ago. Though his starting status may be challenged by a new addition in Linder, his veteran leadership accompanied by Martin and senior Brandon Knight will undoubtedly be welcomed.
Named IU’s Offensive Newcomer of The Year in 2015, Knight has battled injury during his time at Indiana but should be ready to go as an every-week starter and leader upfront this fall. While appearing in ten games with eight starts at right tackle a season ago, the idea will be for the senior to contribute as often as possible in the hope of adding depth and seasoned talent to the line.
Revisiting the importance of experience this season, perhaps the line’s greatest advantage headed into 2018 is the sheer number of starts in conference games already under its belt. For proof, look no further than Coy Cronk. The junior left tackle has started 25 consecutive games since arriving in Bloomington, including 13 his freshman year -- a true freshman record for an offensive lineman at Indiana. Following the 2016 season, Cronk was named a 247Sports True Freshman All-American, in addition to being named to ESPN.com and BTN.com’s Big Ten All-Freshman Teams. He's yet another key component of a group that will play with immense poise this fall.
“We’ve got guys who are established, guys who have played together, guys who are comfortable,” Cronk said this past spring. “I think that plays a lot into confidence and how it shows out on the field. It’s been really good for our whole O-line and the entire offense.”
The 6-foot-5, 307-pound lineman is almost certain to start headed into 2018 based on his consistency alone and the awards which have come his way aren’t expected to slow. Cronk will surely be a monster asset in terms of protecting the blindside of whoever is starting at quarterback when September rolls around.
More depth comes in the form of redshirt sophomore Mackenzie Nworah and redshirt junior Simon Stepaniak, who may end up competing for snaps at right guard. Last year, Stepaniak started in all six of the games in which he appeared, and perhaps would have seen action in the other six if it wasn’t for injury. Nworah started six times, appearing in four more, and like so many others on the line, the goal will be health and greater consistency. Most importantly, both are talented, physical, and (now) healthy bodies on the depth chart who will look to hone their skill sets and be productive blockers under the leadership of Martin, Knight, and Cronk.
If the returners on the Hoosiers’ offensive line are going to be as good as they’re expected to be in 2018, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach David Ballou is going to receive a lot of the credit. A former fullback who played in Bloomington in the late 90s, Ballou has worked hard with all position groups from the spring into the summer, working toward creating a more athletic and knowledgeable program at Indiana.
“He’s a great person to work out for, he went to IU, he played football, he’s been through the process that we’re going through right now, and that’s huge,” Martin said. “Having someone like him who’s been through the ringer, who’s grinded it out year after year, we see that and we respect that.”
The remaining holes in the line will most likely be filled at one point or another by the likes of DaVondre Love (R-Jr.), Grayson Stover (R-So.), seasoned veteran Delroy Baker (R-Sr.) and Harry Crider (So.), who backed up Littlejohn at the center position a season ago.
New Kids on The Block
He might be new in Bloomington, but his days in a college uniform are numbered. Graduate transfer Nick Linder, who comes to Indiana via the University of Miami, is one of the primary reasons to be optimistic about this group, as he’ll look to support Wes Martin and Coy Cronk at the top of the chart. Linder was always a part of the process in his time with the Hurricanes, continuously playing meaningful snaps at the center position, starting all 23 games for Miami in 2015 and 2016. During his time in South Florida, Miami ranked 27th nationally in passing offense and fifth nationally in fewest tackles for loss allowed, while sharing third for fewest sacks allowed in the ACC. If nothing less, Linder's presence will provide stability and added depth for a position group often harmed by injuries.
“Right when we got here I tried to bring the guys under my wing a little bit, and just show them the ropes,” Linder said in January. “Obviously it was new for me being in a new location but college football is college football no matter where you’re at.”
The one question still unanswered for the 6’3, 307-pound lineman is health. Linder missed all of last year’s action prior to transferring, in addition to missing the second half of the 2016 season after sustaining a shoulder injury. According to Mike Miller of the Bloomington Herald-Times, Linder underwent surgery on an unspecified injury this past spring, but has since been released and cleared for contact by medical staff -- a full “go” ahead of camp officially breaking this Friday.
“He’ll be there in full contact when we start camp,” Allen told media earlier this week. “He’s another guy that we brought here as a senior from Miami to come in and contribute right away. I fully expect him to do that, whether that’s at center or guard or wherever we need him.”
Even if Linder can’t make it onto the field on September 1st, the Hoosiers can easily throw Hunter Littlejohn or even Harry Crider into a role with confidence. Again -- depth, depth, and even more depth. It’s the name of the game for this revamped crew in 2018.
Beyond Linder, four freshmen who redshirted in 2017 will look to add valuable support and depth. Ryan Smith, walk-on Dominic Altimari, Britt Beery, and most notably Caleb Jones will all compete among one another for their share of reps.
There’s big. Then there’s Caleb Jones big.
At 6-foot-8, weighing 360 pounds, Jones is a force to be reckoned with by his physical stature alone. Locally recruited from Indianapolis (Lawrence North), Jones could get some valuable time on the field following his redshirt season in order to get even bigger. Last season perhaps was even more valuable for Jones to get mentally adjusted to the college game, and being around the guys who will lead this year. Jones played well in Indiana's Spring Game, and the Hoosiers are very high on his potential and size, rightfully so.
“The work that you put in definitely will show up on the field,” Jones said this past spring. “If you’ve been putting in the work in the weight room, if you’ve been putting in the extra reps, it’ll show up in the end.”
The program will also welcome true freshmen Aidan Rafferty (Kensington, MD/Gonzaga College HS) and Nick Marozas (Chicago, IL/Brother Rice).
As far as the offensive line goes, Indiana covers its ground. A balanced mix of talented veterans and promising youth should set up nicely for an aspect of the Indiana program which has struggled to find depth and consistency in the recent past. If all goes to plan, the unit could be a reliable strength for an offense that would certainly benefit.
(07/06/18 5:13pm)
* With eight weeks remaining before Indiana opens its 2018 season at Florida International, The Hoosier Network will be releasing its position previews on a weekly basis every Friday until kickoff. *
Week 1: Quarterbacks
In 2017, Indiana finished 106th nationally in rush offense averaging 131 yards per game. There’s no shortage of competition for playing time, as running backs coach Mike Hart has a plethora of returning talent at his disposal. Indiana returns its entire lineup out of the backfield in 2018 and adds some more depth as well ahead of this fall. If things go according to plan, IU will have both Morgan Ellison and Cole Gest, who have been prone to injury, back at full strength and ready to go for Week 1 in Miami. While Ellison figures to carry the majority of work, it appears that this group will be handled by committee once again. At least five running backs will receive playing time, with varying levels of experience and skillset. Gest and Mike Majette add depth not only out of the backfield but in the passing game, and fifth-year Ricky Brookins can provide veteran leadership presence in the locker room.
“Those guys lost weight,” Hart said of his group this spring. “They got faster, bigger, and stronger, so we’re all moving better. You see it out here on the field and how it translates.”
There are now eight weeks until Indiana opens with Florida International. With both Gest and Majette missing time a year ago, a special amount of attention will be directed towards health, which has undoubtedly been an issue. That starts up front with the team’s new-look strength and conditioning program led by David Ballou and Dr. Matt Rhea. The program emphasizes speed, an obvious requisite for most running backs.
The Hoosier running back corps is the deepest it has been in some time. With at least five guys making legitimate cases for in-game reps, and a new wave of talent as well, the job now becomes how to, and who to, utilize when during the 2018 campaign. We'll start with what we know:
Morgan Ellison, So. 6-1, 225 lbs.
Tagged as the presumed favorite to be taking the majority of reps in 2018, Ellison led the team with six rushing touchdowns and 704 total yards (4.9 yards per carry) a year ago. In his freshman campaign, Ellison was twice named Big Ten Freshman of The Week, after stellar performances against Georgia Southern and Rutgers. Perhaps more notable in 2018 is the sheer number of returners on the Indiana offensive line, all of whom will bring much needed protection to the running backs corps and allow Ellison to use his athletic build to his advantage downfield. Easily IU’s largest back, at 6-foot-1, Ellison is a physical runner who, as just a freshman, proved to be productive in filling a void when presumed starter Majette went down with an injury after five games.
“None of us probably would have predicted he would have that good of a season based off when we took him out of high school,” Head Coach Tom Allen said. “I think we’ll play at a much higher level sooner than maybe anybody would expect.”
Not unlike other position groups for Indiana, the biggest question mark for Ellison has been and continues to be his health. The sophomore continues to battle injury, most recently this past spring when he was seen in a boot, sidelined for the annual Cream & Crimson Game held on April 14th (lower left leg). Indiana could use the sophomore out of the backfield to be healthy in order to stay close and remain competitive in a stacked Big Ten East this fall. Hoosier fans should hope that the program’s newly revamped strength and conditioning will help combat some of that injury risk. Indiana expects Ellison to be completely healthy and ready to go by summer’s end. It will be interesting to see how offensive coordinator Mike DeBord chooses to utilize Ellison in his second year, and that may depend in part on who starts under center for the Hoosiers.
“I just feel like we’re a lot more mature,” Ellison said this past spring. “My mind was racing last year, but now I’m slowing down and letting the game come to me. We’re smarter.”
Many consider Ellison’s first year in Bloomington to have been a success, especially given the circumstances of the program, with a first-year head coach, quarterback, and and emerging as a freshman. The Pickerington, Ohio native will now look to build off that first year when September finally rolls around.
Cole Gest, R-So. 5-8, 194 lbs.
2017 was a year of redemption for Gest, who missed all but 10 rushing opportunities his freshman year, suffering a season-ending injury and receiving a redshirt. He bounced back nicely as the primary backup to Morgan Ellison, rushing for 428 total yards and a touchdown a year ago. That touchdown put the nail in the coffin in Indiana’s 41-0 stomping of Rutgers on November 18th, while Gest rushed a career-high 23 times (104 yards) against the Scarlet Knights.
“I’ve been doing a lot more focusing on myself and just not getting distracted by anything else that in the past might have gotten in my head,” Gest said in March. “I think that’s when you can really make huge strides which I have in the offseason.”
What fans may want to pay the most attention to though would be Gest’s ten catches for 83 yards and a touchdown from 2017. While his smaller physical stature may prevent him from filling the role of a everyday guy who can block and run with the ball, Gest can provide added depth in the slot or even receiving out of the backfield, adding yet another dimension to the passing game. A sturdy back with reliable hands, Gest has already shown his ability to check down in the short game, turn, and run for more (last season, his long was 23 yards). Having Gest as a secondary back who can catch also allows Ellison to stay on the field as more of a pure rusher, while both get reps at the line. If Mike DeBord chooses to utilize Gest in this way, the possibilities are endless, especially if dual-threat transfer Brandon Dawkins starts the season under center for the Hoosiers. Recently named as the program’s most improved offensive player this spring, Gest continues to work into his second full season and may just serve a critical role on IU’s 2018 roster.
“I think that I’m going to be a huge asset to this team and honestly I think Hoosier fans are going to see a completely different player this year,” Gest said. “I feel like my potential is finally getting maxed out the way I know that it can be.”
Mike Majette, Sr. 5-11, 217 lbs.
The would-be starter a year ago had his season ended prematurely after just five games (three starts) with injury -- his second in two seasons. Much in the way Morgan Ellison surprised coaches and fans in Majette’s absence in 2017, Majette can surprise people in a few different ways in his final season with the program, by coming back and being a productive runner, or even as a slot receiver. Majette has been a role player his entire career, going back to his high school days in northern Virginia where he played as a defensive back, quarterback, and wide receiver on different occasions. Majette took more reps at the slot receiver position this past spring and with the amount of competition already evident at this point in the summer for the position in the backfield, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Majette transition to fill a more receiving-heavy role on this roster.
“Everybody’s greedy, and not only are we competing out here, we’re competing in the weight room,” Majette said. “All you gotta do is come out here one day and you can tell the difference.”
In his prior seasons at Indiana, Majette has proven to be a capable athlete who can run as well as he can catch the football, but a transition to the slot just may allow him to maximize his versatility and usefulness, while still running the ball if he’s called upon, provided that Morgan Ellison begins the year as the primary ball rusher out of the backfield. Before his season ended last fall, in five games Majette had 12 receptions good for 90 total yards, while averaging 7.5 yards per reception. Much like Gest’s potential role here in 2018, using Majette in the slot allows a guy like Ellison, or even a secondary rusher, the opportunity to stay on the field and could present some interesting lineups and looks at the line of scrimmage this fall.
Ricky Brookins, R-Sr. 5-8, 191 lbs.
The oldest guy in the room this fall will also look to contribute when called upon. Having redshirted before even seeing the field in a Hoosier uniform, Brookins is coming into his fourth straight year of playing time, looking to go out in a big way. While he doesn’t figure to be the primary back for DeBord's offense, Brookins has participated in every game of his past two seasons, and provides some much-needed depth in the backfield and relief for the primary ball carriers when his opportunities come. In 2017, as a junior, Brookins rushed 11 times for 88 yards with a touchdown while catching 19 passes for 124 more yards, setting career highs in rushing yardage, long rush, catches, and receiving yardage in Indiana’s season-ending loss at Purdue.
“I showed that I can be patient and get better run reads than I used to,” Brookins said of his spring performance. “Overall, I think the coaches know what I can do and the team does, too.”
Having graduated this May, Brookins final year in cream and crimson allows him to focus entirely on his game. More than anything else, Brookins brings the intangibles to the running back corps and really the team and program at large. Already this summer, Brookins helped raise nearly $22,000 for longtime IU equipment manager Matt Stauder, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. By doing so, the veteran is already setting an example, and an expectation, for the new wave of talent at Indiana this season.
“To be honest I’m just filling the role that they need,” Brookins said in late June. “I don’t think anything necessarily needs to change. Obviously I want the ball more and to play more but I’m doing whatever this team needs to win.”
Ronnie Walker Jr., Fr. 5-11, 201 lbs.
Already participating in practice, Walker slides in as the fifth guy who will be looking for reps with the rest of the bunch when the season comes. A two time all-state and all-region selection out of Hopewell High School in Virginia, Walker led the way en route to a state title in 2017, rushing for 1,344 yards on 216 carries with 19 touchdowns, averaging an astounding 89.6 yards per game. Walker, like Brookins, provides much appreciated balance, depth, and stability, but must prove himself at the college level.
“As soon as I came in, they all loved on me,” Walker said. “As soon as we got in the weight room we started working hard, they all motivated me and helped me compete with one another. It’s a great atmosphere.”
Receiving offers from the likes of Michigan State, North Carolina, and Purdue, Walker was as the No. 21 running back nationally (247Sports) and is widely considered to be a massive get for Tom Allen’s first complete recruiting class. Walker wasted no time, committing to Indiana last August, and enrolled this past spring, showing his motivation and willingness to get involved as soon as he possibly could. In just a semester’s time, Walker has quickly taken his place as the young guy in the group who’s ready to work. The impact of the Hoosiers’ strength and conditioning team can’t be understated; since being on campus Walker has put on 16 pounds of muscle, going from 184 to a little over 200 pounds. As muscular and physical as he is quick to evade defenders, Walker is just starting to develop at the college level and has the ability to make a lasting impact on Indiana’s offensive system. Don’t expect Walker to catch a ton of balls if he plays this fall, but it’s not to say the nimble freshman isn’t an excellent fit for the Hoosiers, who have needed a playmaker at the running back position since the days of Jordan Howard and Devine Redding.
“It means a lot to me to come in early, take this advantage, and to showcase my skills, letting coaches know that I am here for that spot and I am here to make big plays,” Walker said.
(05/13/18 12:25am)
Initially, it seemed as if yet another delay would help the Hoosiers’ cause.
Down 3-0 to No. 2 Minnesota in the fifth inning, No. 3 Indiana softball plated four runs in the fifth inning to take the lead, following the third weather delay of the weekend at the Big Ten tournament in Madison, Wisconsin.
Unfortunately, Hoosier pitcher Tara Trainer was roughed up in her final two innings of work in the circle as Indiana fell to Minnesota 9-4 in Saturday's Big Ten semifinal matchup.
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"I'm really proud, we battled back in and took the lead 4-3," IU coach Shonda Stanton said. "Minnesota just kept taking their hacks and we didn't make enough plays defensively. That's part of the game, they were the better team today."
Trainer started the semifinal as expected, but couldn't get through two innings for Indiana, and allowed Minnesota to jump out to an early 2-0 lead on a two-RBI single in the second inning.
It was an uncharacteristic start for the junior ace, who had been much more reliable for Indiana down the stretch in the last five games, with a 2.51 ERA and averaging four strikeouts per start.
Primarily relieved by sophomore Emily Goodin (one earned run, two hits, one strikeout in 2.2 innings pitched), Trainer re-entered the game in the fifth with the lead and was set to finish the job.
She continued to be wild, issuing five walks on the day, unable to lock down and find her spot in the strike zone at any point against the Gophers.
Indiana's offense entered the 5th inning 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position, but battled all day and kept themselves close with Minnesota.
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Taylor Uden, Maddie Westmoreland, and Katie Lacefield all contributed to a four-run fifth inning in order to keep pace with perhaps the hottest team in the Big Ten. Even headed to the 6th trailing by a single run, it looked as if Indiana would have another chance to get back in front, but Minnesota remained relentless, capitalizing on Trainer’s mistakes over the plate.
It wasn’t just a select few but the entire Gophers lineup that found ways to pitch in. In the end, the Gophers found a way to score five unanswered runs, backed by a solid closing effort in the circle from Sydney Smith.
Trainer finished the day allowing eight runs on eight hits and issued just one strikeout in her 3.1 innings of work.
Where does Indiana go from here?
One win short of the program’s first-ever appearance in a conference championship, it’s still clear to see that this 2018 team is capable of competing among the best in the postseason.
Take the way the Hoosiers have handled the two best pitchers in the Big Ten, Michigan’s Meghan Beaubien and Minnesota’s Amber Fiser, as a prime example of such. If anything, the competition this weekend has proven that any team can win the Big Ten championship, with top seed Michigan going out early to No. 8 Michigan State and No. 5 Ohio State losing to No. 12 Iowa.
"This group has completely changed the face of Indiana Softball in a matter of really a month and a half," Stanton said. "Not only were we so competitive in the Big Ten, but this group believed on the inside that we could come away with a title."
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Because of Indiana's sub-.500 record and high RPI at the end of its postseason run, the Hoosiers could not be selected for an NCAA tournament berth. Michigan, Ohio State, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Minnesota, the eventual Big Ten tournament champion, will all represent the conference in this year's NCAA regionals.
(05/09/18 9:19pm)
With a small smile and a tinge of excitement in her voice, Indiana Softball Head Coach Shonda Stanton said it herself on February 28th.
“It may get worse before it gets better, I’ll be honest," Stanton said. "But I tell you what, if we stay the course and continue to focus on culture and we start building things, the month of April is going to be something special. I really believe it.”
This wouldn’t be her first rodeo, but it absolutely would be her first in Bloomington - with perhaps a more diverse group of players than she had ever previously seen in her decades worth of coaching. It’s a diverse group that found a way to come together.
Despite differences and despite being told to change the way they think about, act toward, and play the game of softball, in order to somehow turn the page over in 2018.
70 days later and just hours before her first-year team enters postseason play in Madison, Wisconsin, the message remains the same.
Since day one for IU, it’s been about a process, and the buy-in and trust, which has come from every single player on Indiana’s roster in 2018. It has allowed a dream to now become a sudden reality.
It may sound overly simplistic, but getting athletes, especially younger ones who compete at the collegiate level, to understand the importance of buying in to a program and its values is perhaps the most difficult task any head coach can be charged with. The weight it carries cannot be overestimated, perhaps even more so with a first-year head coach.
In her first year at Indiana, Stanton has managed to succeed in doing so.
Stanton’s resume alone set program expectations soaring at the outset of the spring season. As a proven leader of young women who came to IU after setting numerous program and NCAA records in her 18-year tenure with Marshall, Stanton has continuously spoken to the importance of the 2018 season in terms of not only immediate success, but setting a foundation for years to come.
According to Stanton, whether her program would be “built on bedrock or sand” rested on the belief of the group she was presented with upon arriving in Bloomington.
The resting potential of an offense that was given hope a year ago by a flashy freshman from Floyds Knobs, Indiana. A pitching staff that knew they had something else to prove in 2018. A new crop of freshmen who would end up making a huge difference on the base-paths alone. A group of senior veterans providing leadership upfront, beginning with none other than Rebecca Blitz.
From this diverse group of incredibly distinct yet incredibly motivated athletes rose an improbable turnaround and perhaps the most dramatic season-long comeback Hoosier fans have witnessed in recent history.
You’ve probably heard it by now: a 4-19 start in the non-conference preseason gave way to a conference record which was at one point as good as 15-2, following a doubleheader sweep of Purdue in West Lafayette.
(04/14/18 3:43am)
Indiana Head Coach Chris Lemonis summed it up best.
“It’s like the world’s lifted off you when you get some hits like that.”
Fatigued and 16 innings deep into Friday’s doubleheader, it’s what just about every Hoosier was feeling when finally, things changed.
With two outs in the eighth, sophomore Jeremy Houston broke through for Indiana, starting what quickly turned into a huge five-run comeback inning, securing a 6-3 victory in the second of two games against Northwestern.
“It’s all about confidence,” Houston said. “Even though we didn’t have the greatest second game, we still played our game and all we could do was fight.”
And fought they did.
(03/02/18 9:26pm)
INDIANAPOLIS -- Less than 24 hours after its most dramatic win in recent history, Indiana will retake the court to face No. 2 Maryland inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
The obvious obstacle that looms large for IU? What all athletes dread after such a physical performance like Indiana’s last night -- fatigue. Fatigue brought on by a game that took Indiana and Michigan State to four periods of overtime and which both seniors Tyra Buss and Amanda Cahill played 60 minutes of basketball.
“We’ve been talking a lot during the week about making the season count the most and just working together,” Cahill said.
And Thursday, worked together they did.
While Buss struggled to find her shot Thursday (8-of-26) -- Cahill, along with a host of other Hoosiers, was there to pick up the slack when IU needed it most. Cahill was consistently impressive, shooting 14-of-20 from the field en route to a career-high 38 points on the night.
“That’s what seniors do and that’s what you expect them to do,” head coach Teri Moren said. “We’ve talked about their sense of urgency with the season winding down and playing in the tournament. Amanda was really great tonight and we needed her to be.”
In an uncharacteristic performance for IU’s senior leader, Buss fought to find other ways to contribute.
“When my shot’s not falling, I can’t get down on myself because I can’t let my teammates see me like that,” Buss said. “I just have to find a way to help the team in other ways. Whether that’s rebounding, whether that’s assists, or finding the open player.”
The Hoosiers will hope to leave any thoughts of team weakness aside and instead look to last night’s performance as a source of motivation and belief for tonight’s matchup against Maryland.
“The first game’s always the toughest and once you get that first game you have a little bit of momentum and hopefully our kids have some confidence,” Moren said.
Indiana has played back-to-back days on two separate occasions already this season in late November (defeated UAB, lost to St. Mary’s) and December (lost to Missouri, lost to Virginia). Despite the losses, the Hoosiers handled recovering well and individual performances didn’t appear to be hindered in any significant way. Surely going up against Maryland tonight will be a different beast altogether, but the Hoosiers knows what ensues.
“It’s a great opportunity we have against a really good Maryland team,” Moren said. “We lost a close one to them in D.C. I think our kids are eager just for another opportunity to play together and be together.”
The Hoosiers are coming off a 60 minute game and less than 24 hours’ rest. Maryland hasn’t played a game since Sunday.
To help counter that inherent advantage, Indiana will need to play similar to the way they did last time the two programs met, back on January 16th in College Park. Cahill and Penn went for 18 points apiece, followed by Buss’s 14 in a 74-70 win for the Terps. Most importantly, IU played Maryland close the whole way and relatively contained Maryland’s Kaila Charles and Eleanna Christinaki.
Maryland has been streaky down the stretch, losing three straight to Purdue, Minnesota, and Michigan before Sunday’s win over Nebraska.
Of course it’s a challenge, but then again, so goes everything for Indiana this year; fighting adversity has been the message. If tonight’s set of circumstances doesn’t define adversity, nothing can.
“Obviously we started rough in the Big Ten and then we went on that 8 game winning streak, it just shows our growth,” Buss said. “Coming in with five freshmen and only having two seniors and four returners, it’s could’ve went either way.”
With the added adversity following last night’s quadruple overtime finish -- and an even tougher test now against one of the conference’s best -- Friday's meeting may serve as an accumulation for that growth.
“It’s going to be pure adrenaline,” Moren said. “They’re a little fatigued but I think once the ball goes up, the adrenaline will kick in and we’ll be fine.”
(03/01/18 8:24pm)
Indiana Women’s Basketball, who received the #7 seed in the 2018 Big Ten tournament, faces #10 Michigan State tonight at 6:30 inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Here’s what everyone should be keeping an eye on as the Hoosiers look to make a postseason run.
Third Time’s The Charm?
The Hoosiers and Spartans have already faced off twice this year, splitting the season series at a game apiece. MSU easily handled Indiana in Bloomington at the beginning of the conference season. Then, Indiana went into East Lansing and played perhaps its best first half of basketball all year and held on late to beat Sparty. However, this third tiebreaker meeting will be different.
Indiana should expect an even tougher test with Michigan State’s roster back at full strength tonight. The Hoosiers had the benefit of not having to deal with Shay Colley in East Lansing and Taryn McCutcheon was also sidelined for the second half of that game.
“She’s great off the bounce, really good off the dribble,” IU head coach Teri Moren said when referring to Colley. "It’s a different team completely when you have Colley and McCutcheon in the mix. It gives them more balance.”
Colley has led the way for Michigan State averaging 11 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Containing her added presence will be essential to an IU victory in Indy tonight.
Tyra Buss vs. Taryn McCutcheon
A storyline all will be following carefully tonight is that regarding Buss's ability to matchup with the potent play of sophomore McCutcheon.
While it wasn’t something Buss and the Hoosiers had to worry about during their win in East Lansing, Indiana will undoubtedly have to be ready for the task. Buss and the rest of Indiana’s defense will need to lock on to McCutcheon, as the homegrown guard presents a threat even from beyond the arc.
“She’s a little smaller and kind of reminds me of myself,” Buss said. “I just have to make sure that she doesn’t get going because once she does, the rest of the team has that confidence.”
Indiana Playing with Additional Urgency
The Big Ten tournament hasn’t been kind to the Hoosiers in their two previous appearances, having been upset by #12 Northwestern in 2016 and then getting stung by rival Purdue in a 66-60 comeback win just a year ago.
In both instances, IU received a double bye and was forced to await an opponent. This time around, the Hoosiers will have been certain of their opponent all week long. Indiana will have to remain focused and maintain energy in this unique environment. If there’s anyone who understands what’s on the line this weekend in Indy, it’s Teri Moren’s group.
“We control our energy and our effort,” Moren said. “We’re too far into this thing to come up with an excuse for why we can’t win games.”
Moreover, the Hoosiers will likely need to win not just one but multiple games this week to be considered for an NCAA tournament berth later this month. For Indiana, it’s something they’re well aware of, but it won’t take away the focus of the present objective: first beating Michigan State tonight.
“If we want to do what we had set out to accomplish this year, then we have to go to Indianapolis and win ball games,” Moren said. “The winning will take care of itself.”
And if that’s not enough on the line, it’s the last postseason run for the two who have led this team all year long and for the past four seasons. Indiana’s time left with Buss and Amanda Cahill is short, and IU should wish to capitalize on an opportunity to make a run this weekend and potentially in the NCAA tournament.
This year’s Big Ten tournament in Indy is perhaps more open and unpredictable than ever before. An opportunity unlike any other for this program should make for an exciting evening and an exciting weekend of basketball at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
(02/07/18 2:59pm)
“Team 45.”
It’s not just the 45th team in the history of Indiana Softball. And it’s not just how Shonda Stanton has been referring to the group she’ll coach in her first year at Indiana. It’s bigger than that.
It’s a metaphor for change -- a representation of not just a new beginning with a new head coach, but a completely new age of softball at IU.
Where expectations have risen and anything less than giving 110-percent is recognized as simply unacceptable.
Stanton comes from excellence, and she’s now bringing it to Indiana.
Compiling over 500 wins in an 18-year career at the helm of Marshall University’s program, Stanton took the Thundering Herd to five conference championships. She also guided Marshall to its first ever NCAA tournament appearance in 2013 and made a second appearance last season. (Indiana’s last two tournament berths? 2011 and 2006.)
“We want to be a program that’s ranked top 25 academically, and the same thing athletically,” Stanton said last week. “We want to win in all three phases -- in the classroom, on the field, and in the community.”
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These new expectations and changes brought in 2018 boil down to what Stanton calls “competitive excellence.” It’s one of the many mantras the accomplished head coach has already instilled in the minds of her players. She’ll get to coach one of the more experienced groups in program history too, led by a strong squad of returning upperclassmen.
In addition to a tremendous amount of potential for an offense led by senior outfielder Rebecca Blitz, the Hoosiers will return nearly their entire starting rotation from 2017, with the likes of Emily Kirk and Tara Trainer leading the way.
Josie Wood, who sat out 2017 because of injury, will also be a force to be reckoned with inside the circle as she returns this spring.
“We’re excited about the depth we have," Stanton said. "(Trainer and Wood) can be All-Big Ten performers, and they’re our hardest workers in the weight room. It’s going to be fun to hand them the game ball."
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Perhaps most importantly of all, Stanton carries a key mental element into 2018 that was missing from teams in previous years at IU: self-confidence.
For Indiana’s new leader, it’s never been about what you can do as a team, but what you believe you’re capable of doing.
Still, the challenge for IU this year will be getting the team, especially upperclassmen like Blitz, up to speed and on board with what this program is now all about.
“I think we’ve just really had to adjust to the pace of everything," Blitz said. "Everything's so much quicker and we’re learning a lot of new concepts and just really emphasizing our skills and how we can be better players. We’re just picking up our intensity and trying to take our game to the next level.”
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The Hoosiers’ attitude on the basepaths this spring will be one of the most immediate and visible examples of such an impact. Aggressive baserunning was something Stanton was known for in her time at Marshall and one can only expect it to be the same way now at IU.
“It’s going to take some time, but we have enough speed to have the mentality," Stanton said. "It’s about a mindset. Whether we have top speed or not, we can bring that swagger to the table. You can’t put a stat on the pressure that you put on defense.”
Blitz, who has accumulated 176 hits and 43 RBI in her three seasons, will be one to steal many of those bases this spring, while playing alongside fellow leaders in senior first baseman Taylor Uden and sophomore utility player Gabbi Jenkins.
As an instrumental component of the program in 2018, Blitz will set the tempo at the top of the lineup.
“It’s really exciting because we know we have the potential to do big things in the Big Ten and in the postseason as well,” Blitz said. “It’s exciting because we have so much experience and we’re learning so much from Coach Stanton that we can take to the next level.”
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It’s undoubtedly a radical change to the face of this program, but a radical change for the better. Over the past nine seasons, IU Softball has gone 194-287-1 overall while going 73-121 in the Big Ten. For a team that has failed to reach the third round of its conference tournament in over a decade, a change comes at the perfect time.
IU will be battle-tested from the start, opening 2018 with a 23-game road stretch before even playing a game in Bloomington.
“It tells you a lot about your team and how you operate,” Stanton said. “Just like everything, we want to win the day even when we’re traveling. We’re on a professional road trip. We’re getting this team to learn how to compete and fight in a five-game weekend.”
The goal for Indiana is clear and IU has a real opportunity to gain back relevance and a competitive edge in the Big Ten and in the national landscape.
“This is a special place and that’s what excited me about coming here," Stanton said. "I feel like it’s that sleeping giant that just needs to be woken up. You’ve got to know where you came from. There’s teams before you, there’s going to be teams after you and you want to leave it better than you got it.”
Indiana will begin its 2018 season Friday at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, AZ.