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(09/18/18 10:57pm)
After a dominating 38-10 win over Ball State, the Hoosiers have ended their non-conference slate with a perfect 3-0 record. A lot to dissect from Saturday's win. Ben, Teddy and Connor dive into it all with Big Ten play starting this week.
(09/18/18 1:07am)
Hello again for another Monday notebook -- probably the least eventful Monday we've had thus far in 2018. I suppose that might keep you from reading any further, whoops, but it's a good opportunity to look at a new, and underrated aspect of college football. Tom Allen, Mike DeBord, and select players spoke of Indiana's 38-10 win vs. Ball State and its preparation for Michigan State on Saturday night:
24 Freshmen, 1 Indiana
It's no secret how young Indiana is, we've documented that immensely through the first three weeks of the season. Indiana is the 19th-youngest team in the country, and fourth-youngest in the Big Ten. Through a fourth of the season, Allen has played 24 freshmen -- 12 true, 12 redshirt. It's more than usual for a variety of reasons: first, these freshmen have been recruited by Allen himself, not Kevin Wilson. Second, the Hoosiers are very happy with their last two classes and unlike in past years, do not feel the same risk with playing them early. And lastly, the NCAA's new redshirt rule has allowed Allen to sprinkle his freshmen into certain situations -- while still maintaining the possibility of extending their eligibility by a year. He expects the number (24) to grow as the season moves forward.
"That's really where I think you're going to see the true benefit of the rule," Allen said Monday. "Is to be able to maximize those guys late in the season. They may not have been ready to help you in the beginning, but they may play on offense, defense, for certain snaps, still be able to keep the redshirt. That to me will play itself out here the next several weeks."
12 true freshmen have played, and Allen said Monday that he expects seven or eight of those to "keep on rolling." I'd suspect a few are set in stone: Michael Penix, Reese Taylor, Stevie Scott, Ronnie Walker, James Head, Matt Bjorson, Devon Matthews, Cam Jones, Micah McFadden I suppose that is nine right there -- but who knows with the likes of Penix/Head and potential injuries. The list could certainly grow, especially if Allen's freshmen keep playing well. It's a good problem to have, although the Big Ten season could limit how far Allen goes down his depth chart. Head (injury) and Walker played in their first games against Ball State, so they still have three remaining, while Penix has two. It's something to keep an eye on -- how much Allen values a long-term strategy of extending the stays of a very talented freshman class ... compared to winning now. I've been covering Indiana for the last four seasons, and I've never seen this many true freshmen become staples in their various rotations so early. But for the sake of long-term benefit, the Hoosiers will likely hold some back.
For the sake of clarification, if Taylor, Scott, Bjorson, McFadden, or Matthews play against Michigan State and then Rutgers, they will all be sophomores in 2019. The rest have more games remaining. They can play up to four and maintain the ability to redshirt.
"There's another quarter of them, three or four, we'll see what we do with them moving forward," Allen said of his true freshmen. "There's some guys we've already said, you know what, probably going to be redshirting those guys. That can change. There's still going to be opportunities."
Indiana's 2019 class is shaping up to be even more impressive, at least on paper, than its last. I would suspect that the Hoosiers will not *have* to play this many true freshmen in 2019 because of how young they are in 2018 -- so technically, IU will benefit more from the NCAA's new redshirt rule next season. Restocking and keeping players around an extra year is vital for the growth of any program, as collegiate strength and conditioning is leaps and bounds above anything in high school.
Weekly Injury Update
It's remarkable how much healthier Indiana is this season than last. Still early, of course, and not suffering a torn ACL on the opening kickoff was already improvement. Aside from Cole Gest's season-ending injury against Florida International, the Hoosiers do not have a long-term injury, that we know of. Right guard Mackenzie Nworah was not dressed for Ball State, and will miss Saturday's game, Allen said Monday. The Hoosiers hope to get him back in the next two weeks, or so, for offensive line depth. Defensive end Gavin Everett, walk-on turned scholarship, also did not dress for Ball State but was a game-time decision. Allen said he expects Everett to suit up on Saturday night, an important addition to a defensive line that played its best game against Ball State.
"I've not been here very long," Allen said. "In the few years I've been here, this is the healthiest we've been going in ... "I do think it's a variable. I know injuries are always that age-old question of how do you prevent them, nobody wants them. They're always going to be there in some form or fashion. We definitely focused on doing things in our preparation that would limit soft tissue injuries. Purchased different mechanisms for that. The guys have bought into it. Even part of their diet, as well, some things we try to emphasize, their hydration. Those all go into that part of your body."
That is all for injuries, and while it's very much the luck of the draw, Indiana's revamped strength and conditioning program likely deserves some credit here as well. David Ballou and Dr. Matt Rhea have both spoke of the importance of limiting soft tissue injuries, and the Hoosiers have done that early on. I asked J-Shun Harris if he had any insight on why Indiana is markedly healthier this season, and he said my guess was as good as his was -- but definitely attributed the new conditioning program as well.
"Injuries can't be prevented completely," Allen stated. "But there's no question that we are currently experiencing less than we had a year ago, and that's a good thing. Hurt us last year. Got to continue to have that."
Quick Look at Michigan State
On paper, I thought Michigan State would be a potential Big Ten champion. I still think that. But the first two weeks have not been impressive for the Spartans -- squeaking by Utah State at home, and then losing to an Arizona State team that laid an egg against San Diego State last week. But there is no doubting that an Indiana win on Saturday night would be an impressive upset -- and the Spartans have a few advantages in this matchup.
"They're really good again this year," Allen said of Michigan State. "Haven't given up hardly any rushing yards all, stingy down in the red zone. The expectation is we got to score touchdowns when we get down there. You don't beat a team like this kicking field goals."
First, Michigan State is coming off an early bye week, giving Mark Dantonio more time to prepare for Indiana and work on its defensive flaws that showed in the first two weeks of the season. Indiana will be facing its most proven quarterback to date in Brian Lewerke, its most proven running back in L.J. Scott, and a group of receivers in 6-foot-3 Cody White and 6-foot-2 Darrell Stewart, along with 6-foot-6 senior tight end Matt Skol. It's a handful, and A'shon Riggins said Monday that he expects the usual Michigan State team that runs the ball well, and then tries to catch you off-guard with deep passes over the top.
But fortunately for Indiana, the Hoosiers are dealing with a very similar team that beat them, 17-9, in East Lansing last season. IU hasn't claimed the Old Brass Spittoon at home in consecutive attempts since 1991 and 1993. While Michigan State has dominated this series, the last few meetings have been incredibly close and relatively low-scoring. Not to get ahead of things here, but an IU upset would give the Hoosiers a solid chance at starting 5-0 with lowly Rutgers the week following. I'd have to dig through the record book for the last time Indiana started 5-0 -- as the Hoosiers have only began 4-0 in six seasons ... dating back to 1990 for the last time it included a Big Ten game. I've seen questions from fans wondering if Indiana would be ranked at 5-0 going into Columbus. I'm inclined to say yes, but it would be close.
My apologies for the hypothetical. Indiana appeared very focused Monday with Michigan State. I'll write later this week about that, and how the Hoosiers feel a chip on their shoulder after last season's game. In a crowded Big Ten East, I get the sense that Indiana sees Michigan State as a program it can potentially overtake in the future. But you have to consistently beat those programs to accomplish that.
"We have to play great defense," Allen said. "We're still developing and growing. We are going to have to play our best game of the season, have our best week of preparation, execute at the highest level in all three phases.
Talk to you all, casually, next Monday.
(09/15/18 10:10pm)
A season ago, Tom Allen stood at his postgame podium and admitted that his team's depth was not where it needed to be. The Hoosiers suffered multiple injuries early in the season and Allen was in the midst of recruiting his first class as Indiana's head coach.
Fast-forward to Saturday's 38-10 domination of Ball State, and Allen is encouraged with IU's depth and ecstatic about his freshman class.
"I just think it's a long list of guys that we've got," Allen said postgame. "And almost too many for me to even think of off the top of my head. They're guys we're going to need, and they had to grow up fast. They're not true freshmen anymore. They've already played three games. So they're veterans."
There are very few, if any, sure-things with this Indiana program -- not a season opener at Florida International, a swim meet against Virginia, or a pesky in-state opponent in Ball State. After a resounding 38-10 win against the Cardinals on Saturday, the Hoosiers have passed all three tests. Indiana began playing football in 1887, and the Hoosiers are 3-0 for only the 17th time in school history.
Indiana finished off its navigation of a tricky non-conference slate with its most impressive victory of the season. Saturday's win was efficient and complete. Ball State marched down the field on the game's opening possession for a field goal, and IU responded with 31 unanswered points. On a day when multiple Big Ten teams struggled, Indiana did not. Peyton Ramsey was as smart as a quarterback can be. Stevie Scott backed up last weekend's heroics with another 100-yard game. Fellow true freshman Ronnie Walker Jr. may have just emerged behind him, and J-Shun Harris announced his comeback from his third ACL tear with an electrifying 86-yard punt return score.
"Huge to get the first three," Allen said postgame. "And really proud of the way we did it. The way the offense did some great things week one. Defense really came back, week two, sealed the win. Week three all three phases came together and played well. So that's what you've got to do, so that has to continue."
Allen knows how brutal his schedule is about to be. In the next three weeks, Indiana faces Michigan State and Ohio State -- with Rutgers sandwiched in between. There are indeed eight wins on this schedule, and Indiana could reach its ceiling with the depth and talent it showed against Ball State.
There was a point in Saturday's win where Indiana featured the most offensive speed in recent memory -- with Reese Taylor at running back and J-Shun Harris and Whop Philyor at receiver with Michael Penix at quarterback. Ramsey has an abundance of versatile weapons at his disposal, making life easier for the now-seasoned redshirt sophomore. Ramsey completed 20-of-27 passes for 173 yards.
Penix, meanwhile, entered on the second drive of the second half and proved again to be a competent second-option behind Ramsey. Walker scored from 18 yards out on his first collegiate carry to give Indiana a 31-3 lead midway through the third quarter. There are available carries behind Scott, and Walker appears to be a viable option.
"I just feel like a guy like Ronnie came here and had a little bit of hype coming in," Allen said. "In some ways, a lot of the stuff was overwhelming for him. So it's great to see him settle in and really kind of show the twitch and the burst and the balance that you saw in high school. He's running with that confidence."
On the defensive side of the ball, true freshman defensive end James Head (two tackles, one for loss) flashed his potential in his first action for the Hoosiers. Indiana's defense bent, but did not break on Saturday. At linebacker, there are suddenly options with Dameon Willis, Micah McFadden, Thomas Allen, T.D. Roof, and the continued emergence of Raekwon Jones.
"It gets guys to have a break and remain fresh," Jones said. "Ultimately it gives everyone a lot of experience, so when it comes late in the season, you don't have to worry about someone who hasn't played. It creates momentum."
The tests will get tougher, starting on Saturday night in prime time against the Spartans. Indiana's defense will have to play better than it did in Week 1, its offense better than it did in Week 2. But if the Hoosiers can replicate the formula shown against Ball State, IU might have the depth to upset.
"This freshman class is extremely talented. They're a group of great kids and really dedicated to this. They came in day one wanting to learn and wanting to get on the field. That's just one reason why they're out there. They do everything it takes and have really stepped up. It's important that they keep stepping up because we're going to keep throwing them out there."
(09/15/18 5:36pm)
Indiana leads Ball State 24-3 after a very efficient and workmanlike first half from the Hoosiers. Here are a few of my thoughts at the break:
Is IU's offense unstoppable?
It sure looks like it. It's not even a matter of the results, but the weapons Indiana has at its disposal. Sure, it's three games in and this header is a hyperbole -- but the Hoosiers appear to have their best offense since Nate Sudfeld and Jordan Howard were moving the chains in 2015. First things first, Peyton Ramsey has played yet another smart half of football. At the break, he's 20-of-25 for 173 yards -- and has made the correct decision on almost every play. Ball State has allowed Indiana to dink-and-dunk its way down the field, but there's been no shortage of big plays as well. Whop Philyor took a jet sweep for 29 yards, freshman tight end Matt Bjorson caught a beautifully lofted ball for 22 more ... and yeah, there's J-Shun Harris, who I'll get to in a minute.
All in all, and I'm sure I'll write about this postgame, but it's been a first half that you'd expect from a Big Ten school. Ball State was picked to finish last in the MAC West and is 1-15 in the MAC since 2016. Yes, the Cardinals have showed fight early on in 2018 -- but they're clearly inferior on paper to the Hoosiers. And IU has made that very apparent early on, something that is worth noting. Ball State has, indeed, won three of the last four matchups in this series.
There are three Big Ten teams losing to inferior opponents at halftime (Maryland vs. Temple ... Rutgers at Kansas ... and Nebraska to Troy). Indiana is not one of them, and it hasn't been close.
One last nugget on random offensive happenings -- Ronnie Walker Jr. saw his first action in the second quarter at running back. The true freshman didn't record a carry or catch a pass, but he played -- I swear! Fellow true freshman Stevie Scott (9 carries, 45 yards) will need some help there, at some point, and Walker could be the guy. It seems Indiana wants to limit Majette to blocking and receiving, so there are carries up for grabs. And it sure doesn't look like they'll be going to Ricky Brookins. Walker has an opportunity to emerge behind Scott.
Defensive Stands
It hasn't been a beautiful first half from Indiana's defense, but Ball State's only managed a field goal, so obviously it can't be that bad. Ball State marched down the field early on, including a field goal on its opening possession. The Cardinals also missed a 48-yarder. No takeaways thus far for the Hoosiers, but they've dug deep when needed. Indiana's defensive line has also managed more pressure against Ball State quarterback Riley Neal than they have against Florida International and Virginia .... possibly combined. Neal has not been able to throw deep, he's 9-of-18 for 73 yards and his longest pass is 13 yards. If Ball State comes back in this game, it'll be because Neal has time and space to throw deep ... and the Hoosiers struggle to contain him on the ground. Either or.
J-Shun Back
Three ACL tears can't stop, nor slow down J'Shun Harris. Indiana's punt returner took an 85-yard punt return to the house to give Indiana a 17-3 lead in the second quarter. It's Harris' third-career punt return for a touchdown, which ties the program record. Sure, it's Ball State, and yeah, Harris appears to only be taking punt returns for the Hoosiers, but it's an element of the game that IU really benefited from last season before his injury.
Indiana also blocked a Ball State punt, and nearly blocked the one Harris took for a score. After Harris got past two Ball State defenders, he practically waltz into the endzone with four IU teammates surrounding him, and only the BSU punter to beat. Like I said, it's something to keep an eye on. Harris, no matter what, is a game-changer when it comes to punts. If he stays healthy and provides field position during 2018, it's an added dimension to an already impressive IU attack.
(09/13/18 11:12pm)
After a 2-0 start to the season, the Hoosiers close out their non conference slate with a visit from the Ball State Cardinals. Teddy and Ben are joined this week by Ryan O'Gara of the Muncie Star Press to break down the Cardinals after giving Notre Dame a scare last week. Can the Hoosiers start the season 3-0?
(09/11/18 12:24am)
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The Hoosiers got a big win Saturday night in the rain over the Virginia Cavaliers. The game was highlighted by the rushing attack and emergence of Stevie Scott who almost broke the freshman record for rushing yards in a single game. Teddy, Ben and Connor recap the week that was in Indiana football.
(09/10/18 7:36pm)
For junior linebacker Reakwon Jones, everything changed after Indiana saw its season end to Purdue a year ago.
In 2017, Jones wasn’t confident. His role was understandably limited. Jones played sparingly behind two All-Americans in Tegray Scales and Chris Covington -- appearing in ten games but making only seven tackles.
Knowing that both Scales and Covington were graduating and heading to the NFL, Jones got to work immediately after the Boilermakers reclaimed the Old Oaken Bucket in a 31-24 win that spoiled Indiana’s goal for a third consecutive bowl appearance. He knew Indiana needed to replace its linebackers, and head coach Tom Allen challenged him to take the next step.
“He never had to say anything directly to me,” Jones said. “I knew as soon as that Purdue game was over, it was a challenge to find the next great linebacker here at Indiana. Is he in this room already or do we have to go get him? I felt that challenge. He said that we had to replace a lot on defense and I just took it and ran with it. After that game, during Christmas break, I worked my butt off to grow and get better.”
Jones isn’t a new face in Bloomington. In fact, Allen said Monday that he re-watched IU’s game against Ball State in 2016, where Jones played only four or five snaps. After committing to Indiana as a 3-star recruit from Florida, this is his fourth season with the Hoosiers. But he redshirted as a true freshman in 2015 and played special teams a year later. Last season, he was in the rotation as a backup. Now, however, he’s filling the shoes of all-time greats in Scales and Covington.
Allen thought he could have been better since he arrived, even as recent as the season opener against Florida International.
“Tegray is gone now,” Allen said of his conversations with Jones. “You've been sitting in his shadows for a couple seasons and now you have to rise up and meet that challenge and he's responded. He had a great spring and really gained a lot of confidence and but didn't really play well week one. We challenged him about that. I thought he was a much better player in week two than he was week one. The kind of player that I saw this spring.”
In Saturday’s 20-16 win against Virginia, Allen chose Jones to spy and shadow dual-threat quarterback Bryce Perkins -- who ran for 123 yards against the Hoosiers after sprinting for 108 more against Richmond. Those yardage comparisons do not tell the whole story, as the adverse weather conditions forced Perkins to keep the ball more often on Saturday. Jones tallied five tackles, including one for loss, in his best game to date in an IU uniform.
At 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, Jones is an ideal size for a college linebacker. His speed, he says, has increased by at least two steps since Indiana implemented its new program in the offseason. Linebacker was arguably Indiana’s biggest question mark in the summer, and two games through, it’s been holding up. But life in the Big Ten East is daunting, and prolific offenses will have opportunities to exploit a developing Indiana defense. It must continue to improve, as Brian Lewerke, L.J. Scott, and Michigan State visit town in two weeks.
“My mindset,” Jones said of what has changed for him. “I gained a lot of confidence as spring went on. Just doing my job and executing this defense. Being able to talk to players and players actually being able to look at me like a leader. I took it and ran with it. That’s something I lacked in my first few years here. Gaining it back has been big and I just feel like me again.”
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Updates from Media Monday
First things first, there remains no update from Indiana on the indefinite suspension of starting running back Morgan Ellison. Allen said he meets with Ellison weekly and helps him through the process. He said "it's been going really good," but Ellison is still suspended from team activities. Allen has mentioned Ellison in passing numerous times this week when referring to Stevie Scott, so it's not like Ellison is considered off the team. Only ten games remain.
Let's talk quarterbacks! Allen said Monday that the Hoosiers planned for freshman Mike Penix to play on Saturday against Virginia, but with strong winds and heavy rain, Indiana felt more comfortable with Peyton Ramsey playing the entire game. The forecast looks ideal for Saturday vs. Ball State, so I'd expect Penix to see some time -- depending on how the game goes, of course. It appears Indiana wants to use Penix, as long as it comes in a manageable situation.
Speaking of Ball State, the Cardinals visit Bloomington for a noon kickoff on BTN. Indiana spoke highly of its in-state opponent, mentioning Ball State's impressive 24-16 defeat to No. 8 Notre Dame last week. They are 1-1, and Allen said quarterback Riley Neal is "the best, most complete quarterback we have faced." I would agree with that. The Hoosiers are currently favored by 14 points, and rose to 44th (from 57th) in this week's S&P Rankings. Ball State is 90th, but IU is taking the Cardinals very seriously: “They're a good defense, sound at what they do," Ramsey said. "They played really really well against Notre Dame, I got a chance to watch that. They’re a good defense, they’re going to be ready to get after it."
(09/09/18 5:39am)
When true freshman Stevie Scott signed his letter of intent to Indiana, Tom Allen figured the Hoosiers could find a place for him to play. Indiana just wasn’t sure where.
Scott signed to IU as a 6-foot-2, 236-pound recruit that played both linebacker and running back in high school. Due to injury, he played only three games as a senior at Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse. There weren’t a ton of recent reps of Scott for Allen to watch.
So Allen told Scott this summer that he’d try him out at both linebacker and tailback. If Scott impressed early on offense, he’d play in the backfield. If he didn’t, he’d be a linebacker.
After 31 carries for 204 yards in a gritty 20-16 win against Virginia, Allen saw Scott grow up Saturday night -- as the Hoosiers’ starting running back. So did Peyton Ramsey.
“I think it was a little bit unnerving for me because he is a true freshman and he is green,” Allen said postgame. “But I think we saw a guy grow up tonight in front of all of us and I’m really proud of him.”
“He grew up tonight,” Ramsey agreed. “We had talked about that all week. We needed somebody from that room to step up. He kept coming back after a big run and was just like, feed me. I want the ball.”
On a night where the conditions were far from ideal, Scott was Indiana’s workhorse on offense. Morgan Ellison remains suspended indefinitely and Cole Gest tore his ACL in the season opener, so following a 40-yard score on IU’s first offensive possession, it was no secret the Hoosiers would keep it on the ground with Scott. Although postgame, Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall said he didn’t think Indiana would be able to run the ball effectively.
Which is a fair assessment given IU’s struggles in the backfield last season. The Hoosiers had bright games from Ellison, but Allen’s offensive line was rarely consistent enough to string together a rushing attack. That has changed in 2018.
“I just came in wanting to play any position on the field just to help my team win,” Scott said. “I’m a downfield runner, just bulldoze people. I’ve just gotta run low and hard. I can’t leave any yards on the field.”
Through his first two games as a collegiate running back, Scott has taken 51 carries for 274 yards. He hasn’t fumbled once, and almost always falls forward after contact. Amidst turmoil in the backfield, Allen has placed his trust in a true freshman instead of seniors Mike Majette and Ricky Brookins. It’s paid off. Against Virginia, Scott was three yards shy of Indiana’s single-game freshman rushing record.
“I thought he had something different about him,” Allen said of Scott. “And then when he got to camp and we started watching him run I'm like, yeah, this guy is going to be alright.”
Scott is the largest part of an evolved Indiana offense from a season ago. Torrential downpour aside, Saturday’s win yet again showcased the many weapons IU has offensively. Peyton Ramsey was generally accurate despite a slippery ball and daunting winds. Donavan Hale hauled in his third redzone touchdown of 2018. Reese Taylor and Whop Philyor acted as valuable decoys.
Down the stretch Saturday night, Indiana’s defense held in a situation that has resulted differently in years past. The Hoosiers overcame critical special teams mistakes, a poor Ramsey interception, and a run-first Virginia quarterback in Bryce Perkins that could make any defense look foolish.
The Hoosiers are 2-0, despite widespread defensive criticism after FIU and a rather ugly win over Virginia. It turns to Ball State next week -- an opponent, that unlike Allen in 2017, will have plenty of recent film from Scott as a tailback. Fortunately for Allen, Scott isn’t satisfied with his 204 yards against Virginia.
“It’s pretty special,” Scott said of his night. “But I know I left a lot of yards on the field that I could’ve actually broke the record. So during this week of practice, I’m just going to go hard and do everything to help myself.”
(09/09/18 12:59am)
In an incredibly odd home opener, Indiana leads Virginia 20-9 at the half. Everyone is soaked, IU's student section has dwindled since kickoff, and the brand of football has been rather strange. Here are a few of my thoughts at the break:
Speedy Stevie Scott?
Whoa, where did that come from? On a beautifully designed play, true freshman Stevie Scott found a gaping hole and sprinted to the endzone for a 40-yard touchdown on Indiana's first offensive possession. For those who aren't aware, Scott is 6-foot-2 and 236 pounds -- and we really hadn't seen that type of speed from him during the summer or early fall. Against Florida International last week, Scott took 20 carries but only averaged 3.5 yards a carry in the season-opening win. With his size, he seemed best used as a bulldozer, power-back. But after that carry, maybe we're underestimating his burst? Scott out-ran Virginia's defense to the house, and was able to find a hole with Whop Philyor running in motion and taking a few Cavaliers with him to the outside.
Scott finished the half with eight carries for 64 yards, and while head coach Tom Allen said pregame that senior running back Mike Majette would start in the backfield, it was Scott who took the first carry Saturday evening. Based on what Scott brought in Miami, and again in this first half, it's safe to say that Allen has the most confidence in the true freshman.
Perkins Containment
Virginia quarterback Bryce Perkins can flat-out fly. We knew that going in, considering the junior-college transfer sprinted for 108 yards against Richmond last week. He showed his wheels early, on a 47-yard designed quarterback draw on the game's first possession. That scamper led Virginia to an impressive touchdown drive. Virginia's offense is really interesting, and can compare to military offenses with how the Cavaliers use various option plays.
The Hoosiers have, more or less, done an excellent job at containing Perkins. But it's not just UVA's quarterback that is a threat in the backfield, senior back Jordan Ellis can run too. For Indiana to only allow 107 rushing yards in the first half, on 22 carries, is impressive given how much Virginia relies on the run. And that's not even considering the weather conditions, which I'll get to in a minute. The Hoosiers had six tackles for loss in that first half, and blew up a few plays that Virginia used to run all over Richmond last week. For as much criticism as IU's defense received after last week's win, it played a fairly sound first half.
Oh, The Conditions
It hasn't been a pretty first half, folks. And as I type this, Indiana's student section has legitimately dwindled down to a few rows. I can't really blame them, as the rain and wind have not let up today in Bloomington. The adverse conditions, as expected, have seriously altered this game. Virginia bobbled and fumbled a kickoff return, which allowed Indiana to score when Peyton Ramsey linked with sudden sensation Donavan Hale for a touchdown. But then the Hoosiers had a PAT blocked, which was returned to the endzone for two points. Let's see, what else .... oh, J'Shun Harris muffed a punt return but luckily for him, bounced out of bounds. Virginia receivers have dropped plenty of balls tonight, including what could have been a 30-yard play from Perkins to lead receiver Olamide Zaccheaus on the opening possession.
I'll say this, though. Indiana has won the battle of the weather, and it hasn't been close. The Hoosiers are certainly the better passing team, but I've been impressed with how Ramsey has connected with his receivers despise strong winds and unrelenting rain. He's 11-of-13 for 92 yards and a pair of touchdowns, which is what we've grown to expect from Indiana's starter. We haven't seen Mike Penix yet, and we certainly could again in the third quarter like last week. But Ramsey has managed the game quite well, and hasn't tried to do too much with the conditions. All in all, an impressive first half from Indiana, The Hoosiers will receive the ball to begin the second half, looking to go ahead by three scores.
(09/07/18 7:04pm)
When junior wideout Nick Westbrook made it past the first play of Indiana’s 38-28 season-opening win at Florida International, his season was already significantly better than what it was a year ago.
Westbrook tore his ACL on the opening kickoff against Ohio State, missed the entirety of 2017 and endured a brutal recovery process. His injury was an enormous blow for Indiana, eliminating the possibility of having Westbrook pair with Simmie Cobbs Jr. for another season on the outside.
It’s essentially been two years since Westbrook played against an opponent. As a redshirt sophomore in 2016, he led the Hoosiers in receiving yards and touchdowns with 54 receptions for 995 yards and six touchdowns. Westbrook legitimately broke out as a sophomore, being named to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List in the preseason.
“It was kind of funny,” Westbrook said of being back. “Before the game I was talking with one of my friends and he said ‘hey as long as you make it past the first play, it’s better than last year.’ I laughed but it’s true, I feel grateful that I was able to play a full game and it was good to be back out there and get real game experience, it’s been so long.”
He did not play kickoff this time around in IU’s season opener, but he recorded his first catch on Indiana’s third offensive play of the game. He made it past the first play, and his first catch went for four yards.
“That was huge,” Westbrook said of his early grab. “You’re not sitting there waiting and wondering when your opportunity is going to come. It came pretty early, I caught it. It wasn’t anything big, but it released some of those nerves and it let me play loose.”
Westbrook finished with five catches for 33 yards in the win at FIU. It wasn’t anything special, but for Westbrook, it was a whole lot better than his 2017. The 6-foot-3, 215 pound receiver is Indiana’s most proven wideout -- and will likely only benefit with the emergence of Donavan Hale against FIU. Between two (or three) quarterbacks and a bevy of receivers, Westbrook should have plenty of opportunities for big plays. In 2016, he led the Big Ten with seven receptions over 40 yards.
With gunslinging true freshman Michael Penix and Peyton Ramsey’s supposed arm strength improvement, Westbrook figures to be given chances deep -- starting Saturday night in the home opener against Virginia.
“After the first catch, the whole ‘I haven’t played in two years’ thing went away. There was an odd feeling, playing against someone else. After that first catch, everything was released and I felt that monkey get off my back. I wasn’t worried about anything with my knee, just ready to play.”
Virginia features a rather steady secondary, one that will be tested with the likes of Westbrook, Hale, and slot options Luke Timian, Whop Philyor, and Reese Taylor. The Cavaliers’ top cornerback is Tim Harris, a sixth-year senior that has been with the program since 2013. There’s a wealth of experience for Virginia back there, and its secondary will be significantly more challenging than the one Indiana faced in Miami. But Westbrook doesn’t really care who the opponent is, as long as he’s healthy and playing.
“It was definitely excitement,” Westbrook said of the season opener. “It was a little nervous, not because I was worried that I’d get hurt, but nervous because it’s been a while since I’ve done this. But definitely more excited than anything, just to be able to play. I’m grateful.”
(09/06/18 11:54pm)
The Hoosiers are getting ready for their first home game of the season and the guys are back in the studio to preview the Virginia Cavaliers. They are joined by Sam Blum of the Daily Progress in Charlottesville, VA to get an insiders perspective on Virginia. Teddy, Ben and Connor also dive into how the weather conditions could affect the game.
(09/05/18 7:08pm)
Preface: Here at The Hoosier Network, we are not meteorologists. Although, I grew up in Philadelphia, where we dealt with the likes of Hurricane Sandy, Irene, etc ... so I'm decently qualified here.
It appears Indiana will battle Virginia and the weather on Saturday night. As Tropical Storm Gordon makes its way through the southern part of the country, the National Weather Service predicts heavy rainfall and cool temperatures for Indiana's 7:30pm Saturday kickoff against Virginia. According to the NWS on Wednesday, there is a 90 percent chance for thunderstorms on Saturday, specifically 60 percent for the evening. The anticipated low for Saturday night is 61 degrees.
Saturday will be IU's home opener, and the Hoosiers had been expecting a very strong crowd. It will be the debut of IU's south endzone enclosure and the first home game for freshmen students -- the largest class in school history. Plus, it's a home opener between a pair of 1-0 power conference schools, and the first chance to tailgate along 17th and Dunn. What more could you ask for?
Well, it could get very wet. And windy. Winds are expected between 10 and 15 mph, with rainfall between two and four inches this weekend. Indiana is no stranger to adverse weather conditions, though. For starters, IU had a game canceled last season when Florida International was unable to travel amidst Hurricane Irma. Then, it absolutely poured during the makeup game with Charleston Southern. On senior day last year, there was a weather delay in the second half of a 41-0 IU rout of Rutgers.
Indiana and Virginia could be in the mix for a delay or even cancellation if the rainfall is coupled with thunder and lightning. Severe weather, mainly lightning in the area, canceled Nebraska's opener with Akron last weekend. A cancellation would not be ideal, given logistical problems and a game that presents litmus tests for both programs. The series with Virginia is a logical series for an IU program looking for tests, but also wins amidst a daunting Big Ten east schedule. Six of Indiana's nine conference opponents were either ranked or receiving votes in this week's AP Poll.
It would take extreme weather for this game to be canceled. IU and Virginia will likely play a good, ol' fashioned, sloppy game of football. Indiana would likely then need to rely upon its running game, spearheaded by 6-foot-2, 236 pound true freshman Stevie Scott. With adverse weather in 2017, IU ran for 268 yards against Rutgers, and 134 yards against Charleston Southern. But the Hoosiers have lost starter Morgan Ellison to indefinite suspension and Cole Gest to a torn ACL in the season opener.
Predicting electrical storms is rather challenging. For the sake of hypothetical, IU and Virginia have differing bye weeks and could not make-up this game. They would both have to find a new opponent -- for Indiana, that would be November 3rd. Since the Hoosiers did not schedule an FCS team in 2018, that could be a logical option.
Hopefully, for us all, this is a casual rainfall. But prepare accordingly -- while severe storms are not expected, Bloomington could play host to significant rainfall and possible lightning. Either way, it's an unfortunate development that might spoil a home opener.
(09/04/18 11:02pm)
The Hoosiers hit the road to start the season and came back to Bloomington 1-0 after a 38-28 win over Florida International. There was a lot to dissect after this game including the quarterback position, the running back situation and more. Teddy, Connor and Ben break it all down.
(09/03/18 6:16pm)
Labor Day or not, Indiana held its first media availability of the week on Monday morning. The Hoosiers defeated Florida International 38-28 in Miami on Saturday, in a game where Tom Allen managed his two quarterbacks effectively. Donavan Hale snagged two touchdowns, Jonathan Crawford had a pick-six, and Indiana started its season 1-0. It will get tougher this weekend, albeit at home against Virginia. What we learned on Monday:
(09/02/18 4:28am)
MIAMI -- Tom Allen didn’t have an exact plan for how Indiana would utilize its two quarterbacks in its season-opening 38-28 win against Florida International.
He knew his options, their tendencies, and the fact that he wanted both to play. But he didn’t know when, or how.
“Here's the thing,” Allen said postgame. “We didn't have an exact plan and say, 'Hey, we're gonna play Michael Penix on this series.' We just said, 'Hey, let's see how the game goes.'
Allen started sophomore Peyton Ramsey because he was the starter. He still is the starter, of course. Ramsey shrugged off an interception on IU’s opening possession to complete 20 of his 27 passes for 156 yards and three touchdowns. His biggest strengths are his accuracy and efficiency, and Ramsey displayed just that. He found wideout Donavan Hale twice in the redzone, once on 4th down to hand Indiana a 28-14 halftime lead. Ramsey also scampered for 48 yards on eight carries in a performance that at the very least, met expectations.
“I thought Peyton controlled the game,” Allen said. “Other than that one pick where he made a bad decision there -- but that one didn't cost us anything. Three touchdown passes for him, just thought he looked really sharp.
True freshman Michael Penix Jr. replaced Ramsey on the second drive of the third quarter after Ramsey’s series resulted in a punt. Penix was an immediate spark, marching the Hoosiers down the field for an eventual 9-yard touchdown to running back Mike Majette on an outside screen. He stayed in for another series, finding a 34-yard completion down the sideline to Hale that led to Logan Justus’ first career field goal (36 yards). Penix’s biggest strengths are his arm strength and poise, and both were showcased. He aired out a long ball to Whop Philyor on his first possession, drawing a pass interference penalty with an accurate throw. He converted on a big 3rd and seven by finding Luke Timian over the middle.
“Michael came in as a true freshman back in his home state,” Allen said. “That's gotta be a lot of nervous energy for him for that. But he was calm and cool. He read the defenses and (was) just sitting there watching our offense make calls and watching him run the offense and make good decisions.
The Hoosiers weren’t comfortable using Penix in the first half, but they wanted to play him Saturday night. So Allen chose the third quarter as the ideal time as Indiana had a two-score lead when Penix entered.
After FIU answered the Justus field goal with a touchdown to cut IU’s lead to 38-28, Allen went back to his starter. Ramsey entered with six minutes remaining in the game to close it out. He did just that, taking every second off the clock and securing Indiana a road win to start 2018.
“Then we say, 'Hey, know what? Let's make sure we finish,” Allen said. “We gotta manage the clock. Obviously, Mike is a true freshman. I don't want to put that on his plate yet. He still needs to learn some things. So let's get Peyton back in there and go win the game.”
Playing two quarterbacks is a delicate strategy. If not kicker, quarterback is certainly the most fragile in terms of confidence and momentum. A year ago, Indiana’s back-and-forth strategy with Ramsey and Richard Lagow didn’t establish fluidity -- albeit injuries played a major role in that. But this season, Allen is high enough on Penix to endure the delicacy. It was not surprising that both played -- that was the plan all along.
“We got two really good quarterbacks, I believe,” Allen said. “I just think that we've got to be able to manage those two and decide which situation is best. But the bottom line is Peyton is the starter and Michael is a great No. 2 quarterback … You have to have more than one guy. We'll see how the future — what it holds for us.”
It is likely that Indiana will play a third quarterback this season as well. True freshman and reigning Mr. Football Reese Taylor did not see a snap at quarterback against FIU after moving back there following Brandon Dawkins’ departure. But Allen said postgame that he will be a factor there. Taylor rushed for 40 yards, caught two passes, and played cornerback Saturday. Seeing him at quarterback in the near future wouldn’t be a shock.
Allen’s ability to manage his quarterbacks will be a vital part of how successful 2018 is for Indiana. There are more winnable games on this schedule than in 2017. But there is significantly more youth on this roster than last season. The Hoosiers played multiple true freshmen in Miami -- from Penix and Taylor, to tight end Matt Bjorson, to running back Stevie Scott, cornerback Jaylin Williams, and husky Cam Jones. There were miscues, especially on defense, but most passed their first collegiate test. The tests get harder, starting next week vs. Virginia.
“Lot of question marks going into tonight's game,” Allen said. “I was so nervous. I don't know if I've been this nervous for a game in a long time, just because there were so many unknowns on our team. Just great to get the win. It's going to be a really enjoyable plane ride home.”
(09/02/18 12:54am)
Indiana leads Florida International 28-14 at half. Here are a few of my thoughts at the break:
IU's Offensive Efficiency
Indiana couldn't have been much more effective on offense in that first half. Peyton Ramsey was accurate, albeit a forced 3rd down throw and subsequent interception on the Hoosiers' first offensive possession. He completed 17 of his 24 first-half passes for 144 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. It wasn't just the 270 yards from Indiana's offense that was eye-opening, but the key play execution as well. Ramsey found Hale for a touchdown on 3rd down in the first quarter, a perfectly thrown ball with a safety defending as well ... and then again connected with Hale on 4th down to give IU the 28-14 lead. Hale could be legitimate redzone target for Ramsey.
The running game was rather bland, although Reese Taylor and Whop Philyor were electric sparks on reverses and sweeps. Indiana probably isn't going to be able to rely on 40+ passes from Ramsey each week to win games, so the running game is something to watch for the second half. Gest was useful as a receiver out of the backfield yet again, and Ramsey showcased his effective legs to boot.
Takeaways ... Takeaways ... Takeaways
It has to be said. Indiana took the ball away from FIU three times in the first half, most notably a pick-six interception from Jonathan Crawford -- who also forced a fumble on the first defensive sequence for the Hoosiers. Indiana only picked the ball off five times last year, worst in the Big Ten.
Takeaways bailed the Hoosiers out of possessions where their defense was getting rather thrashed. Late in the first half, a fumble recovery from Nile Sykes came after big chunks of yards were gained by the Panthers. IU's defense was historically stout a year ago, but couldn't come up with the big, game-changing play very often, if at all. Those two characteristics might change this season, as the Hoosiers graduated key pieces in Scales, Covington, and Fant. FIU totaled 208 yards offensively, and 115 on the ground.
IU opts against 47-yard field goal
Could be a moot point, especially with how this barnburner of a half went. But there are questions at kicker with the graduation of two-time Big Ten kicker of the year in Griffin Oakes. IU had the ball at the FIU 30 yard line with six seconds left, facing the wind. Instead of trying Logan Justus or true freshman Charles Campbell, who both have not attempted a collegiate field goal, Ramsey threw the ball incomplete to the endzone.
Again, not the most important detail from what was an impressive first half from the Hoosiers. With a strong wind, inexperienced kicker, and the game being Week 1 on the road ... the decision can be justified. A miss would have been somewhat expected, but Indiana chose not to even attempt. Something to keep an eye on.
(08/31/18 8:36pm)
MIAMI -- With the indefinite suspension of Morgan Ellison, Indiana must turn to life without its starting running back. The Hoosiers are prepared to play it by committee, but the specifics will be unknown until Indiana kicks off against Florida International on Saturday. Cole Gest has been named the starter, and he feels prepared to handle the job.
“I’m ready, man,” Gest said after practice on Tuesday. “Mark my words, I will not fail. I will give it my all and come out on top.”
Indefinite means indefinite, and Ellison is no longer in the cards for Mike DeBord’s offense. But Gest is, and the 5-foot-8, 194-pound tailback acknowledges the importance of moving on as the next man up. Gest is listed as the starter ahead of Saturday’s season opener, along with capable backups in seniors Mike Majette and Ricky Brookins, as well as with true freshman Stevie Scott – who has impressed.
“Losing Morgan for whatever reason, I pray that he’s doing okay and things work out with that,” Gest said. “Not having him there sucks, but you’ve got to move on as the next man up. With our running back room, we’re still pretty solid. We’ve got a lot to offer and in practice, we look great. I hope everything’s okay with him, but we’ve got to move on.”
Gest has endured a rollercoaster two seasons in Bloomington. The redshirt sophomore suffered a season-ending injury after three games in 2016 as a true freshman. Despite a crowded backfield last year, he emerged as a reliable weapon in his first prolonged action. Gest ran for 428 yards on 93 carries in ten games, battling injury yet again and missing a pair of games. He’s started before. Indiana ran him 23 times against Rutgers, 17 times against Illinois, and produced one of IU’s biggest highlights in a touchdown against Maryland.
He is not the prototypical Big Ten running back. Michigan State’s L.J. Scott is 6-foot-1, 227 pounds. Minnesota’s Rodney Smith and Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor are both 5-foot-11. Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins and Michigan’s Karan Higdon are 5-foot-10. In a conference that perennially breeds tailbacks, Gest will be overlooked at 5-foot-8. So was Mike Hart at Michigan, though, and IU’s running backs coach is able to relate with his newly named starter. DeBord also sees Gest’s shorter height as an advantage, allowing the Ohio native to hide behind IU’s offensive line and burst through a hole.
“A lot of the defensive players say that I’m so fast and hard to catch, but sometimes we can’t even see you,” Gest said. “I just think it’s funny. Some people see it as a weakness that I’m a smaller back, but it can actually be an advantage and work to my benefit.”
Some of Gest’s assets cannot be found elsewhere in IU’s running backs room. He is arguably the Hoosiers’ quickest back, and the most explosive as a backfield receiver. But Gest struggled at times with his vision during his first 13 games for the Hoosiers, hitting the wrong hole or being inconsistent at finding one. Gest says his patience has improved, in large part because of the true freshman Scott. At 6-foot-2, 236-pounds, Scott is the polar opposite of Gest. But with his slower speed, Scott is a useful reference for Gest harnessing his speed at the line.
“You can learn from anybody, older or younger,” Gest said of Scott. “I’ve took that from him, I’m really, really slow now on the initial mesh. It’s helped me see everything clearer and get bigger runs. My brain is just wired that I want to go right now and show my speed. But in the past, it’s worked as a disadvantage. I had to take a step back and harness it.”
Gest, with improved vision, speed, and muscle endurance, will likely take the first carry for the Hoosiers against Florida International. The Panthers boast a legitimate defensive line, bolstered by a pair of 4-star junior-college recruits and significant experience up front. Defensive tackle Tayland Humphrey is 6-foot-5 and 350 pounds. So, despite his size, Gest will be tasked with replacing Ellison’s ability as a power-speed hybrid – and there’s no shortage of confidence ahead of his second start at Indiana.
“With Morgan, he can be a big power back and a speed back. Personally, I believe that I can do it too. They might prefer a bigger back to do it, but I think I hold my weight pretty well against the big guys.”
(08/31/18 12:19am)
It is finally game week and there is a game to talk about as Indiana will head south to Miami to take on Florida International. So many storylines to break down going into this season. Teddy Bailey and Ben Portnoy are joined by Connor Hines.
(08/28/18 12:00am)
It’s Week 1, and Indiana’s revolving door of personnel remains in full swing. Days after the program announced an indefinite suspension for starting running back Morgan Ellison and one-game suspension for linebacker Mo Burnam, there is more.
Days before opener, Brandon Dawkins leaves the program
Brandon Dawkins has left Bloomington. The Arizona grad transfer arrived here in June, lost the competition to incumbent sophomore Peyton Ramsey, and departed in August. It’s a rather intriguing story, one that we dissected on today’s podcast. When Dawkins committed, he figured to be the de-facto starter. But he arrived late because of Arizona graduation, and brought accuracy concerns with him. Tom Allen wants his team to protect the football, and Ramsey gives the Hoosiers their best chance at that.
“(He’s) just going a different direction with his life,” Allen said. So he kind of wanted to sort some things out, figure out what’s next for him.”
The repercussions of Dawkins’ departure are endless, really. The obvious one is that he’s gone -- and with him goes a possible package in Mike DeBord’s offense. A Dawkins package certainly could have helped Indiana generate big plays, something the Hoosiers lacked in 2017. At the very least, Dawkins also would have provided IU with an experienced backup in the case of attrition -- which we saw last year with injuries to both Lagow and Ramsey.
“I don’t know,” Ramsey said of Dawkins leaving. “I don’t really know how to answer that question. He was good to me the entire time that he was here and I wish him nothing but the best."
The importance of depth: Reese Taylor moved to quarterback
In any case, Dawkins’ departure left Indiana with only two scholarship quarterbacks. On Monday, Allen officially moved true freshman Reese Taylor from cornerback to quarterback. Taylor practiced with the quarterbacks for the first time Monday, and is taking it slow early. There’s much to learn for Taylor, Indiana’s reigning Mr. Football and QB sensation at Ben Davis High School.
But there is no doubting Taylor’s sheer talent and potential at quarterback, despite his 5-foot-11, 184 pound size. There’s a reason why he was figured to contribute on IU’s offense even as a cornerback -- Taylor broke endless records at Ben Davis, leading his school to the state title. The new redshirt rule complicates both the immediate and long-term futures of Taylor and fellow true freshman Michael Penix Jr. Both can play four games or less and remain as a freshman next season, but the Hoosiers, ideally, would like to deploy Taylor and Penix this season. It remains to be seen how much Allen will use the redshirt rule as a strategy, but Saturday’s road test at Florida International could be a sign.
“I see him definitely playing, yes,” Allen said Monday. “Obviously we go through and re-evaluate some things as far as how that’s going to look. But he’s a guy that I view as a playmaker. You want to get him touching the football. In some ways this kind of gives you a chance to be more creative with that, to be honest with you.”
The departure of Dawkins raises questions if Indiana will be able to retain Penix’s freshman season in 2019. Penix will be, after all, the de-facto backup. If Ramsey even suffers a minor knock, Penix becomes the guy. If Indiana is blowing out its opposition, Penix could relieve Ramsey as well. That is what backups normally do, but it depends on how Allen interprets the new redshirt rule. In other words, time will tell. Penix could make an appearance this week at Florida International, according to Allen Monday.
News & Notes: Depth Chart Reveal
Indiana’s Week 1 depth chart was also released on Monday morning. Depth charts, especially before the season starts, always contain questionable levels of stock. Former IU coach Kevin Wilson was notorious for inaccurate depth charts, although it seems that Allen’s have been fairly consistent thus far.
That being said, it appears a few preseason position battles have been wrapped up for now. At running back, redshirt sophomore Cole Gest is listed as the starter amidst Ellison’s suspension. Mike Majette will back him up, although DeBord indicated Monday that the Hoosiers will likely start with a committee.
At tight end, redshirt freshman Peyton Hendershot will be the starter while senior Ryan Watercutter recovers from injury. Junior Austin Dorris will serve as IU’s backup against FIU. IU’s offensive line is essentially set, but the center position still remains undecided. Miami grad transfer Nick Linder and junior Hunter Littlejohn are both listed as starters. Linder has the ability to move around the line, as well. Sophomore Ty Fryfogle has emerged as the starting wideout opposite of Nick Westbrook, with Donovan Hale backing up Westbrook on the other side. All will play, of course, but it’s notable to see Fryfogle’s emergence on paper. The 6-foot-2 receiver only caught one pass as a freshman -- but with Simmie Cobbs in the NFL and Taysir Mack transferring to Pitt, Fryfogle has the potential for a strong sophomore campaign.
Lastly, Indiana has found its kicker in junior Logan Justus. The Hoosiers really haven’t had any questions at kicker for the last four years of Griffin Oakes’ career. Oakes, the two-time Big Ten Kicker of the Year, struggled as a junior but provided real stability for IU. U.S. Army All-American invitee Charles Campbell will backup Justus as a true freshman, but both could play. Justus is left-footed, and Campbell kicks with his right. Depending on which hash Indiana kicks from, Allen said Monday that both would be available. Redshirt sophomore Jared Smolar will handle kickoffs, with a new touchback rule to boot.
“That was a tight one, too,” Allen said of the kicking competition. “Went with the older, mature guy. Just the way we charted everything, I feel like he’s earned the right to be the starting field goal kicker going into Week 1. Charles Campbell is right there on his heels. We’ll get a chance to see what he can do too.”
(08/27/18 6:27pm)
It is finally IU's first game week of the season and there is plenty to talk about before the trip to FIU. Brandon Dawkins has left the program, Peyton Ramsey is the starting quarterback and Morgan Ellison is suspended. Teddy Bailey and Ben Portnoy break it all down following Tom Allen's weekly press conference.
Monday Notebook: Dawkins' departure and depth chart reveal
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