Indiana University Athletics
Howard Steps Up In Losing Effort
11/7/2015 10:01:00 PM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – No running back in the nation had been able to exploit Iowa's stout rushing defense all season.
Then Jordan Howard got his chance at it.
Indiana's junior running back did something no other rusher has been able to do this season in Indiana's 35-27 loss, exploiting the Iowa rush defense for 174 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. The Hawkeye rush defense began the day ranked No. 5 in the FBS, allowing only 85.8 yards per game.
"I think this game gives us confidence," Howard said. "I believe this makes us feel like we can run on anybody, no matter what the numbers say."
Howard's 174-yard day made him the first running back to run for more than 100 yards against Iowa's defense this season. His two touchdowns doubled Iowa's previous allowance. The Hawkeyes had previously given up just one rushing score in eight games.
"I think we're a better team when we can have the run," head coach Kevin Wilson said.
Howard exploited the edge—something he said Indiana didn't expect to do—and got to the outside in the first quarter and raced by Iowa's would-be tacklers for a 37-yard score that at the time pulled Indiana within 14-10.
On Indiana's next drive, Howard gave the Hoosiers a 17-14 lead thanks to a 27-yard score that had him find the left edge, cut to his right and then cut back left and run up the field for a touchdown, shaking off a defender as he stumbled into the end zone.
"On film, we saw that mostly we weren't going to be able to get to the edge and we'd have to cut up," Howard explained. "But in the game, it opened up and I took it."
Howard said he's feeling healthy and refreshed after the bye week, a welcome sign for Indiana's offense. He now has 16 career 100-yard games, five of them this season, and 11 career 150-yard game, with four this season.
He said someone needs to make plays for Indiana in order to snap its current five-game losing streak. He's just trying to be the guy to do it.
"We just have to make the plays when the opportunity comes," Howard said. "You just have to step up."
Sudfeld Becomes All-Time Touchdown Leader
Senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld isn't one to talk about personal recognitions. But by the end of Saturday's game, he sat at the top of Indiana's most prestigious passing record.
Sudfeld completed an 11-yard touchdown to fifth-year senior tight end Michael Cooper in the fourth quarter. In doing so, Sudfeld set the program's all-time mark in touchdown passes with 49.
"Big time," redshirt junior right guard Dan Feeney said. "That's great for him, great for this team. It really shows a lot about how he's matured and how he's developed. It's really good for him."
Wilson's Word:
"Very positive with the guys in the locker room. Those kids are disappointed, but at the same time, there's a good group of leaders and a good group of guys. I think there's a team that might be a little disappointed and frustrated, but it's a good group that's confident, and we're going to keep them going and push forward for next week."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – No running back in the nation had been able to exploit Iowa's stout rushing defense all season.
Then Jordan Howard got his chance at it.
Indiana's junior running back did something no other rusher has been able to do this season in Indiana's 35-27 loss, exploiting the Iowa rush defense for 174 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. The Hawkeye rush defense began the day ranked No. 5 in the FBS, allowing only 85.8 yards per game.
"I think this game gives us confidence," Howard said. "I believe this makes us feel like we can run on anybody, no matter what the numbers say."
Howard's 174-yard day made him the first running back to run for more than 100 yards against Iowa's defense this season. His two touchdowns doubled Iowa's previous allowance. The Hawkeyes had previously given up just one rushing score in eight games.
"I think we're a better team when we can have the run," head coach Kevin Wilson said.
Howard exploited the edge—something he said Indiana didn't expect to do—and got to the outside in the first quarter and raced by Iowa's would-be tacklers for a 37-yard score that at the time pulled Indiana within 14-10.
On Indiana's next drive, Howard gave the Hoosiers a 17-14 lead thanks to a 27-yard score that had him find the left edge, cut to his right and then cut back left and run up the field for a touchdown, shaking off a defender as he stumbled into the end zone.
"On film, we saw that mostly we weren't going to be able to get to the edge and we'd have to cut up," Howard explained. "But in the game, it opened up and I took it."
Howard said he's feeling healthy and refreshed after the bye week, a welcome sign for Indiana's offense. He now has 16 career 100-yard games, five of them this season, and 11 career 150-yard game, with four this season.
He said someone needs to make plays for Indiana in order to snap its current five-game losing streak. He's just trying to be the guy to do it.
"We just have to make the plays when the opportunity comes," Howard said. "You just have to step up."
Sudfeld Becomes All-Time Touchdown Leader
Senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld isn't one to talk about personal recognitions. But by the end of Saturday's game, he sat at the top of Indiana's most prestigious passing record.
Sudfeld completed an 11-yard touchdown to fifth-year senior tight end Michael Cooper in the fourth quarter. In doing so, Sudfeld set the program's all-time mark in touchdown passes with 49.
"Big time," redshirt junior right guard Dan Feeney said. "That's great for him, great for this team. It really shows a lot about how he's matured and how he's developed. It's really good for him."
Wilson's Word:
"Very positive with the guys in the locker room. Those kids are disappointed, but at the same time, there's a good group of leaders and a good group of guys. I think there's a team that might be a little disappointed and frustrated, but it's a good group that's confident, and we're going to keep them going and push forward for next week."
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