Paige, Indiana Like Offensive Balance
9/13/2015 2:24:00 AM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind - A quick scan of the box score of Indiana's 36-22 win against Florida International doesn't necessarily reveal a standout offensive performer.
That's a good thing, redshirt junior receiver Mitchell Paige said. It was all according to plan.
"It's awesome. We can go into so many different formations," Paige said. "(We can) get bigger bodies where they need to be. Get little guys where they need to be to and spread the ball out. We've got a lot of stuff we can do on offense."
Eight different receivers combined for 19 catches and 234 yards in the win. Fifth-year enior tight end Michael Cooper led the way with 66 yards on three catches, followed closely behind by redshirt junior receiver Ricky Jones' 56 yards and sophomore receiver Simmie Cobbs, Jr.'s, 55 yards.
Paige, who had 31 receiving yards, including 16 on the game-winning touchdown, said Indiana (2-0) benefited from playing more diverse personnel.
Sudfeld said it even opened the field for running backs Jordan Howard and Devine Redding to have a larger impact on the game.
Howard, a junior, carried the ball 27 times for 159 yards.
"He does a great job of opening up our playbook by getting us three or four yards on every rush," Sudfeld said. "He's very intelligent back there."
Redding, a sophomore, added 59 yards of his own on 16 carries. Even Jones got involved in the run game, taking a reverse for 11 yards out of the slot.
Sudfeld's only complaint afterward was inconsistency. Although IU was balanced, he said the Hoosiers let a few too many scoring opportunities stall out around midfield.
"We just need to execute more on offense," Sudfeld said. "Most of the time the play calls were great, we just need to make plays as players. It's little things that we will be able to watch on film this week and fix."
Indiana will look to maintain its balanced attack in the coming weeks. Paige said there were even more players on the sidelines capable of making plays and expects an even wider offensive cast to emerge as the season goes along.
"Balance is good," Paige said. "We're a better team when everyone's involved."
Notables
Mangieri wreaks havoc
Senior defensive end Nick Mangieri set up two of Indiana's touchdowns, including the game-winner, after being named Indiana's Defensive Player of the Week in week one.
Mangieri had his first career fumble recovery in the third quarter before recording his seventh career sack with 10:09 remaining. The latter forced a fumble—recovered by redshirt sophomore linebacker Marcus Oliver—that gave Indiana the field position it needed to retake the lead for good.
"I knew I could beat those guys off the edge," Mangieri said of his sack. "I knew I had to come out and make a big play. It was right there."
Running backs continue to carry the load
The running back tandem of junior Jordan Howard and sophomore Devine Redding continued their consistent play Saturday. The two combined for 219 yards on 43 carries giving them back-to-back games of more than 200 yards combined.
Howard has now recorded 13 career 100-yard games and eight 150-yard games. He's rushed for at least 100 yards in six consecutive games, dating back to last season. He finished with 159 yards on 27 carries and hauled in a 5-yard reception as well.
"Jordan's great. He's an every down back," senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld said. "He's a phenomenal player."
Hoosiers efficient in red zone
Indiana didn't waste any scoring opportunities, converting on all five trips to the red zone.
The Hoosiers were a perfect five-of-five with three touchdowns and two field goals.
Wilson's word
"Defensively, all I talked about to our team is the way I kind of try to live and try to coach and want our team to play. It doesn't matter what happens, it's what's next. You need to move on. As a matter of fact, my wife gave a comment to me the other day, the quicker you call plays, the players can't even think about what happened. They can't think good or bad, they just play the next play. I don't think she knows much about football, but I shared that thought with our team."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind - A quick scan of the box score of Indiana's 36-22 win against Florida International doesn't necessarily reveal a standout offensive performer.
That's a good thing, redshirt junior receiver Mitchell Paige said. It was all according to plan.
"It's awesome. We can go into so many different formations," Paige said. "(We can) get bigger bodies where they need to be. Get little guys where they need to be to and spread the ball out. We've got a lot of stuff we can do on offense."
Eight different receivers combined for 19 catches and 234 yards in the win. Fifth-year enior tight end Michael Cooper led the way with 66 yards on three catches, followed closely behind by redshirt junior receiver Ricky Jones' 56 yards and sophomore receiver Simmie Cobbs, Jr.'s, 55 yards.
Paige, who had 31 receiving yards, including 16 on the game-winning touchdown, said Indiana (2-0) benefited from playing more diverse personnel.
Sudfeld said it even opened the field for running backs Jordan Howard and Devine Redding to have a larger impact on the game.
Howard, a junior, carried the ball 27 times for 159 yards.
"He does a great job of opening up our playbook by getting us three or four yards on every rush," Sudfeld said. "He's very intelligent back there."
Redding, a sophomore, added 59 yards of his own on 16 carries. Even Jones got involved in the run game, taking a reverse for 11 yards out of the slot.
Sudfeld's only complaint afterward was inconsistency. Although IU was balanced, he said the Hoosiers let a few too many scoring opportunities stall out around midfield.
"We just need to execute more on offense," Sudfeld said. "Most of the time the play calls were great, we just need to make plays as players. It's little things that we will be able to watch on film this week and fix."
Indiana will look to maintain its balanced attack in the coming weeks. Paige said there were even more players on the sidelines capable of making plays and expects an even wider offensive cast to emerge as the season goes along.
"Balance is good," Paige said. "We're a better team when everyone's involved."
Notables
Mangieri wreaks havoc
Senior defensive end Nick Mangieri set up two of Indiana's touchdowns, including the game-winner, after being named Indiana's Defensive Player of the Week in week one.
Mangieri had his first career fumble recovery in the third quarter before recording his seventh career sack with 10:09 remaining. The latter forced a fumble—recovered by redshirt sophomore linebacker Marcus Oliver—that gave Indiana the field position it needed to retake the lead for good.
"I knew I could beat those guys off the edge," Mangieri said of his sack. "I knew I had to come out and make a big play. It was right there."
Running backs continue to carry the load
The running back tandem of junior Jordan Howard and sophomore Devine Redding continued their consistent play Saturday. The two combined for 219 yards on 43 carries giving them back-to-back games of more than 200 yards combined.
Howard has now recorded 13 career 100-yard games and eight 150-yard games. He's rushed for at least 100 yards in six consecutive games, dating back to last season. He finished with 159 yards on 27 carries and hauled in a 5-yard reception as well.
"Jordan's great. He's an every down back," senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld said. "He's a phenomenal player."
Hoosiers efficient in red zone
Indiana didn't waste any scoring opportunities, converting on all five trips to the red zone.
The Hoosiers were a perfect five-of-five with three touchdowns and two field goals.
Wilson's word
"Defensively, all I talked about to our team is the way I kind of try to live and try to coach and want our team to play. It doesn't matter what happens, it's what's next. You need to move on. As a matter of fact, my wife gave a comment to me the other day, the quicker you call plays, the players can't even think about what happened. They can't think good or bad, they just play the next play. I don't think she knows much about football, but I shared that thought with our team."
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