Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Indiana vs. Michigan
10/11/2017 7:56:00 PM | Football
By: Nick Reith
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana football team is back to Big Ten action this Saturday during Indiana University's Homecoming weekend. The Hoosiers (3-2) take on No. 17/16 Michigan (4-1), with kickoff scheduled for noon ET (ABC) at Memorial Stadium.
"They're very athletic in the core, and they've modified their system to fit their personnel," head coach Tom Allen described Michigan's defensive unit. "They were much bigger last year and played with four down; this year they play with three down and move all over the place, creating a lot of havoc. They've created a lot of sacks, more sacks this year than this time last season. We rank number two in creating three-and-outs this season; they're number one."
As a defensive guy, Allen knows what he's up against this weekend when his offense lines up across from the Wolverines. Michigan brings a similar level of intensity as last season when they led the country in four defensive statistical categories, including total defense (261.8 yards per game), and held Indiana to 10 points last November at the Big House.
This year is different, Allen noted, because Michigan adapted their scheme to account for key departures (Jabrill Peppers, Taco Charlton, Chris Wormley) while achieving similar results.
"When you complete 78 percent of your throws, that's pretty good, we'll take that every Saturday," said offensive coordinator Mike DeBord on Peyton Ramsey's first career start. "He looked very natural out there. Somebody asked me last week how he would look as the starter, and to me he looked like the same guy who came off the bench in the second quarter [at Virginia]."
The Hoosiers were extremely pleased with Ramsey's first game starting under center last week against Charleston Southern. The redshirt freshman completed 32-of-41 passes, combining 17 to Taysir Mack and Simmie Cobbs Jr.—and had the first 300-yard game by a freshman since Kellen Lewis (Nov. 4, /2006). Beyond the numbers, Ramsey's poise in the pocket reminded fans of his composure coming off the bench during the win at Virginia.
Ramsey faces a new beast this weekend against arguably the country's best defense over the last two seasons, but last weekend's game with Charleston Southern ensured that the freshman gunslinger will have a little starting experience—and confidence—under his belt.
"It's been a while," said senior linebacker Chris Covington after Indiana's shutout win. "No matter who the opponent is, you're always up against something and playing for something. We came out and did what we were supposed to do."
The Hoosiers have matched up against teams they were "supposed to beat" numerous times over the last 25 years, but last Saturday's game stands out as the first shutout since Bill Mallory's 1993 season. In addition to the zero on their opponents' side of the scoreboard, Indiana held the Buccaneers to 0-of-10 on passing attempts. Yes, the passing game isn't a strength for a triple-option team, but the Hoosiers also held CSU's ground game to three yards per play. It's another encouraging performance from a defensive unit that has grown tremendously since Allen's arrival last fall.
"They give you a lot of different personnel, a lot of shifts and motions to try and mess with your eyes," said senior linebacker Tegray Scales. "They have great players too, and great coaching. I think it will be nice to get back to that high level of Big Ten play."
The Michigan offense entered an adjustment period with the absence of quarterback Wilton Speight after an injury two weeks ago. But Scales and the Hoosiers know that it wasn't Speight, but John O'Korn who pushed the Wolverines past Indiana in last year's blizzard at the Big House.
Indiana will prepare for the best against Jim Harbaugh's Michigan offense. That starts with Wolverine tailback Ty Isaac, who has averaged 6 yards per carry through his fifth and final collegiate year.
"Guys are just getting more comfortable, starting to come off the ball a little more," said redshirt junior lineman Wes Martin. "You're starting to see pass protection firm up and the unit is getting more comfortable."
The Hoosiers anchor unit feels galvanized at this stage in the season. That can take time, especially when you lose an NFL draftee in each of the last two years. If you add the occasional bang-ups and injuries that affect offensive linemen, there's a chance that the group comes together too late in the season to make an impact.
Martin and Indiana's offensive linemen need to be a cohesive unit, now more than ever. Because once the little things are automatic, they can expand their objectives and complicate things for their opposite number. This game will be won in the trenches, as Indiana faces the fiercest defensive line in the Big Ten and arguably the nation on Saturday afternoon.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Indiana football team is back to Big Ten action this Saturday during Indiana University's Homecoming weekend. The Hoosiers (3-2) take on No. 17/16 Michigan (4-1), with kickoff scheduled for noon ET (ABC) at Memorial Stadium.
"They're very athletic in the core, and they've modified their system to fit their personnel," head coach Tom Allen described Michigan's defensive unit. "They were much bigger last year and played with four down; this year they play with three down and move all over the place, creating a lot of havoc. They've created a lot of sacks, more sacks this year than this time last season. We rank number two in creating three-and-outs this season; they're number one."
As a defensive guy, Allen knows what he's up against this weekend when his offense lines up across from the Wolverines. Michigan brings a similar level of intensity as last season when they led the country in four defensive statistical categories, including total defense (261.8 yards per game), and held Indiana to 10 points last November at the Big House.
This year is different, Allen noted, because Michigan adapted their scheme to account for key departures (Jabrill Peppers, Taco Charlton, Chris Wormley) while achieving similar results.
"When you complete 78 percent of your throws, that's pretty good, we'll take that every Saturday," said offensive coordinator Mike DeBord on Peyton Ramsey's first career start. "He looked very natural out there. Somebody asked me last week how he would look as the starter, and to me he looked like the same guy who came off the bench in the second quarter [at Virginia]."
The Hoosiers were extremely pleased with Ramsey's first game starting under center last week against Charleston Southern. The redshirt freshman completed 32-of-41 passes, combining 17 to Taysir Mack and Simmie Cobbs Jr.—and had the first 300-yard game by a freshman since Kellen Lewis (Nov. 4, /2006). Beyond the numbers, Ramsey's poise in the pocket reminded fans of his composure coming off the bench during the win at Virginia.
Ramsey faces a new beast this weekend against arguably the country's best defense over the last two seasons, but last weekend's game with Charleston Southern ensured that the freshman gunslinger will have a little starting experience—and confidence—under his belt.
"It's been a while," said senior linebacker Chris Covington after Indiana's shutout win. "No matter who the opponent is, you're always up against something and playing for something. We came out and did what we were supposed to do."
The Hoosiers have matched up against teams they were "supposed to beat" numerous times over the last 25 years, but last Saturday's game stands out as the first shutout since Bill Mallory's 1993 season. In addition to the zero on their opponents' side of the scoreboard, Indiana held the Buccaneers to 0-of-10 on passing attempts. Yes, the passing game isn't a strength for a triple-option team, but the Hoosiers also held CSU's ground game to three yards per play. It's another encouraging performance from a defensive unit that has grown tremendously since Allen's arrival last fall.
"They give you a lot of different personnel, a lot of shifts and motions to try and mess with your eyes," said senior linebacker Tegray Scales. "They have great players too, and great coaching. I think it will be nice to get back to that high level of Big Ten play."
The Michigan offense entered an adjustment period with the absence of quarterback Wilton Speight after an injury two weeks ago. But Scales and the Hoosiers know that it wasn't Speight, but John O'Korn who pushed the Wolverines past Indiana in last year's blizzard at the Big House.
Indiana will prepare for the best against Jim Harbaugh's Michigan offense. That starts with Wolverine tailback Ty Isaac, who has averaged 6 yards per carry through his fifth and final collegiate year.
"Guys are just getting more comfortable, starting to come off the ball a little more," said redshirt junior lineman Wes Martin. "You're starting to see pass protection firm up and the unit is getting more comfortable."
The Hoosiers anchor unit feels galvanized at this stage in the season. That can take time, especially when you lose an NFL draftee in each of the last two years. If you add the occasional bang-ups and injuries that affect offensive linemen, there's a chance that the group comes together too late in the season to make an impact.
Martin and Indiana's offensive linemen need to be a cohesive unit, now more than ever. Because once the little things are automatic, they can expand their objectives and complicate things for their opposite number. This game will be won in the trenches, as Indiana faces the fiercest defensive line in the Big Ten and arguably the nation on Saturday afternoon.
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