Indiana University Athletics
IU’s Ramsey and Mack Are in Sync and Loving It
10/12/2017 7:51:00 PM | Football
By: Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Mind reading isn't an option for Peyton Ramsey and Taysir Mack. Neither is shouting out play calls, using cell phones or tapping into the latest technology marvel.
So what do you do when you're lined up for a snap, you see opportunity beyond the regular play call, and need to let the other guy know?
For these Indiana football teammates, it means seeking on-field quarterback-receiver chemistry the old-fashioned way:
Through hard work and lots of reps.
Oh. One other thing.
Subtle signals.
Welcome to the fast-emerging world of football possibilities of Ramsey and Mack, a pair of redshirt freshmen with big ceilings.
That was showcased when both shredded Charleston Southern during last Saturday's 27-0 win.
Now comes a Homecoming challenge that could change so many things for this Hoosier season and beyond. Top 20 Michigan comes to Memorial Stadium on Saturday with a best-in-the-nation defense only a totally dialed in offense can beat.
As the developing starting quarterback, Ramsey will play a huge role. As an emerging receiving talent, Mack could be a catalyst.
The more both players are in sync when a route needs adjusting because of defensive formation, the better. The better they know each other, the more likely success will result.
"They were things we practiced on through the summer and camp so we understand each other," Mack says. "He'll know if the defense is over the top, there are certain things that we'll have a feel for each other."
That feel started last year when both redshirted and got lots of scout team practice time, and more. It continued in the spring and over the summer, and then in August camp and practice.
The reward came last Saturday.
"It's good to have the communication we do," Mack says.
"I know what Peyton likes. I know what he's good at. He lets me know where he wants to put certain things. It's good to know that if I'm comfortable breaking a route at certain points, he's ready for it. When you have a good combination of knowing each other, it makes it better."
Adds Ramsey: "We were guys who came in the same class and developed a friendship early. We worked on our games together. We have a done a lot of work together. I like the bond that we have."
So does head coach Tom Allen.
"I challenged Taysir to rise up. We had some injuries at that position and so that's what freshmen are supposed to do. He responded."
Mack's response was a career-high seven catches for a career-high 111 yards and his first two collegiate touchdowns.
"He and Peyton were on the scout team together last year," Allen says, "so throwing to each other in that setting and just the reps that they got over the summer and just everything, I think it just adds to it. It helps.
"For sure it's a timing and a comfort issue for them, but we just need Taysir to elevate his play and he did and now he's got to elevate against a top-tier opponent. So it's about confidence. It's about execution. It's about belief in yourself and your coaches to get you ready to play and then when the ball's thrown your way, to go make those plays. We need him to continue to grow."
Ramsey dominated Charleston Southern in an impressive starting debut – throwing for 321 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for a team-leading 54 yards.
Ramsey credits much of that success to last year's scout-team work.
"It's like I told (true freshman quarterback) Nick Tronti, the scout team really does prepare you. You're going against the starting defense. You get a chance to develop your skills every day."
Ramsey's Charleston Southern numbers could have been even better. Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord says he dialed back the play calling in the second half. He had good reasons – IU (3-2) was cruising to a lopsided victory, a downpour limited passing potential and he didn't want to reveal more of the offense than necessary.
"At one point we made a decision to hold on some things that we can carry over," DeBord says.
In other words, save some surprises for Michigan, which is 4-1 after a 14-10 home loss to rival Michigan State.
Meanwhile, Ramsey continues to work on his development.
"There are always things I have to brush up on, like throwing to the right guy, throwing in rhythm, throwing on time, anticipate throws. I have to get better at that."
Still, Ramsey's potential impresses DeBord.
"(Charleston Southern) played off of our receivers," DeBord says. "That enabled us to get some quick throws to receivers. We were able to get the ball down field.
"(Ramsey) played a good game. When you complete 78 percent of your passes, that's pretty good. I'll take it every Saturday.
"He looked very natural. He was the same guy who was coming off the bench the previous four weeks. He looked very comfortable."
For Ramsey to look comfortable against Michigan, he'll need help from receivers.
"When you go against man coverage," DeBord says, "you've got to beat it. You've got to beat the guy trying to lock you up. The receivers have to do a great job. We have to have great protection. And against man coverage, we have to be very accurate with our throws."
In the end, IU faces a huge opportunity to make a national statement in front of a near sellout Memorial Stadium crowd.
"It's exciting," Ramsey says. "Michigan is a good team. It's a team that is hungry coming off a loss. It is an opportunity for a breakthrough and we have to play our best."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Mind reading isn't an option for Peyton Ramsey and Taysir Mack. Neither is shouting out play calls, using cell phones or tapping into the latest technology marvel.
So what do you do when you're lined up for a snap, you see opportunity beyond the regular play call, and need to let the other guy know?
For these Indiana football teammates, it means seeking on-field quarterback-receiver chemistry the old-fashioned way:
Through hard work and lots of reps.
Oh. One other thing.
Subtle signals.
Welcome to the fast-emerging world of football possibilities of Ramsey and Mack, a pair of redshirt freshmen with big ceilings.
That was showcased when both shredded Charleston Southern during last Saturday's 27-0 win.
Now comes a Homecoming challenge that could change so many things for this Hoosier season and beyond. Top 20 Michigan comes to Memorial Stadium on Saturday with a best-in-the-nation defense only a totally dialed in offense can beat.
As the developing starting quarterback, Ramsey will play a huge role. As an emerging receiving talent, Mack could be a catalyst.
The more both players are in sync when a route needs adjusting because of defensive formation, the better. The better they know each other, the more likely success will result.
"They were things we practiced on through the summer and camp so we understand each other," Mack says. "He'll know if the defense is over the top, there are certain things that we'll have a feel for each other."
That feel started last year when both redshirted and got lots of scout team practice time, and more. It continued in the spring and over the summer, and then in August camp and practice.
The reward came last Saturday.
"It's good to have the communication we do," Mack says.
"I know what Peyton likes. I know what he's good at. He lets me know where he wants to put certain things. It's good to know that if I'm comfortable breaking a route at certain points, he's ready for it. When you have a good combination of knowing each other, it makes it better."
Adds Ramsey: "We were guys who came in the same class and developed a friendship early. We worked on our games together. We have a done a lot of work together. I like the bond that we have."
So does head coach Tom Allen.
"I challenged Taysir to rise up. We had some injuries at that position and so that's what freshmen are supposed to do. He responded."
Mack's response was a career-high seven catches for a career-high 111 yards and his first two collegiate touchdowns.
"He and Peyton were on the scout team together last year," Allen says, "so throwing to each other in that setting and just the reps that they got over the summer and just everything, I think it just adds to it. It helps.
"For sure it's a timing and a comfort issue for them, but we just need Taysir to elevate his play and he did and now he's got to elevate against a top-tier opponent. So it's about confidence. It's about execution. It's about belief in yourself and your coaches to get you ready to play and then when the ball's thrown your way, to go make those plays. We need him to continue to grow."
Ramsey dominated Charleston Southern in an impressive starting debut – throwing for 321 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for a team-leading 54 yards.
Ramsey credits much of that success to last year's scout-team work.
"It's like I told (true freshman quarterback) Nick Tronti, the scout team really does prepare you. You're going against the starting defense. You get a chance to develop your skills every day."
Ramsey's Charleston Southern numbers could have been even better. Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord says he dialed back the play calling in the second half. He had good reasons – IU (3-2) was cruising to a lopsided victory, a downpour limited passing potential and he didn't want to reveal more of the offense than necessary.
"At one point we made a decision to hold on some things that we can carry over," DeBord says.
In other words, save some surprises for Michigan, which is 4-1 after a 14-10 home loss to rival Michigan State.
Meanwhile, Ramsey continues to work on his development.
"There are always things I have to brush up on, like throwing to the right guy, throwing in rhythm, throwing on time, anticipate throws. I have to get better at that."
Still, Ramsey's potential impresses DeBord.
"(Charleston Southern) played off of our receivers," DeBord says. "That enabled us to get some quick throws to receivers. We were able to get the ball down field.
"(Ramsey) played a good game. When you complete 78 percent of your passes, that's pretty good. I'll take it every Saturday.
"He looked very natural. He was the same guy who was coming off the bench the previous four weeks. He looked very comfortable."
For Ramsey to look comfortable against Michigan, he'll need help from receivers.
"When you go against man coverage," DeBord says, "you've got to beat it. You've got to beat the guy trying to lock you up. The receivers have to do a great job. We have to have great protection. And against man coverage, we have to be very accurate with our throws."
In the end, IU faces a huge opportunity to make a national statement in front of a near sellout Memorial Stadium crowd.
"It's exciting," Ramsey says. "Michigan is a good team. It's a team that is hungry coming off a loss. It is an opportunity for a breakthrough and we have to play our best."
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