Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Indiana at Michigan State
10/18/2017 7:26:00 PM | Football
By: Nick Reith
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana's football team returns to the road with a Big Ten trophy battle on Saturday afternoon. The Hoosiers (3-3) enter a Battle for the Old Brass Spittoon against No. 18/19 Michigan State (5-1), with the opening kick set for 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC) at Spartan Stadium.
"I look at where we're at in our schedule, and we're the only Big Ten team to play four top-20 teams in our first seven games," said Indiana head coach Tom Allen. "That's been a great challenge for us and a great opportunity to compete against really good programs right out of the gate. It's been really good for our guys to stay locked in and focused, and they've responded."
It's no secret to Indiana's coaching staff that the scheduling chips fell heavily on the front end of the Hoosiers' season. Of the trio teams of in contention for the Big Ten's College Football Playoff spot last season, Indiana faced all three in their first conference games this year. And those teams bring elements such as Heisman contenders, perennial Big Ten standout quarterbacks, and one of the nation's top defenses on paper. Indiana continues that conference gauntlet this weekend against another top-20 squad, making this one of the toughest starts to a conference schedule in program history.
Allen's verdict is simple: these Hoosiers are battle-tested, and it shows in how they've handled the Big Ten East's rise to national prominence. Last weekend's overtime clash with the Wolverines is further proof that the Hoosiers are on the brink of big things in Bloomington, that the week-to-week progress will pay dividends in due time.
Indiana Offensive Coordinator Mike DeBord
"He does a great job of getting open, and once he gets open he's got great quickness," offensive coordinator Mike DeBord commented on Luke Timian's play this season. "Luke's just a guy that makes plays, and I'm glad he's on our team."
The secret is out on Luke Timian. Indiana's redshirt junior slot receiver trails only Simmie Cobbs Jr. on receptions (29) this season and he's nearly matched his yardage total from 13 games last season. And because of the attention earned by Cobbs and Taysir Mack out wide, Timian has provided crucial plays on third down as a safety valve opposite tight end Ian Thomas.
You really have to look for Timian on the field, and nobody knows that better than opposing defensive coordinators. Aside from his offseason jersey change to No. 25, the Hoosiers are willing to line him up anywhere. Timian has made appearances out wide, in the slot, fielding punt returns, and even in motion from IU's backfield.
"It's a mutual relationship, so we're both growing more comfortable with one another," receiver Luke Timian discussed his development with quarterback Peyton Ramsey. "Sometimes he's going to take off from the pocket, and you've got to stay alive for him."
It takes time to build a relationship between a quarterback and his receivers. Luckily for Indiana's newest man behind center, redshirt freshman Peyton Ramsey, the Hoosiers have one of the best receiving corps in the Big Ten. That, combined with Ramsey's experience earlier this season, allowed the passing game to earn nearly 500 yards through the air with three touchdowns and 52 completions over his first two career starts.
Timian alluded to a crucial piece of the mindset the receivers need to thrive with Ramsey: "stay alive", even when he's on the run. He even pointed to a play against Michigan where Ramsey looked to be headed for a sack, but Timian persisted to create space that allowed the play to develop. Add that tip to Ramsey's skill-set, plus the trending success of the run-pass option in modern college football, and the Hoosiers could be set up for an aerial attack that extends past Ramsey's first varsity season.
"It's always a challenge in the Big Ten but you welcome it, you embrace it," fifth-year senior cornerback Rashard Fant said. "We're ready to come back this weekend against another great team and have fun. They present a challenge but we hope to be prepared for it."
Indiana's defense has done well to shut down large chunks of their opponents' offensive playbooks over their last three games. At Penn State, the Hoosiers held Heisman contender Saquon Barkley and the ground game to just 39 yards on 37 touches, which included five sacks on quarterback Trace McSorley. The next week, Indiana held a triple option-heavy Charleston Southern squad to less than 150 yards on the ground while allowing zero receiving yards on as many catches. Last week, IU's defensive backs held Michigan to 58 passing yards and 10 completions, and the special teams units limited both return group (5 total yards).
Indiana's defensive unit is ready for a new set of challenges in East Lansing, but the matchup will closely resemble any recent Battle for the Old Brass Spittoon as the Spartans once again bring a talented backfield to the table. Tailback L.J. Scott will be the main focus, but the Hoosiers have done well to hold him under 70 yards in both career games versus IU.
Senior defensive back/husky Tony Fields
"I've been getting more comfortable day-by-day, watching a lot of film and talking to Marcelino Ball asking him tips and reminders about the position," Tony Fields said regarding his new spot on the field, at husky. "I've really been enjoying myself and playing with my brothers out there."
It's been called the "nickel", the "money backer", the "bandit", and more, but the position's necessity is nearly universal across the college game. Teams are combatting the shift to more receivers at the expense of down linemen by adding a player of many hats to their schemes. Indiana calls it the "husky", a spot that requires the speed of a defensive back, the run-stopping capabilities of a linebacker, and the vision of a safety. Marcelino Ball owned that position last season and proved how essential that role played in Allen's defense. This season, with Ball sustaining an injury against Georgia Southern, senior Tony Fields steps into a crucial defensive assignment.
Fields excelled in his first three games, gathering 20 tackles and three tackles for loss with 10 stops against Penn State. It's an ongoing process, and very few can play the position to its full potential, but Fields is a student of the game. He's looking to film and the expertise of those before him to become the husky Indiana needs in games to come.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana's football team returns to the road with a Big Ten trophy battle on Saturday afternoon. The Hoosiers (3-3) enter a Battle for the Old Brass Spittoon against No. 18/19 Michigan State (5-1), with the opening kick set for 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC) at Spartan Stadium.
"I look at where we're at in our schedule, and we're the only Big Ten team to play four top-20 teams in our first seven games," said Indiana head coach Tom Allen. "That's been a great challenge for us and a great opportunity to compete against really good programs right out of the gate. It's been really good for our guys to stay locked in and focused, and they've responded."
It's no secret to Indiana's coaching staff that the scheduling chips fell heavily on the front end of the Hoosiers' season. Of the trio teams of in contention for the Big Ten's College Football Playoff spot last season, Indiana faced all three in their first conference games this year. And those teams bring elements such as Heisman contenders, perennial Big Ten standout quarterbacks, and one of the nation's top defenses on paper. Indiana continues that conference gauntlet this weekend against another top-20 squad, making this one of the toughest starts to a conference schedule in program history.
Allen's verdict is simple: these Hoosiers are battle-tested, and it shows in how they've handled the Big Ten East's rise to national prominence. Last weekend's overtime clash with the Wolverines is further proof that the Hoosiers are on the brink of big things in Bloomington, that the week-to-week progress will pay dividends in due time.
Indiana Offensive Coordinator Mike DeBord
"He does a great job of getting open, and once he gets open he's got great quickness," offensive coordinator Mike DeBord commented on Luke Timian's play this season. "Luke's just a guy that makes plays, and I'm glad he's on our team."
The secret is out on Luke Timian. Indiana's redshirt junior slot receiver trails only Simmie Cobbs Jr. on receptions (29) this season and he's nearly matched his yardage total from 13 games last season. And because of the attention earned by Cobbs and Taysir Mack out wide, Timian has provided crucial plays on third down as a safety valve opposite tight end Ian Thomas.
You really have to look for Timian on the field, and nobody knows that better than opposing defensive coordinators. Aside from his offseason jersey change to No. 25, the Hoosiers are willing to line him up anywhere. Timian has made appearances out wide, in the slot, fielding punt returns, and even in motion from IU's backfield.
"It's a mutual relationship, so we're both growing more comfortable with one another," receiver Luke Timian discussed his development with quarterback Peyton Ramsey. "Sometimes he's going to take off from the pocket, and you've got to stay alive for him."
It takes time to build a relationship between a quarterback and his receivers. Luckily for Indiana's newest man behind center, redshirt freshman Peyton Ramsey, the Hoosiers have one of the best receiving corps in the Big Ten. That, combined with Ramsey's experience earlier this season, allowed the passing game to earn nearly 500 yards through the air with three touchdowns and 52 completions over his first two career starts.
Timian alluded to a crucial piece of the mindset the receivers need to thrive with Ramsey: "stay alive", even when he's on the run. He even pointed to a play against Michigan where Ramsey looked to be headed for a sack, but Timian persisted to create space that allowed the play to develop. Add that tip to Ramsey's skill-set, plus the trending success of the run-pass option in modern college football, and the Hoosiers could be set up for an aerial attack that extends past Ramsey's first varsity season.
"It's always a challenge in the Big Ten but you welcome it, you embrace it," fifth-year senior cornerback Rashard Fant said. "We're ready to come back this weekend against another great team and have fun. They present a challenge but we hope to be prepared for it."
Indiana's defense has done well to shut down large chunks of their opponents' offensive playbooks over their last three games. At Penn State, the Hoosiers held Heisman contender Saquon Barkley and the ground game to just 39 yards on 37 touches, which included five sacks on quarterback Trace McSorley. The next week, Indiana held a triple option-heavy Charleston Southern squad to less than 150 yards on the ground while allowing zero receiving yards on as many catches. Last week, IU's defensive backs held Michigan to 58 passing yards and 10 completions, and the special teams units limited both return group (5 total yards).
Indiana's defensive unit is ready for a new set of challenges in East Lansing, but the matchup will closely resemble any recent Battle for the Old Brass Spittoon as the Spartans once again bring a talented backfield to the table. Tailback L.J. Scott will be the main focus, but the Hoosiers have done well to hold him under 70 yards in both career games versus IU.
Senior defensive back/husky Tony Fields
"I've been getting more comfortable day-by-day, watching a lot of film and talking to Marcelino Ball asking him tips and reminders about the position," Tony Fields said regarding his new spot on the field, at husky. "I've really been enjoying myself and playing with my brothers out there."
It's been called the "nickel", the "money backer", the "bandit", and more, but the position's necessity is nearly universal across the college game. Teams are combatting the shift to more receivers at the expense of down linemen by adding a player of many hats to their schemes. Indiana calls it the "husky", a spot that requires the speed of a defensive back, the run-stopping capabilities of a linebacker, and the vision of a safety. Marcelino Ball owned that position last season and proved how essential that role played in Allen's defense. This season, with Ball sustaining an injury against Georgia Southern, senior Tony Fields steps into a crucial defensive assignment.
Fields excelled in his first three games, gathering 20 tackles and three tackles for loss with 10 stops against Penn State. It's an ongoing process, and very few can play the position to its full potential, but Fields is a student of the game. He's looking to film and the expertise of those before him to become the husky Indiana needs in games to come.
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