Indiana University Athletics
IU Football Monday Notebook
10/30/2017 6:54:00 PM | Football
By: Andy Graham
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana isn't shy about throwing the football. Not this season. Certainly not during the previous six years under Kevin Wilson. And not over much of its football history.
Which is why this statistic jumps out:
Simmie Cobbs Jr. (10 catches for 138 yards and two TDs), Whop Philyor (13, 127, 1) and Luke Timian (13, 91, 1) became the first IU trio ever to post 10-or-more receptions in one game Saturday at Maryland.
And Philyor, in the process, earned the Hoosiers' second Big Ten Freshman of the Week citation of the campaign, joining earlier honoree Morgan Ellison. Philyor's 13 catches was a school true freshman record.
"The thing I love about him is he was really upset about the 14th one that he didn't get on that last drive (a drop of a potential first-down throw)," IU coach Tom Allen said Monday. "Was really, really -- took that one hard.
"Whop was playing on special teams and so many reps. We have a mileage tracker, and the guy ran like five miles during the game. Just really proud of his effort and toughness."
Philyor starred at Tampa (Fla.) Plant High School, where he teamed with fellow IU football frosh Juwan Burgess and Thomas Allen, the coach's son.
"Really, what I saw Saturday is what I really expected to see out of him this year, this season," Allen said of Philyor. "He has an unbelievable energy level. We call him 'the Energizer Bunny.' He just keeps going and going and doesn't seem to get tired.
"I've seen that in the past when he was in high school and played both ways. Just ran all over the field and never -- there was never a dropoff. Some guys have that ability and some don't."
Allen noted Philyor was injured in fall camp, which delayed his emergence as a contributor. The coach considered redshirting Philyor, but is glad he didn't.
"I thought he was going to be one of our better players, and it's proven to be true," Allen said. "Just took a little time."
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Cobbs, Philyor and Timian shared Offensive Player of the Game honors for their combined efforts Saturday.
Fifth-year senior defensive tackle Nate Hoff was Defensive Player of the Game and redshirt sophomore Isaac James was Special Teams Player of the Week.
"(Hoff) continues to be very, very consistent," Allen said. "Tough, physical. Just love his demeanor that he brings every day, and it shows. "Isaac James on special teams has really stepped up his coverage and ability to help us in all those specialists areas. So proud of his attitude and effort each and every day."
James has shifted to the defensive backfield for now after spending the balance of his IU career as a slot receiver, in addition to his multiple special-teams assignments. Hoff has missed time to injury, especially practice time, but has worked hard to be available at game time.
QUARTERBACKS. PLURAL.
IU redshirt freshman quarterback Peyton Ramsey and fifth-year senior quarterback Richard Lagow each earned praise from Allen and IU offensive coordinator Mike DeBord for both performance and perseverance Saturday.
Ramsey had to exit twice due to injury but still completed 31-of-41 throws (.756) for 279 yards and three TDs.
Lagow, who lost his starting job after the season's fourth week, was ready when the call came Saturday, completing his first five passes and throwing for a pair of TDs. He led one touchdown drive to get the Hoosiers in position to challenge at the end, and might have had a decisive drive going if not for a couple of dropped passes.
"I thought Peyton made great strides in this game," DeBord said, then cited the 34-yard TD pass to Cobbs that opened the scoring, with Ramsey alertly throwing deep on a "free play" when Maryland had jumped offside. "Hitting Simmie, after Maryland jumped offside, on that long ball – I mean that ball was placed exactly where you want it.
"And speaks volumes to (the way) Rich came in and played. You know, he's not getting as many reps as he was getting earlier but he, mentally and physically, was ready to play. I'm very proud of him."
Allen was unsure about Ramsey's availability heading into this week's home game with No. 4-ranked Wisconsin.
"It's day-to-day right now to see what will happen this weekend (with Ramsey)," Allen said. "He's rehabbing to get himself squared away. Yeah, he's taken some hits and has that style of play. He is an amazingly tough kid.
"But Richard was ready to go on Saturday, and is going to have to be ready to go this week as well. We'll get both guys ready and see where we are later in the week ... we're always trying to find everything we can do to give our team the best chance to win.
Whoever that is, that's who it's going to be."
TOUGH, FAMILIAR NEWS FOR J-SHUN
J-Shun Harris II twice earning Big Ten Special Team Player of the Week honors this season was a testament not just to talent but toughness, coming in the wake of Harris having rehabilitated ACL knee ligament tears in each knee in each of the previous two years.
And now the redshirt junior faces that familiar adversity.
"Just very disappointed to have to announce that J-Shun Harris is out for the season with a torn ACL," Allen said. "Heart breaks for him. That's his third one. Kid has been an absolute warrior to come back from the first two. My heart breaks for him. He's just overcome so much."
Harris ranked third nationally in punt return average at 19.0 yards and had returned a pair of punts for TDs this season.
OTHER INJURY NEWS
Neither junior Mike Majette nor true freshman Morgan Ellison, who shared the running back starts over the first seven games this season, made the trip to Maryland due to injury.
Coach Allen held out hope Ellison might return this week, but said Majette likely won't.
"Morgan is still rehabbing," Allen said. "Love to get him back. Don't know for sure if that's going to happen. Know more here in a few days.
"Don't think Mike will be ready yet, but he should hopefully be ready soon. Just try to get as many guys back as we can. Got a lot of question marks on guys. Won't know here until we start getting into the week heavy with our preparation. But the next guy has to step up and be ready to compete and perform at a high level."
Allen felt redshirt freshman Cole Gest stepped up well at running back Saturday with two catches for 28 yards (and a TD in which he ran right over a would-be Terp tackler) and 38 rushing yards.
Senior tight end Ian Thomas started and saw limited action Saturday as he continues to rehabilitate an injury.
"You just hope that Ian can continue to progress," Allen said. "He played about 20 snaps or so. Still just getting him back, so there are certain things he can and can't do. Hopefully a week of rehab will help him be stronger and better."
Allen said he wouldn't "dwell upon" injuries, which are "part of the game," but was specifically asked if he'd seen a team with this number of injuries sustained in a single season during his coaching career and replied:
"No, I haven't seen this many … and there have been so many different kinds. (Junior wideout) Donavan Hale is probably out for the season. I would probably go ahead and assume that. It's getting so late now we're not expecting him back after his knee surgery. Was not an ACL, but just not one that looks like he's going to be able to recover from.
"You have different kinds of injuries. Sometimes cards just aren't stacked your way. But we don't dwell on that. I don't dwell on that. Hope to get some guys back. Probably lost a couple more guys just because of the nature of the game this past weekend. You know, that's part of it. It's part of football. Other guys have to step up. But, yeah, it's an excessively large number. I have not seen anything like it."
HALL PASS
Ernie Jones, a first team All-American wideout in 1987 who still ranks third on IU's career receiving list, and Ken Kaczmarek, a linebacker for IU's Rose Bowl team and a third team All-American in 1967, are the football program's representatives in this year's Indiana Athletics Hall of Fame induction class.
"Want to congratulate Ken Kaczmarek on his induction in the Hall of Fame as linebacker here," Allen said Monday. "Great, great player; awesome person. Enjoyed getting to know him and meet him.
"Ernie Jones is a guy who I don't personally know, but I know he was a great player here as wide receiver. So they'll be inducted this weekend and recognized at the (Wisconsin) game."
SALUTE TO SERVICE
Indiana's helmets will sport a special decal commemorating "A Salute to Service" Saturday.
"We'll be wearing special decals in honor of our service men and women across the country (and overseas with) all they do for all of us here, and the freedom we have and often take for granted," Allen said. "Appreciate them."
TOP FIVE. YET AGAIN.
Indiana will play its third top 5-ranked foe this season (with IU the only team in the country to have done so) when squaring off with No. 4 Wisconsin for a 12 p.m. kickoff and ABC telecast Saturday.
And Wisconsin sports the third top 5-ranked defense IU has faced in the past four weeks.
"I think that speaks volumes, considering where we are in the season," DeBord said of Wisconsin's No. 5 ranking nationally in total defense. "Sometimes you can be ranked high early, but you haven't been really tested.
They've been tested. They're giving up just 12.9 points per game."
Allen sees Saturday, in part, as another chance for the Hoosiers to make a splash that would be noted nationally.
"We have a great opportunity to play a great football team," Allen said. "Top 5 defense coming into town … with a big-time running attack … a very good football team we'll play that's undefeated.
"Really excited to see our team respond with the toughness and grit and the mindset we have to have to play in this league. And especially to bounce back from a game where you feel you had (a great chance to win) … to work through the challenges of this part of the season, with injuries and all that goes with it, to be able to come together and do something special for each other. And that's what we plan to do."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana isn't shy about throwing the football. Not this season. Certainly not during the previous six years under Kevin Wilson. And not over much of its football history.
Which is why this statistic jumps out:
Simmie Cobbs Jr. (10 catches for 138 yards and two TDs), Whop Philyor (13, 127, 1) and Luke Timian (13, 91, 1) became the first IU trio ever to post 10-or-more receptions in one game Saturday at Maryland.
And Philyor, in the process, earned the Hoosiers' second Big Ten Freshman of the Week citation of the campaign, joining earlier honoree Morgan Ellison. Philyor's 13 catches was a school true freshman record.
"The thing I love about him is he was really upset about the 14th one that he didn't get on that last drive (a drop of a potential first-down throw)," IU coach Tom Allen said Monday. "Was really, really -- took that one hard.
"Whop was playing on special teams and so many reps. We have a mileage tracker, and the guy ran like five miles during the game. Just really proud of his effort and toughness."
Philyor starred at Tampa (Fla.) Plant High School, where he teamed with fellow IU football frosh Juwan Burgess and Thomas Allen, the coach's son.
"Really, what I saw Saturday is what I really expected to see out of him this year, this season," Allen said of Philyor. "He has an unbelievable energy level. We call him 'the Energizer Bunny.' He just keeps going and going and doesn't seem to get tired.
"I've seen that in the past when he was in high school and played both ways. Just ran all over the field and never -- there was never a dropoff. Some guys have that ability and some don't."
Allen noted Philyor was injured in fall camp, which delayed his emergence as a contributor. The coach considered redshirting Philyor, but is glad he didn't.
"I thought he was going to be one of our better players, and it's proven to be true," Allen said. "Just took a little time."
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Cobbs, Philyor and Timian shared Offensive Player of the Game honors for their combined efforts Saturday.
Fifth-year senior defensive tackle Nate Hoff was Defensive Player of the Game and redshirt sophomore Isaac James was Special Teams Player of the Week.
"(Hoff) continues to be very, very consistent," Allen said. "Tough, physical. Just love his demeanor that he brings every day, and it shows. "Isaac James on special teams has really stepped up his coverage and ability to help us in all those specialists areas. So proud of his attitude and effort each and every day."
James has shifted to the defensive backfield for now after spending the balance of his IU career as a slot receiver, in addition to his multiple special-teams assignments. Hoff has missed time to injury, especially practice time, but has worked hard to be available at game time.
QUARTERBACKS. PLURAL.
IU redshirt freshman quarterback Peyton Ramsey and fifth-year senior quarterback Richard Lagow each earned praise from Allen and IU offensive coordinator Mike DeBord for both performance and perseverance Saturday.
Ramsey had to exit twice due to injury but still completed 31-of-41 throws (.756) for 279 yards and three TDs.
Lagow, who lost his starting job after the season's fourth week, was ready when the call came Saturday, completing his first five passes and throwing for a pair of TDs. He led one touchdown drive to get the Hoosiers in position to challenge at the end, and might have had a decisive drive going if not for a couple of dropped passes.
"I thought Peyton made great strides in this game," DeBord said, then cited the 34-yard TD pass to Cobbs that opened the scoring, with Ramsey alertly throwing deep on a "free play" when Maryland had jumped offside. "Hitting Simmie, after Maryland jumped offside, on that long ball – I mean that ball was placed exactly where you want it.
"And speaks volumes to (the way) Rich came in and played. You know, he's not getting as many reps as he was getting earlier but he, mentally and physically, was ready to play. I'm very proud of him."
Allen was unsure about Ramsey's availability heading into this week's home game with No. 4-ranked Wisconsin.
"It's day-to-day right now to see what will happen this weekend (with Ramsey)," Allen said. "He's rehabbing to get himself squared away. Yeah, he's taken some hits and has that style of play. He is an amazingly tough kid.
"But Richard was ready to go on Saturday, and is going to have to be ready to go this week as well. We'll get both guys ready and see where we are later in the week ... we're always trying to find everything we can do to give our team the best chance to win.
Whoever that is, that's who it's going to be."
TOUGH, FAMILIAR NEWS FOR J-SHUN
J-Shun Harris II twice earning Big Ten Special Team Player of the Week honors this season was a testament not just to talent but toughness, coming in the wake of Harris having rehabilitated ACL knee ligament tears in each knee in each of the previous two years.
And now the redshirt junior faces that familiar adversity.
"Just very disappointed to have to announce that J-Shun Harris is out for the season with a torn ACL," Allen said. "Heart breaks for him. That's his third one. Kid has been an absolute warrior to come back from the first two. My heart breaks for him. He's just overcome so much."
Harris ranked third nationally in punt return average at 19.0 yards and had returned a pair of punts for TDs this season.
OTHER INJURY NEWS
Neither junior Mike Majette nor true freshman Morgan Ellison, who shared the running back starts over the first seven games this season, made the trip to Maryland due to injury.
Coach Allen held out hope Ellison might return this week, but said Majette likely won't.
"Morgan is still rehabbing," Allen said. "Love to get him back. Don't know for sure if that's going to happen. Know more here in a few days.
"Don't think Mike will be ready yet, but he should hopefully be ready soon. Just try to get as many guys back as we can. Got a lot of question marks on guys. Won't know here until we start getting into the week heavy with our preparation. But the next guy has to step up and be ready to compete and perform at a high level."
Allen felt redshirt freshman Cole Gest stepped up well at running back Saturday with two catches for 28 yards (and a TD in which he ran right over a would-be Terp tackler) and 38 rushing yards.
Senior tight end Ian Thomas started and saw limited action Saturday as he continues to rehabilitate an injury.
"You just hope that Ian can continue to progress," Allen said. "He played about 20 snaps or so. Still just getting him back, so there are certain things he can and can't do. Hopefully a week of rehab will help him be stronger and better."
Allen said he wouldn't "dwell upon" injuries, which are "part of the game," but was specifically asked if he'd seen a team with this number of injuries sustained in a single season during his coaching career and replied:
"No, I haven't seen this many … and there have been so many different kinds. (Junior wideout) Donavan Hale is probably out for the season. I would probably go ahead and assume that. It's getting so late now we're not expecting him back after his knee surgery. Was not an ACL, but just not one that looks like he's going to be able to recover from.
"You have different kinds of injuries. Sometimes cards just aren't stacked your way. But we don't dwell on that. I don't dwell on that. Hope to get some guys back. Probably lost a couple more guys just because of the nature of the game this past weekend. You know, that's part of it. It's part of football. Other guys have to step up. But, yeah, it's an excessively large number. I have not seen anything like it."
HALL PASS
Ernie Jones, a first team All-American wideout in 1987 who still ranks third on IU's career receiving list, and Ken Kaczmarek, a linebacker for IU's Rose Bowl team and a third team All-American in 1967, are the football program's representatives in this year's Indiana Athletics Hall of Fame induction class.
"Want to congratulate Ken Kaczmarek on his induction in the Hall of Fame as linebacker here," Allen said Monday. "Great, great player; awesome person. Enjoyed getting to know him and meet him.
"Ernie Jones is a guy who I don't personally know, but I know he was a great player here as wide receiver. So they'll be inducted this weekend and recognized at the (Wisconsin) game."
SALUTE TO SERVICE
Indiana's helmets will sport a special decal commemorating "A Salute to Service" Saturday.
"We'll be wearing special decals in honor of our service men and women across the country (and overseas with) all they do for all of us here, and the freedom we have and often take for granted," Allen said. "Appreciate them."
TOP FIVE. YET AGAIN.
Indiana will play its third top 5-ranked foe this season (with IU the only team in the country to have done so) when squaring off with No. 4 Wisconsin for a 12 p.m. kickoff and ABC telecast Saturday.
And Wisconsin sports the third top 5-ranked defense IU has faced in the past four weeks.
"I think that speaks volumes, considering where we are in the season," DeBord said of Wisconsin's No. 5 ranking nationally in total defense. "Sometimes you can be ranked high early, but you haven't been really tested.
They've been tested. They're giving up just 12.9 points per game."
Allen sees Saturday, in part, as another chance for the Hoosiers to make a splash that would be noted nationally.
"We have a great opportunity to play a great football team," Allen said. "Top 5 defense coming into town … with a big-time running attack … a very good football team we'll play that's undefeated.
"Really excited to see our team respond with the toughness and grit and the mindset we have to have to play in this league. And especially to bounce back from a game where you feel you had (a great chance to win) … to work through the challenges of this part of the season, with injuries and all that goes with it, to be able to come together and do something special for each other. And that's what we plan to do."
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