Indiana University Athletics
TEs Excited about Offense
3/28/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
In Indiana head coach Terry Hoeppner's spread offense, the tight end can be a valuable spot. During the 2002 and 2003 seasons, former All-Mid-American Conference selection Matt Brandt ranked among the national leaders in receiving for a tight end at Miami of Ohio. Hoeppner's teams have averaged 275.2 yards through the air and 140.7 on the ground. In the spread offense, tight ends have not only been able to make catches, but block as well. The tight end group of junior Chris Rudanovic and sophomores Nick Sexton and Brian Faires look to provide that balance for the 2005 Hoosiers.
"I think it is easier, conceptually," Rudanovic said of the offense in the early going of spring practice. "You don't have to think as much, you just have to go do your job. Knowing it, thinking fast and then doing it fast."
Spring practice has brought a steep learning curve for the Hoosiers, as the coaches have thrown a lot of things at them in the opening three days. Although the players have only worked with the coaches and offense for a short time, the level of excitement, improvement and education are already evident.
"I feel like I have already learned more than I did last year," Sexton said. "We are learning a lot of new things right now, so we are still thinking about things as we come up to the line. The offense is going to take a while to grasp it all in and get comfortable with it because everything is happening so quick."
The Hoosiers will look to replace a four-year starter after the graduation of Aaron Halterman. Halterman started 35 games over his Hoosier career. The trio of returning Hoosiers have started a combined five games, all from Rudanovic. Rudanovic and Sexton both feel that learning under a four-year starter like Halterman was beneficial.
"I think it helped a lot," Sexton said. "Aaron had a lot of positive thoughts and was real encouraging. He really helped us a lot."
"I played No. 2 under him, so I was kind of close to him," Rudanovic said of Halterman. "He definitely is a leader. He led in every aspect in practice, and did everything with precision. He always emphasized that to us. He has been here during spring practice, and taken his spare time to help out the tight ends. Aaron is a good guy, who cares, and is really good for the program."
Despite the expiration of his eligibility, Halterman has been out at spring practice to help and encourage his protégés.
"(Aaron) has been through three different coaches, so he has had a lot of coaching," Sexton said. "I think all that has helped us. He is down here helping us and that is definitely a benefit."
In 22 games over the last two seasons, Rudanovic has proven to be a capable pass catcher when called upon. During his sophomore season in 2004, the Sussex, N.J., product made 12 catches for 133 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He came on late in the season starting against Penn State and Purdue. Rudanovic had a career-best six catches for 62 yards at Illinois.
Rudanovic had touchdown catches against Michigan State and Minnesota in Bloomington. His six-yard grab against the Golden Gophers pushed the Hoosiers to a 20-14 halftime lead in a game where the Cream and Crimson upset 24th-ranked Minnesota, 30-21.
Sexton saw action in seven games last season for the Hoosiers, primarily on special teams. He was forced to redshirt the 2003 season with an injury, but put on over 30 pounds of muscle during that time. He was a PrepStar's All-Region selection as a senior and established school records for receiving yards (692) and touchdowns (10) at Bloomington High School North. The local product was recognized as the 10th-best player in the state of Indiana by Rivals.com as a senior in high school.
Faires moves back to his original position of tight end after playing the 2004 spring and fall on the defensive line. He was a first team all-state selection at 5A State Champion Ben Davis coming out of high school. Rivals.com rated him the No. 50 tight end in the country and the seventh-best player in the state of Indiana during his senior year. As a senior in high school, he scored 12 times on 31 catches, but is touted as an even better blocker.
"I think it is easier, conceptually," Rudanovic said of the offense in the early going of spring practice. "You don't have to think as much, you just have to go do your job. Knowing it, thinking fast and then doing it fast."
Spring practice has brought a steep learning curve for the Hoosiers, as the coaches have thrown a lot of things at them in the opening three days. Although the players have only worked with the coaches and offense for a short time, the level of excitement, improvement and education are already evident.
"I feel like I have already learned more than I did last year," Sexton said. "We are learning a lot of new things right now, so we are still thinking about things as we come up to the line. The offense is going to take a while to grasp it all in and get comfortable with it because everything is happening so quick."
The Hoosiers will look to replace a four-year starter after the graduation of Aaron Halterman. Halterman started 35 games over his Hoosier career. The trio of returning Hoosiers have started a combined five games, all from Rudanovic. Rudanovic and Sexton both feel that learning under a four-year starter like Halterman was beneficial.
"I think it helped a lot," Sexton said. "Aaron had a lot of positive thoughts and was real encouraging. He really helped us a lot."
"I played No. 2 under him, so I was kind of close to him," Rudanovic said of Halterman. "He definitely is a leader. He led in every aspect in practice, and did everything with precision. He always emphasized that to us. He has been here during spring practice, and taken his spare time to help out the tight ends. Aaron is a good guy, who cares, and is really good for the program."
Despite the expiration of his eligibility, Halterman has been out at spring practice to help and encourage his protégés.
"(Aaron) has been through three different coaches, so he has had a lot of coaching," Sexton said. "I think all that has helped us. He is down here helping us and that is definitely a benefit."
In 22 games over the last two seasons, Rudanovic has proven to be a capable pass catcher when called upon. During his sophomore season in 2004, the Sussex, N.J., product made 12 catches for 133 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He came on late in the season starting against Penn State and Purdue. Rudanovic had a career-best six catches for 62 yards at Illinois.
Rudanovic had touchdown catches against Michigan State and Minnesota in Bloomington. His six-yard grab against the Golden Gophers pushed the Hoosiers to a 20-14 halftime lead in a game where the Cream and Crimson upset 24th-ranked Minnesota, 30-21.
Sexton saw action in seven games last season for the Hoosiers, primarily on special teams. He was forced to redshirt the 2003 season with an injury, but put on over 30 pounds of muscle during that time. He was a PrepStar's All-Region selection as a senior and established school records for receiving yards (692) and touchdowns (10) at Bloomington High School North. The local product was recognized as the 10th-best player in the state of Indiana by Rivals.com as a senior in high school.
Faires moves back to his original position of tight end after playing the 2004 spring and fall on the defensive line. He was a first team all-state selection at 5A State Champion Ben Davis coming out of high school. Rivals.com rated him the No. 50 tight end in the country and the seventh-best player in the state of Indiana during his senior year. As a senior in high school, he scored 12 times on 31 catches, but is touted as an even better blocker.
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