Ten (More) Things: Florida International
9/13/2015 1:39:00 PM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana football received some much-needed help from its defense Saturday, turning three turnovers into 20 points in the Hoosiers' 36-22 win against Florida International.
Every Sunday, IUHoosiers.com looks back on the week that was and gets a head start on previewing the matchup to come. The Hoosiers (2-0) will stay at home for a third consecutive weekend to play Western Kentucky (2-0) on Saturday with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m.
Still winning: Indiana's win over FIU improved the Hoosiers' overall record to 2-0 for the first time since 2012, and for the second time in head coach Kevin Wilson's tenure. Indiana hasn't started a season 3-0 since 2010.
Leading the conference: Indiana is one of six remaining undefeated Big Ten teams, joining fellow Big Ten East rivals Ohio State and Michigan State, as well as Illinois, Iowa and Northwestern at 2-0.
Paige's first score: Redshirt junior receiver Mitchell Paige's 16-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter was his first career score. After the game, Paige said it felt good to get the first one out of the way after managing to go his first three seasons on campus without finding the end zone.
Sudfeld's scrambles: Senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld now owns five career rushing touchdowns after adding two against Florida International. He joked earlier in the week that he understands why fans get nervous seeing their quarterback take off running, but it's hard to argue against taking those risks when he's putting up points.
Fant Island: Redshirt sophomore Rashard Fant had a career-high four pass breakups one week after being shaken up against Southern Illinois with concussion-like symptoms. Largely regarded as Indiana's best cover corner by the coaches, Fant had a nose for the ball in Indiana's win. He also picked up four tackles.
Value the football: Indiana forced FIU into three turnovers—a forced fumble and a recovered fumble by Nick Mangieri and an interception by freshman safety Jameel Cook, Jr.—and only had one of its own, which was a harmless interception by Sudfeld on third-and-long that served as a makeshift punt. The Hoosiers have forced five turnovers through two games, only committing one themselves.
Attack mode: Freshman safety Jonathan Crawford credited Indiana's turnover prowess to the team's defensive mentality to "attack the whole game." Crawford said Indiana's coaching staff has been telling players to play aggressively and erase mistakes early on and just play.
Jones was pumped: Redshirt junior wide receiver Ricky Jones said "the sideline was exploding" when Cook came up with his game-clinching interception. "It was crazy," Jones said.
Hilltoppers are coming: Indiana will play Western Kentucky this week in a battle of unbeaten teams. The Hilltoppers have wins over Vanderbilt and Louisiana Tech by a combined five points. The Hilltoppers will be without star running back Leon Allen, who injured his knee last week. Allen, a senior, rushed for 1,542 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.
Fresh opponent: Western Kentucky defeated Louisiana Tech, 41-38, last Thursday, giving the Hilltoppers two extra days to prepare for Indiana. Whether or not that proves to help will remain to be seen. It's worth noting that Florida International also had two extra days to prepare for Indiana.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana football received some much-needed help from its defense Saturday, turning three turnovers into 20 points in the Hoosiers' 36-22 win against Florida International.
Every Sunday, IUHoosiers.com looks back on the week that was and gets a head start on previewing the matchup to come. The Hoosiers (2-0) will stay at home for a third consecutive weekend to play Western Kentucky (2-0) on Saturday with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m.
Still winning: Indiana's win over FIU improved the Hoosiers' overall record to 2-0 for the first time since 2012, and for the second time in head coach Kevin Wilson's tenure. Indiana hasn't started a season 3-0 since 2010.
Leading the conference: Indiana is one of six remaining undefeated Big Ten teams, joining fellow Big Ten East rivals Ohio State and Michigan State, as well as Illinois, Iowa and Northwestern at 2-0.
Paige's first score: Redshirt junior receiver Mitchell Paige's 16-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter was his first career score. After the game, Paige said it felt good to get the first one out of the way after managing to go his first three seasons on campus without finding the end zone.
Sudfeld's scrambles: Senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld now owns five career rushing touchdowns after adding two against Florida International. He joked earlier in the week that he understands why fans get nervous seeing their quarterback take off running, but it's hard to argue against taking those risks when he's putting up points.
Fant Island: Redshirt sophomore Rashard Fant had a career-high four pass breakups one week after being shaken up against Southern Illinois with concussion-like symptoms. Largely regarded as Indiana's best cover corner by the coaches, Fant had a nose for the ball in Indiana's win. He also picked up four tackles.
Value the football: Indiana forced FIU into three turnovers—a forced fumble and a recovered fumble by Nick Mangieri and an interception by freshman safety Jameel Cook, Jr.—and only had one of its own, which was a harmless interception by Sudfeld on third-and-long that served as a makeshift punt. The Hoosiers have forced five turnovers through two games, only committing one themselves.
Attack mode: Freshman safety Jonathan Crawford credited Indiana's turnover prowess to the team's defensive mentality to "attack the whole game." Crawford said Indiana's coaching staff has been telling players to play aggressively and erase mistakes early on and just play.
Jones was pumped: Redshirt junior wide receiver Ricky Jones said "the sideline was exploding" when Cook came up with his game-clinching interception. "It was crazy," Jones said.
Hilltoppers are coming: Indiana will play Western Kentucky this week in a battle of unbeaten teams. The Hilltoppers have wins over Vanderbilt and Louisiana Tech by a combined five points. The Hilltoppers will be without star running back Leon Allen, who injured his knee last week. Allen, a senior, rushed for 1,542 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.
Fresh opponent: Western Kentucky defeated Louisiana Tech, 41-38, last Thursday, giving the Hilltoppers two extra days to prepare for Indiana. Whether or not that proves to help will remain to be seen. It's worth noting that Florida International also had two extra days to prepare for Indiana.
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