Indiana University Athletics
Journey Continues – IU receiver Luke Timian Looks to Keep Building
10/18/2017 5:32:00 PM | Football
By: Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Luke Timian's path less traveled is complete. He's a Hoosier now, a Big Ten difference-making junior receiver for an Indiana offense growing into its future.
Timian went from Texas to Oklahoma to Bloomington; from walk-on to scholarship player and, now, starter.
"This was my goal, to start for a big-time program like this," Timian says. "I don't think my journey is over. I'm going to try to build off of this one, come back with a stronger performance."
That's quite a statement given he's at his best against the best.
Consider what Timian did against Ohio State and Michigan, two of the nation's top programs.
He had 10 catches for 72 yards against Ohio State in the season opener. He burned Michigan last Saturday with seven catches for a career-high 95 yards.
Timian's performance against Michigan was especially impressive given the Wolverines boast a defense as good as any in America. He was quick to credit quarterback Peyton Ramsey.
"There were a couple of plays Peyton would roll out and I'd stay alive for him," Timian says. "That's the type of player he is. He'll extend plays. That was part of it. He was extending plays and I was coming back for him. I was making some touch catches for him. That was a difference maker."
Michigan's up-close-and-personal pass coverage added to the degree of difficulty.
"I was making some competitive catches," Timian says. "They play a lot of man coverage. That's the type of matchups you'll get. They'll be on your back. That was what I was doing well."
That, perhaps as much as anything, showcases Timian's potential. It also led to IU coaches naming him team offensive player of the week.
"He just made so many clutch catches, especially there at the end," head coach Tom Allen says, "and provides a ton of consistency. I'm really proud of his performance and how hard he plays."
Or as Timian puts it, "We're playing better teams more frequently. You play a Penn State, a Michigan, an Ohio State. If you can play with them, you can play with anyone in the country."
Ramsey's mobility and knack for keeping plays alive forces Timian, and all Hoosier receivers to stay on high alert.
"With Peyton, we never know if he'll run or dump it off to one of us," Timian says. "That's huge for me. I've got to focus on what he's doing. You never take a play off. You always stay alive for him."
Timian ranks second on the team with 29 catches, trailing only Simmie Cobbs Jr., who has 37 catches. His 235 receiving yards (with a long of 24 against Michigan) trails Cobbs (409 yards) and Ian Thomas (260).
Last year, Timian split time between slot receiver, which has more inside routes, and outside receiver. This year, he's almost always in the slot, which demands more physical play and a tough-minded approach.
"With the slot role," he says, "it's about finding space. You've got to block. You've got to block linebackers. And there are other things you have to do. I'm feeling more comfortable with that now."
J-Shun Harris II (2 catches) and Whop Philyor (7 catches, 40 yards, 1 touchdown) also play slot receiver. Timian says the competition helps.
"We're pushing each other every day. We're trying to get more comfortable with Peyton, get everyone involved and make each other the best players we can be."
Timian's success isn't surprising. He was IU's walk-on player of the year last season after totaling 19 catches for 277 yards and a touchdown. With the graduation of receivers Mitchell Paige and Ricky Jones, opportunity was there if he could take advantage.
He has.
"I knew I would be coming into a starting role," he says. "I took it from there. I started playing at a higher level."
Timian was hoping for a faster path to that higher level after a Texas all-state senior season at Southlake High School. He was a three-year letterwinner in football and track at Southlake, and played on the school's 2011 Class 5A state title team.
He walked on at Oklahoma State and redshirted as a true freshman. He soon realized it wasn't the program for him.
"I thought the path I chose was the best for me, but it ended up not being the best," he says. "Oklahoma State was not the right fit for me."
Timian had a recruiting connection with former IU receivers coach Kevin Johns, and decided to join the program as a walk-on.
"I needed a fresh start," Timian says. "I had built a relationship with Coach Johns. I decided this would be the best fit for me. I really came into my own here. I'm trying to make the most of my opportunity."
Timian spent two years proving himself. In August, Allen surprised Timian during a team meeting by giving him a scholarship.
"It was nice to see my hard work rewarded because I had put so much into getting a scholarship for my family." Timian says. "It was huge from that aspect. At the same time, now that the coaches have put that trust into me, I have to relay that back to them."
IU offensive coordinator Mike DeBord says Timian is smart, tough and quick. He runs good routes. He reads defenses to know how and when to alter routes, crucial in the slot role.
Cobbs adds that, 'His role has always been big. He knows he needs to make plays. The guys behind him know they have to make plays. We have to hold ourselves to a standard at the wide receiver position. You never know when it's your time, and when it is, you're expected to make plays no matter what."
On Saturday plays need to be made at No. 18/19 Michigan State (5-1). The Hoosiers (3-3) will face a ranked team for the fourth time this season, and 14th time in the last 29 games.
"They play hard," Timian says of Michigan State. "They had five takeaways against Michigan. That's something we have to be aware of. We have to protect the ball. That could be the difference maker.
"We have to focus, especially at key times. There were a couple plays we left out there against Michigan that would have been difference makers, so I think we're really going to emphasize that going forward."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Luke Timian's path less traveled is complete. He's a Hoosier now, a Big Ten difference-making junior receiver for an Indiana offense growing into its future.
Timian went from Texas to Oklahoma to Bloomington; from walk-on to scholarship player and, now, starter.
"This was my goal, to start for a big-time program like this," Timian says. "I don't think my journey is over. I'm going to try to build off of this one, come back with a stronger performance."
That's quite a statement given he's at his best against the best.
Consider what Timian did against Ohio State and Michigan, two of the nation's top programs.
He had 10 catches for 72 yards against Ohio State in the season opener. He burned Michigan last Saturday with seven catches for a career-high 95 yards.
Timian's performance against Michigan was especially impressive given the Wolverines boast a defense as good as any in America. He was quick to credit quarterback Peyton Ramsey.
"There were a couple of plays Peyton would roll out and I'd stay alive for him," Timian says. "That's the type of player he is. He'll extend plays. That was part of it. He was extending plays and I was coming back for him. I was making some touch catches for him. That was a difference maker."
Michigan's up-close-and-personal pass coverage added to the degree of difficulty.
"I was making some competitive catches," Timian says. "They play a lot of man coverage. That's the type of matchups you'll get. They'll be on your back. That was what I was doing well."
That, perhaps as much as anything, showcases Timian's potential. It also led to IU coaches naming him team offensive player of the week.
"He just made so many clutch catches, especially there at the end," head coach Tom Allen says, "and provides a ton of consistency. I'm really proud of his performance and how hard he plays."
Or as Timian puts it, "We're playing better teams more frequently. You play a Penn State, a Michigan, an Ohio State. If you can play with them, you can play with anyone in the country."
Ramsey's mobility and knack for keeping plays alive forces Timian, and all Hoosier receivers to stay on high alert.
"With Peyton, we never know if he'll run or dump it off to one of us," Timian says. "That's huge for me. I've got to focus on what he's doing. You never take a play off. You always stay alive for him."
Timian ranks second on the team with 29 catches, trailing only Simmie Cobbs Jr., who has 37 catches. His 235 receiving yards (with a long of 24 against Michigan) trails Cobbs (409 yards) and Ian Thomas (260).
Last year, Timian split time between slot receiver, which has more inside routes, and outside receiver. This year, he's almost always in the slot, which demands more physical play and a tough-minded approach.
"With the slot role," he says, "it's about finding space. You've got to block. You've got to block linebackers. And there are other things you have to do. I'm feeling more comfortable with that now."
J-Shun Harris II (2 catches) and Whop Philyor (7 catches, 40 yards, 1 touchdown) also play slot receiver. Timian says the competition helps.
"We're pushing each other every day. We're trying to get more comfortable with Peyton, get everyone involved and make each other the best players we can be."
Timian's success isn't surprising. He was IU's walk-on player of the year last season after totaling 19 catches for 277 yards and a touchdown. With the graduation of receivers Mitchell Paige and Ricky Jones, opportunity was there if he could take advantage.
He has.
"I knew I would be coming into a starting role," he says. "I took it from there. I started playing at a higher level."
Timian was hoping for a faster path to that higher level after a Texas all-state senior season at Southlake High School. He was a three-year letterwinner in football and track at Southlake, and played on the school's 2011 Class 5A state title team.
He walked on at Oklahoma State and redshirted as a true freshman. He soon realized it wasn't the program for him.
"I thought the path I chose was the best for me, but it ended up not being the best," he says. "Oklahoma State was not the right fit for me."
Timian had a recruiting connection with former IU receivers coach Kevin Johns, and decided to join the program as a walk-on.
"I needed a fresh start," Timian says. "I had built a relationship with Coach Johns. I decided this would be the best fit for me. I really came into my own here. I'm trying to make the most of my opportunity."
Timian spent two years proving himself. In August, Allen surprised Timian during a team meeting by giving him a scholarship.
"It was nice to see my hard work rewarded because I had put so much into getting a scholarship for my family." Timian says. "It was huge from that aspect. At the same time, now that the coaches have put that trust into me, I have to relay that back to them."
IU offensive coordinator Mike DeBord says Timian is smart, tough and quick. He runs good routes. He reads defenses to know how and when to alter routes, crucial in the slot role.
Cobbs adds that, 'His role has always been big. He knows he needs to make plays. The guys behind him know they have to make plays. We have to hold ourselves to a standard at the wide receiver position. You never know when it's your time, and when it is, you're expected to make plays no matter what."
On Saturday plays need to be made at No. 18/19 Michigan State (5-1). The Hoosiers (3-3) will face a ranked team for the fourth time this season, and 14th time in the last 29 games.
"They play hard," Timian says of Michigan State. "They had five takeaways against Michigan. That's something we have to be aware of. We have to protect the ball. That could be the difference maker.
"We have to focus, especially at key times. There were a couple plays we left out there against Michigan that would have been difference makers, so I think we're really going to emphasize that going forward."
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