Indiana University Athletics
Wednesday Notebook: Hoosiers Head Into Bye Week
9/13/2017 5:15:00 PM | Football
By: Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Does Indiana have quarterback drama?
No.
Does it have two quarterbacks -- at least -- it can win with?
Absolutely.
Redshirt freshman Peyton Ramsey's break-through performance in Saturday's win at Virginia followed fifth-year senior Richard Lagow's monster season-opening effort against No. 2 Ohio State.
What does that mean moving forward?
Both will play. Everything else comes down to performance, hunch and hot hand.
"Every (opponent) is different," offensive coordinator Mike DeBord said. "We'll always play both guys. We'll see how the game is going and what's there. Every game has a different story. I don't know what the story for this week will be. We'll see how that plays out.
"It's a game-day feel. What's the defense giving you? What do you feel you need to do?"
Or, as head coach Tom Allen put it, "It's a gut feel, for sure. But I'm just telling you, when you have the ability, whether it's change pace, change scheme, change things that force the defense -- whether it's a running back that brings a certain skill set, you bring another guy in, he brings a different type of running style -- it forces defenses to prepare for both. That's hard to do sometimes.
"So I just feel like we go with our gut, prepare them to play at a high level and see how the game plays itself out."
Ramsey's impact at Virginia was dramatic. The IU offense was going nowhere until his dual-threat effort provided a game-changing spark. He threw for 173 yards and two touchdowns. He ran for 42 yards and another TD.
"Anytime somebody enters the game without a lot of experience, you always want to see if the game comes fast or slow for him," DeBord said. "I thought the game was slow for Peyton. I thought he handled things very well. He managed the team. He played within the rules of every play."
Ramsey completed his first 11 passes and finished 16-for-20. He didn't throw an interception.
And he did that on the road.
"You've got to recognize a guy like Peyton Ramsey who comes in and made tremendous plays for us," Allen said. "It's just another example of the grit and toughness mindset. That's what our program wants to be all about."
Lagow doesn't have Ramsey's running ability, but has the edge in generating big pass plays. He did, after all, throw for 410 yards and three touchdowns against Ohio State.
Plus, he's an outstanding leader and teammate.
So how will coaches juggle playing time?
"I think it's on feel," Allen said. "We have two different quarterbacks that have two different skill sets that I like.
"I know when you have two individuals at a certain position, especially at that position, that can play at a high level, that's where we want to be.
"You've got to have two quarterbacks, three quarterbacks to play a (full) season. I'm excited we have two that have proven they can make plays at a high level. We want those guys to compete. We'll make those decisions as they come. The bottom line is they're both going to play."
*****
Did a bad call cost IU (1-1) a fumble recovery for a touchdown and result in senior defensive end Greg Gooch's ejection against Virginia?
It all comes down to perspective, but in the end, Allen said, no.
After looking at the game film, Allen said the referees called the play the way the rules dictate it should have been called. Gooch's helmet hit Virginia quarterback Kurt Benkert's face while sacking him and causing a fumble that senior defensive end Robert McCray III picked up and ran for a touchdown. Accidental or not, by rule, that's targeting.
The play was overturned. Virginia kept the ball and eventually scored a touchdown, a 14-point turnaround.
Gooch was ejected. Because it came in the second half, he'll also have to sit out the first half against Georgia Southern.
Allen said he first thought the play should have stood as a touchdown, but after watching replays, he understood why the officials disallowed it.
"It's unfortunate. It's one of those situations where with the way the rules are written now, the way it's structured for player safety, that kind of hit, when it goes up through and the crown of your helmet hits the chin of the quarterback, they're going to call that.
"I think the initial contact was on the shoulder, then it drives up and through. People thought it was a bad call, but it doesn't matter what we think. In the way they're going to call the game for the quarterback position, that's going to get called. We just have to learn from it, lower our target, play with the same aggression, same intensity, same toughness.
"I hate it for Greg, I hate it for our team because that was a big-time play to make. Scoop and score, those don't happen very often now defensively."
To avoid such calls in the future, Allen added, means IU players must focus on tackling lower on the body.
"Based on height of the quarterback, you've got to lower your target," Allen said. "You've got to sink your hips a little bit more (and go with) the same toughness, same tenacity. Gosh, it's hard. To me that's not one of those penalties where you get on a kid."
BIG TEN HONORS HARRIS
Return specialist J-Shun Harris II reflects why Allen is so high on these Hoosiers.
Harris didn't let a bad mistake compound into another. He turned a negative into a game-clinching positive.
Oh, he also was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week.
Harris' 44-yard punt return for a touchdown basically sealed the 34-17 victory. He had a 43-yard return earlier in the game, and finished with 109 return yards.
His 109 yards after two games rank fourth nationally and lead the Big Ten. His average of 21.8 yards a punt return ranks sixth nationally.
Harris bounced back from catching a punt on the 2-yard line rather than letting it bounce in the end zone for a touchback. He also has overcome a pair of knee injuries that cost him the previous two seasons.
"I used him as an example to our team because he had an errant decision he made early in the game that was really costly, that put us really, really pinned back on a punt return," Allen said. "I made the decision to keep him in the game, stay with him, let him know I believed in him.
I talked to him. I said, 'Hey, I believe in you. You got to flush it, press on, keep playing.'
"He came back with two big returns. The final one was a big touchdown. I'm proud of the way he's responded. He's been through a ton of adversity in his career. He just keeps fighting. I love his attitude, love his toughness. He owned his mistake. I'm really proud of that response."
WHITEHEAD MAKES WATCH LIST
For a guy who never played in an American football game until his debut against No. 2 Ohio State twelve days ago, Haydon Whitehead is making a heck of an impact.
The Australian native out of Melbourne has made the watch list for the Ray Guy Award, which goes annually to the nation's best punter.
Whitehead averages 42.1 yards on 16 punts, with a long of 56 yards. He has seven punts inside the 20-yard line, and four inside the 10. Only four of his punts have been returned, for a total of 27 yards.
He spent 15 years playing Australian Rules Football. His first visit to America came last December as part of his official visit to IU.
"(Whitehead) is one of the hardest working specialists I've ever been around," Allen said. "As a matter of fact, we have to hold him back. If he doesn't have the kind of day he wants, he'll be out here practicing at night. I have to go out there and say, you've kicked enough. He's a very, very hard-working young man."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Does Indiana have quarterback drama?
No.
Does it have two quarterbacks -- at least -- it can win with?
Absolutely.
Redshirt freshman Peyton Ramsey's break-through performance in Saturday's win at Virginia followed fifth-year senior Richard Lagow's monster season-opening effort against No. 2 Ohio State.
What does that mean moving forward?
Both will play. Everything else comes down to performance, hunch and hot hand.
"Every (opponent) is different," offensive coordinator Mike DeBord said. "We'll always play both guys. We'll see how the game is going and what's there. Every game has a different story. I don't know what the story for this week will be. We'll see how that plays out.
"It's a game-day feel. What's the defense giving you? What do you feel you need to do?"
Or, as head coach Tom Allen put it, "It's a gut feel, for sure. But I'm just telling you, when you have the ability, whether it's change pace, change scheme, change things that force the defense -- whether it's a running back that brings a certain skill set, you bring another guy in, he brings a different type of running style -- it forces defenses to prepare for both. That's hard to do sometimes.
"So I just feel like we go with our gut, prepare them to play at a high level and see how the game plays itself out."
Ramsey's impact at Virginia was dramatic. The IU offense was going nowhere until his dual-threat effort provided a game-changing spark. He threw for 173 yards and two touchdowns. He ran for 42 yards and another TD.
"Anytime somebody enters the game without a lot of experience, you always want to see if the game comes fast or slow for him," DeBord said. "I thought the game was slow for Peyton. I thought he handled things very well. He managed the team. He played within the rules of every play."
Ramsey completed his first 11 passes and finished 16-for-20. He didn't throw an interception.
And he did that on the road.
"You've got to recognize a guy like Peyton Ramsey who comes in and made tremendous plays for us," Allen said. "It's just another example of the grit and toughness mindset. That's what our program wants to be all about."
Lagow doesn't have Ramsey's running ability, but has the edge in generating big pass plays. He did, after all, throw for 410 yards and three touchdowns against Ohio State.
Plus, he's an outstanding leader and teammate.
So how will coaches juggle playing time?
"I think it's on feel," Allen said. "We have two different quarterbacks that have two different skill sets that I like.
"I know when you have two individuals at a certain position, especially at that position, that can play at a high level, that's where we want to be.
"You've got to have two quarterbacks, three quarterbacks to play a (full) season. I'm excited we have two that have proven they can make plays at a high level. We want those guys to compete. We'll make those decisions as they come. The bottom line is they're both going to play."
*****
Did a bad call cost IU (1-1) a fumble recovery for a touchdown and result in senior defensive end Greg Gooch's ejection against Virginia?
It all comes down to perspective, but in the end, Allen said, no.
After looking at the game film, Allen said the referees called the play the way the rules dictate it should have been called. Gooch's helmet hit Virginia quarterback Kurt Benkert's face while sacking him and causing a fumble that senior defensive end Robert McCray III picked up and ran for a touchdown. Accidental or not, by rule, that's targeting.
The play was overturned. Virginia kept the ball and eventually scored a touchdown, a 14-point turnaround.
Gooch was ejected. Because it came in the second half, he'll also have to sit out the first half against Georgia Southern.
Allen said he first thought the play should have stood as a touchdown, but after watching replays, he understood why the officials disallowed it.
"It's unfortunate. It's one of those situations where with the way the rules are written now, the way it's structured for player safety, that kind of hit, when it goes up through and the crown of your helmet hits the chin of the quarterback, they're going to call that.
"I think the initial contact was on the shoulder, then it drives up and through. People thought it was a bad call, but it doesn't matter what we think. In the way they're going to call the game for the quarterback position, that's going to get called. We just have to learn from it, lower our target, play with the same aggression, same intensity, same toughness.
"I hate it for Greg, I hate it for our team because that was a big-time play to make. Scoop and score, those don't happen very often now defensively."
To avoid such calls in the future, Allen added, means IU players must focus on tackling lower on the body.
"Based on height of the quarterback, you've got to lower your target," Allen said. "You've got to sink your hips a little bit more (and go with) the same toughness, same tenacity. Gosh, it's hard. To me that's not one of those penalties where you get on a kid."
BIG TEN HONORS HARRIS
Return specialist J-Shun Harris II reflects why Allen is so high on these Hoosiers.
Harris didn't let a bad mistake compound into another. He turned a negative into a game-clinching positive.
Oh, he also was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week.
Harris' 44-yard punt return for a touchdown basically sealed the 34-17 victory. He had a 43-yard return earlier in the game, and finished with 109 return yards.
His 109 yards after two games rank fourth nationally and lead the Big Ten. His average of 21.8 yards a punt return ranks sixth nationally.
Harris bounced back from catching a punt on the 2-yard line rather than letting it bounce in the end zone for a touchback. He also has overcome a pair of knee injuries that cost him the previous two seasons.
"I used him as an example to our team because he had an errant decision he made early in the game that was really costly, that put us really, really pinned back on a punt return," Allen said. "I made the decision to keep him in the game, stay with him, let him know I believed in him.
I talked to him. I said, 'Hey, I believe in you. You got to flush it, press on, keep playing.'
"He came back with two big returns. The final one was a big touchdown. I'm proud of the way he's responded. He's been through a ton of adversity in his career. He just keeps fighting. I love his attitude, love his toughness. He owned his mistake. I'm really proud of that response."
WHITEHEAD MAKES WATCH LIST
For a guy who never played in an American football game until his debut against No. 2 Ohio State twelve days ago, Haydon Whitehead is making a heck of an impact.
The Australian native out of Melbourne has made the watch list for the Ray Guy Award, which goes annually to the nation's best punter.
Whitehead averages 42.1 yards on 16 punts, with a long of 56 yards. He has seven punts inside the 20-yard line, and four inside the 10. Only four of his punts have been returned, for a total of 27 yards.
He spent 15 years playing Australian Rules Football. His first visit to America came last December as part of his official visit to IU.
"(Whitehead) is one of the hardest working specialists I've ever been around," Allen said. "As a matter of fact, we have to hold him back. If he doesn't have the kind of day he wants, he'll be out here practicing at night. I have to go out there and say, you've kicked enough. He's a very, very hard-working young man."
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