Indiana University Athletics
Neither Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor Snow, Nor Wolverines …
11/12/2018 9:53:00 PM | Football
By Andy Graham
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Jonathan Crawford checked the weather app. All he saw was a snowflake.
It represented the forecast Saturday for Ann Arbor, Mich., where Michigan's No. 4-ranked Wolverines will host Crawford and Indiana for a 4 p.m. kickoff.
And it isn't the sort of icon Crawford, a native Floridian, grew up used to seeing.
But it is in keeping with his experience of Ann Arbor, which began two years ago as Michigan posted a 20-10 win over IU.
"Oh, my God ... the beginning of the game, warmups, it was snowing and drizzling," Crawford said, hints of both wonder and horror in his voice. "That was crazy. I'm from Florida, so that was definitely something new for me."
The entire atmosphere at Michigan Stadium, which fully earns its nickname "The Big House" with 107,601 seats (and crowds often exceeding that number), will seem new to many of Crawford's defensive teammates.
There are 10 freshmen listed on IU's defensive depth chart for the Michigan game. And four sophomores.
(That doesn't count true freshman linebacker James Miller, who helped sub in Saturday's win over Maryland for listed redshirt junior linebacker Reakwon Jones, whose availability for Michigan remains uncertain due to injury).
So that amounts to at least 14 Hoosier defenders in the regular rotation who have never played at The Big House – and 13 of them are from south of the Mason/Dixon line, from places not accustomed to snowy autumns.
"Really, they haven't experienced it," Crawford said. "You can tell them all you want, but it's going to be a different atmosphere once you're there. Especially because it's supposed to snow. So really just got to tell them to focus."
Indiana battled both the weather and the Wolverines will on that last trip to Ann Arbor. And the last two games between the teams in Bloomington both went into overtime before Michigan prevailed (double-OT, 48-41, in 2015, and 27-20 in OT last fall).
"I feel like we just compete with whoever we're playing against very well," Crawford said. "Last couple years, we always play hard. The effort is there.
"Just knowing that Coach (Tom) Allen puts up a great scheme (for the Wolverines). We just believe in it, and go hard every time we play them."
But this Michigan team is playing to maintain a College Football Playoff berth. And it features grad-transfer quarterback Shea Patterson, who has made the Wolverine offense more potent, and the nation's top-ranked defensive unit.
"He's a great quarterback and he opens up their offense, as well, with him being able to run," IU fifth-year senior defensive tackle Mike Barwick Jr. said of Patterson. "Great quarterback."
Barwick is one of seven upperclassmen on the depth chart for Indiana's defensive line, by far the most experienced unit on the Hoosiers defense, and he isn't fazed by that.
Nor by the forecast.
"I've played in the snow my whole life," Barwick, who hails from Cincinnati, said with a smile. "The last time we went up to Ann Arbor, it was snowing, but it's nothing new to me, being from the Midwest. So I'm used to it."
TAKEAWAY QUARTETS
Barwick was on the sidelines when he saw his team clinch Saturday's 34-32 victory over Maryland that evened IU's record at 5-5 and placed the Hoosiers one win away from bowl eligibility.
IU grad-transfer defensive tackle Kayton Samuels – who was later named IU's Defensive Player of the Game – stripped Terp quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome of the ball and fifth-year senior defensive end Nile Sykes fell on it for the Hoosiers to seal the outcome.
"I was on the sideline, and I was standing at a good angle to see the whole thing go down," Barwick said. "I saw the ball pop out and got excited – and was hoping the guys didn't get too excited about the sack to notice, and that somebody would fall on the ball.
"Fortunately, Nile was there to get it. It's great. We work so hard. We put in a lot of work, and you want to reap the benefits from it, and it had been a while."
That play marked the Hoosiers' fourth takeaway of the day, and their second straight four-takeaway game. The last time that happened was in 1996, Bill Mallory's final coaching campaign.
IU leads the Big Ten and shares fourth nationally with 24 takeaways.
The Hoosiers lead the league and are tied for first in the country with 13 fumble recoveries, and their 11 interceptions rank fifth among their Big Ten brethren and tied for 25th nationally.
Indiana has had at least one takeaway in its last 16 games (the nation's second-longest streak) and at least one interception in its last eight – with Saturday's courtesy of true freshman cornerback Jaylin Williams.
JUKE (IN THE) BOX
Not one, not two, but three and maybe even four Maryland defenders found themselves left in the lurch by IU redshirt sophomore quarterback Peyton Ramsey's fleet feet during the 35-yard TD run that got the Hoosier scoring started Saturday.
"I was just trying not to get hit," Ramsey said of the successful jukes he made to free himself. "That's probably what it came down to.
"On a zone-read, it's my job to make at least one guy miss. I had an opportunity to make a couple of guys miss, so that one felt good, for sure."
It doubtless also felt good to throw a pair of TD passes and to consistently gouge the Terps downfield through the air. Ramsey had averaged 9.2 yards per completion during IU's first nine games. He averaged 15.2 Saturday.
"I think it just shows that we're capable of doing that, capable of making plays down the field," Ramsey said, before specifically praising the receiving corps that joined the QB in earning Offensive Players of the Game citation from coaches:
"Donavan (Hale), Nick (Westbrook) and Ty (Fryfogle) did a really good job on the outside of going up and making plays. Luke (Timian) had one across the middle, too.
"So (it's a matter of) just continuing to take our shots when they're there. They'll give us some opportunities this weekend. So taking our shots, giving those guys opportunities to make plays, is going to be crucial for us."
Indiana has demonstrated more capacity for downfield plays over the past month. Ramsey feels that is a matter of what defenses have given, and of the Hoosiers building some confidence.
"I would say, ever since the Iowa game (Oct. 13), we've had opportunities to get one-on-matchups outside," Ramsey said. "A lot less zone coverage in the games since Iowa. I think confidence is a big thing in that, too.
"Once you start to hit a couple, you feel a little more confident throwing the ball down the field, and I'd say that's where my confidence level is at now."
Ramsey has also seen Reese Taylor – shifted to QB full-time after Michael Penix Jr.'s knee injury – sharing snaps in practice. That, along with a well-timed bye week, has Ramsey's arm and feet feeling fresh.
"Reese is getting a lot of reps in practice," IU offensive coordinator Mike DeBord said Monday. "We balance those out about 50/50 in practice, but give Peyton the throws he'd need to have to get ready for the game, too.
"Nick (Sheridan) does a great job of monitoring that. I've always trusted him and always will. So he takes care of that."
Asked if Saturday marked Ramsey's finest hour so far this fall, DeBord demurred a bit. "Well, I don't know," DeBord replied. "You go back early in the season and he's completing over 70 percent, there, for a long period of time. And just playing great.
"(But) I think when you saw him make that TD run, I think that was a result of what we did in the bye week. We rested him. He didn't take any snaps. He threw the ball a bit in individual (drills), but didn't take any snaps. And we didn't have him run and all that. And I think you saw – he's healthy, now.
"That kid gives you everything he has. I love him. He battles all the time. But now he's got his legs under him a little bit better. He had a great game Saturday."
INJURY UPDATES
Redshirt junior linebacker Reakwon Jones missed Saturday's game due to injury but might return this week. And Hoosier head coach Tom Allen feels his team is relatively healthy headed up to Michigan.
"Reakwon is really day-to-day," Allen said. "We're hoping to get him back for Saturday, and we'll know more later in the week. But he's working hard to get to that point."
Sophomore wideout Whop Philyor has had a surgical procedure done, but Allen isn't ruling him out for the season as of yet.
Senior defensive tackle Jacob Robinson continues to work back from a lower leg injury and saw some snaps Saturday. Redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Jerome Johnson and true freshman linebacker Micah McFadden both exited Saturday's game but both are expected back.
"We'll get (true freshman) James Miller some reps at linebacker in practice this week to see if we have to have him more ready than he was maybe a week ago," Allen said, "to be able to have the scheme knowledge. We did some specific things that would have been hard for a
guy to come in there (and) know what he was doing.
"He plays special teams, even got some reps on defense. That was his first time of really getting to play defense, and he got one rep in Minnesota on a kickoff cover and that was it. So very, very valuable experience."
SWEET 16
Madison Norris' participation Saturday made it 16 true freshmen who have seen the field for IU this fall, up from 12 a year ago. Additionally, 12 redshirt freshmen have debuted in 2018.
"Getting Madison (Norris) out there, running down, covering kicks, he was all fired up," Allen said of the 2018 state hurdles champ from Hamilton Southeastern. "He's going to be a really good player. He's already gained a bunch of weight since he's been here. He came in at 189 pounds … now he's up to about 216. That's a significant change for him."
The new NCAA four-game participation option while retaining redshirt status has made it possible for more freshmen to test the waters this year.
The true frosh who have played this fall are:
Matt Bjorson (TE), James Head Jr. (DE), Jamar Johnson (S), Cam Jones (H), Shamar Jones (DT), Miles Marshall (WR), Devon Matthews (S), Micah McFadden (LB), James Miller (LB), Madison Norris (DE), Kristian Pechac (RB), Michael Penix Jr. (QB), Stevie Scott (RB), Reese
Taylor (ATH), Ronnie Walker Jr. (RB) and Jaylin Williams (CB).
"Miles Marshall hasn't played (much), but I see him growing and developing every day (and also) Jacolby Hewitt – those are two young freshmen receivers that I have high expectations for," Allen said. "Just trying to get those guys involved, and they may get some opportunities on special teams here. (DE) Jonathan King is another guy that we just try to continue to work and bring along, and try to get in position to get out there if the opportunity warrants that.
"So, that's where this new rule helps. I'm excited. It's a (freshman) group that's already been extremely active this season. (Even) with the guys that you know about, there are several guys that haven't played at all that I think are quietly developing their bodies and doing the little things right and going to class, and learning how to be a Big Ten football player. They're going to be a huge part of our program in the future."
THAT OTHER CRIMSON TEAM
Michigan marks Indiana's second Top 5-ranked opponent this fall and its eighth since the start of the 2015 season. That is second-most, nationally.
The only team to have played more? Alabama, with nine.
That's life in the SEC West. And the Big Ten East.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Jonathan Crawford checked the weather app. All he saw was a snowflake.
It represented the forecast Saturday for Ann Arbor, Mich., where Michigan's No. 4-ranked Wolverines will host Crawford and Indiana for a 4 p.m. kickoff.
And it isn't the sort of icon Crawford, a native Floridian, grew up used to seeing.
But it is in keeping with his experience of Ann Arbor, which began two years ago as Michigan posted a 20-10 win over IU.
"Oh, my God ... the beginning of the game, warmups, it was snowing and drizzling," Crawford said, hints of both wonder and horror in his voice. "That was crazy. I'm from Florida, so that was definitely something new for me."
The entire atmosphere at Michigan Stadium, which fully earns its nickname "The Big House" with 107,601 seats (and crowds often exceeding that number), will seem new to many of Crawford's defensive teammates.
There are 10 freshmen listed on IU's defensive depth chart for the Michigan game. And four sophomores.
(That doesn't count true freshman linebacker James Miller, who helped sub in Saturday's win over Maryland for listed redshirt junior linebacker Reakwon Jones, whose availability for Michigan remains uncertain due to injury).
So that amounts to at least 14 Hoosier defenders in the regular rotation who have never played at The Big House – and 13 of them are from south of the Mason/Dixon line, from places not accustomed to snowy autumns.
"Really, they haven't experienced it," Crawford said. "You can tell them all you want, but it's going to be a different atmosphere once you're there. Especially because it's supposed to snow. So really just got to tell them to focus."
Indiana battled both the weather and the Wolverines will on that last trip to Ann Arbor. And the last two games between the teams in Bloomington both went into overtime before Michigan prevailed (double-OT, 48-41, in 2015, and 27-20 in OT last fall).
"I feel like we just compete with whoever we're playing against very well," Crawford said. "Last couple years, we always play hard. The effort is there.
"Just knowing that Coach (Tom) Allen puts up a great scheme (for the Wolverines). We just believe in it, and go hard every time we play them."
But this Michigan team is playing to maintain a College Football Playoff berth. And it features grad-transfer quarterback Shea Patterson, who has made the Wolverine offense more potent, and the nation's top-ranked defensive unit.
"He's a great quarterback and he opens up their offense, as well, with him being able to run," IU fifth-year senior defensive tackle Mike Barwick Jr. said of Patterson. "Great quarterback."
Barwick is one of seven upperclassmen on the depth chart for Indiana's defensive line, by far the most experienced unit on the Hoosiers defense, and he isn't fazed by that.
Nor by the forecast.
"I've played in the snow my whole life," Barwick, who hails from Cincinnati, said with a smile. "The last time we went up to Ann Arbor, it was snowing, but it's nothing new to me, being from the Midwest. So I'm used to it."
TAKEAWAY QUARTETS
Barwick was on the sidelines when he saw his team clinch Saturday's 34-32 victory over Maryland that evened IU's record at 5-5 and placed the Hoosiers one win away from bowl eligibility.
IU grad-transfer defensive tackle Kayton Samuels – who was later named IU's Defensive Player of the Game – stripped Terp quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome of the ball and fifth-year senior defensive end Nile Sykes fell on it for the Hoosiers to seal the outcome.
"I was on the sideline, and I was standing at a good angle to see the whole thing go down," Barwick said. "I saw the ball pop out and got excited – and was hoping the guys didn't get too excited about the sack to notice, and that somebody would fall on the ball.
"Fortunately, Nile was there to get it. It's great. We work so hard. We put in a lot of work, and you want to reap the benefits from it, and it had been a while."
That play marked the Hoosiers' fourth takeaway of the day, and their second straight four-takeaway game. The last time that happened was in 1996, Bill Mallory's final coaching campaign.
IU leads the Big Ten and shares fourth nationally with 24 takeaways.
The Hoosiers lead the league and are tied for first in the country with 13 fumble recoveries, and their 11 interceptions rank fifth among their Big Ten brethren and tied for 25th nationally.
Indiana has had at least one takeaway in its last 16 games (the nation's second-longest streak) and at least one interception in its last eight – with Saturday's courtesy of true freshman cornerback Jaylin Williams.
JUKE (IN THE) BOX
Not one, not two, but three and maybe even four Maryland defenders found themselves left in the lurch by IU redshirt sophomore quarterback Peyton Ramsey's fleet feet during the 35-yard TD run that got the Hoosier scoring started Saturday.
"I was just trying not to get hit," Ramsey said of the successful jukes he made to free himself. "That's probably what it came down to.
"On a zone-read, it's my job to make at least one guy miss. I had an opportunity to make a couple of guys miss, so that one felt good, for sure."
It doubtless also felt good to throw a pair of TD passes and to consistently gouge the Terps downfield through the air. Ramsey had averaged 9.2 yards per completion during IU's first nine games. He averaged 15.2 Saturday.
"I think it just shows that we're capable of doing that, capable of making plays down the field," Ramsey said, before specifically praising the receiving corps that joined the QB in earning Offensive Players of the Game citation from coaches:
"Donavan (Hale), Nick (Westbrook) and Ty (Fryfogle) did a really good job on the outside of going up and making plays. Luke (Timian) had one across the middle, too.
"So (it's a matter of) just continuing to take our shots when they're there. They'll give us some opportunities this weekend. So taking our shots, giving those guys opportunities to make plays, is going to be crucial for us."
Indiana has demonstrated more capacity for downfield plays over the past month. Ramsey feels that is a matter of what defenses have given, and of the Hoosiers building some confidence.
"I would say, ever since the Iowa game (Oct. 13), we've had opportunities to get one-on-matchups outside," Ramsey said. "A lot less zone coverage in the games since Iowa. I think confidence is a big thing in that, too.
"Once you start to hit a couple, you feel a little more confident throwing the ball down the field, and I'd say that's where my confidence level is at now."
Ramsey has also seen Reese Taylor – shifted to QB full-time after Michael Penix Jr.'s knee injury – sharing snaps in practice. That, along with a well-timed bye week, has Ramsey's arm and feet feeling fresh.
"Reese is getting a lot of reps in practice," IU offensive coordinator Mike DeBord said Monday. "We balance those out about 50/50 in practice, but give Peyton the throws he'd need to have to get ready for the game, too.
"Nick (Sheridan) does a great job of monitoring that. I've always trusted him and always will. So he takes care of that."
Asked if Saturday marked Ramsey's finest hour so far this fall, DeBord demurred a bit. "Well, I don't know," DeBord replied. "You go back early in the season and he's completing over 70 percent, there, for a long period of time. And just playing great.
"(But) I think when you saw him make that TD run, I think that was a result of what we did in the bye week. We rested him. He didn't take any snaps. He threw the ball a bit in individual (drills), but didn't take any snaps. And we didn't have him run and all that. And I think you saw – he's healthy, now.
"That kid gives you everything he has. I love him. He battles all the time. But now he's got his legs under him a little bit better. He had a great game Saturday."
INJURY UPDATES
Redshirt junior linebacker Reakwon Jones missed Saturday's game due to injury but might return this week. And Hoosier head coach Tom Allen feels his team is relatively healthy headed up to Michigan.
"Reakwon is really day-to-day," Allen said. "We're hoping to get him back for Saturday, and we'll know more later in the week. But he's working hard to get to that point."
Sophomore wideout Whop Philyor has had a surgical procedure done, but Allen isn't ruling him out for the season as of yet.
Senior defensive tackle Jacob Robinson continues to work back from a lower leg injury and saw some snaps Saturday. Redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Jerome Johnson and true freshman linebacker Micah McFadden both exited Saturday's game but both are expected back.
"We'll get (true freshman) James Miller some reps at linebacker in practice this week to see if we have to have him more ready than he was maybe a week ago," Allen said, "to be able to have the scheme knowledge. We did some specific things that would have been hard for a
guy to come in there (and) know what he was doing.
"He plays special teams, even got some reps on defense. That was his first time of really getting to play defense, and he got one rep in Minnesota on a kickoff cover and that was it. So very, very valuable experience."
SWEET 16
Madison Norris' participation Saturday made it 16 true freshmen who have seen the field for IU this fall, up from 12 a year ago. Additionally, 12 redshirt freshmen have debuted in 2018.
"Getting Madison (Norris) out there, running down, covering kicks, he was all fired up," Allen said of the 2018 state hurdles champ from Hamilton Southeastern. "He's going to be a really good player. He's already gained a bunch of weight since he's been here. He came in at 189 pounds … now he's up to about 216. That's a significant change for him."
The new NCAA four-game participation option while retaining redshirt status has made it possible for more freshmen to test the waters this year.
The true frosh who have played this fall are:
Matt Bjorson (TE), James Head Jr. (DE), Jamar Johnson (S), Cam Jones (H), Shamar Jones (DT), Miles Marshall (WR), Devon Matthews (S), Micah McFadden (LB), James Miller (LB), Madison Norris (DE), Kristian Pechac (RB), Michael Penix Jr. (QB), Stevie Scott (RB), Reese
Taylor (ATH), Ronnie Walker Jr. (RB) and Jaylin Williams (CB).
"Miles Marshall hasn't played (much), but I see him growing and developing every day (and also) Jacolby Hewitt – those are two young freshmen receivers that I have high expectations for," Allen said. "Just trying to get those guys involved, and they may get some opportunities on special teams here. (DE) Jonathan King is another guy that we just try to continue to work and bring along, and try to get in position to get out there if the opportunity warrants that.
"So, that's where this new rule helps. I'm excited. It's a (freshman) group that's already been extremely active this season. (Even) with the guys that you know about, there are several guys that haven't played at all that I think are quietly developing their bodies and doing the little things right and going to class, and learning how to be a Big Ten football player. They're going to be a huge part of our program in the future."
THAT OTHER CRIMSON TEAM
Michigan marks Indiana's second Top 5-ranked opponent this fall and its eighth since the start of the 2015 season. That is second-most, nationally.
The only team to have played more? Alabama, with nine.
That's life in the SEC West. And the Big Ten East.
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