One Sure Way to Make the Birthday Boy Happy
11/19/2018 10:05:00 PM | Football
By: Andy Graham
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - J-Shun Harris II knows what he wants for his birthday.
A certain Bucket. And all that comes with it.
Indiana fifth-year senior receiver/return specialist Harris will turn 23 Saturday when the Hoosiers host arch-rival Purdue for the annual Old Oaken Bucket clash, a noon kickoff.
Not just the Bucket is at stake this time. Both teams enter 5-6, one win shy of bowl eligibility.
"There's a lot riding on this, for sure," Harris said as IU players and coaches met with the media Monday. "I'm excited, very excited for the opportunity that we have. With the stakes as high as they are right now, it's going to be a beautiful Saturday.
"I just want the young guys to understand that this game is bigger than just football. It's the alumni – who has the upper edge on the other ones for the entire year? It goes way beyond sports itself. So if they can understand that, they can understand how big and important this game is. With both teams being 5-6, that makes the stakes even higher, similar to last year's situation."
Last year's situation didn't pan out well for the Hoosiers. They sustained a 31-24 setback that kept them home for the holidays, missing a bowl bid for the first time in three years, while Purdue went to its first bowl in four years.
And Harris couldn't help prevent that. Knee injuries have kept him out of Bucket play since 2014.
"(That was) tough, because I felt like I could've helped in some way, shape or form," said Harris, a Fishers product. "Before I got to college, I didn't understand the great history behind this great rivalry.
"It's one of the biggest rivalries in the country … one of those games where it has a similar feel of playing in the Big House (Michigan Stadium) or playing at Ohio State. It's that type of magnitude game … I've been lucky enough to be part of multiple Bucket wins. Right now, we have a lot we're fighting for. We need to go get that Bucket back."
When the Bucket resides in Bloomington, it is in the IU football locker room enclosed by a glass-sided case, and with a revolving platform for optimal display.
"We have this showcase in our locker room … when we have the Bucket, it's just sitting there, spinning," Harris said. "Since we haven't had it, they took it out.
"That stings, walking in and not seeing it spinning around. You can just tell the vibe of everything, not having the (IU victory) flag flying for an entire offseason. Just little things like that. It's like, 'What could I have done to help out?' Sadly, I was injured at the time, but attacking rehab and doing those things – and thankfully I've been healthy so far (this season) – so now I feel like I actually have a chance to do something about it."
Harris is one of 20 semifinalists for The Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award but, if Saturday brings the desired result, he will have a different piece of hardware on his mind.
Because he remembers watching the Boilermakers streak over to the IU sidelines last Nov. 25 to claim the Bucket for the first time in five years.
"Last year, they ran to our sideline and took it from our sideline," Harris said. "That alone was just like your heart dropped. We had all offseason, we had to do all these things to build up right back to this game.
"Coach (Tom) Allen did a great job of making sure everyone was locked in, like 'What are we doing to beat Purdue.' That's been his motto ever since we lost it last year. Now, the opportunity has presented itself and we have to take advantage of it."
If they do, Harris hopes to be the first Hoosier to reach the Purdue sideline, and the Bucket.
"Look for me, because I'm going to take off," he said smiling. "I'm going to take off sprinting."
Given that Harris is one of the very fastest Hoosiers, his chances of getting their first aren't bad.
The Old Oaken Bucket is carried in a special container during Bucket day.
The birthday boy should get to open the present.
THE PURDUE OF ALABAMA
Indiana senior safety and tackling leader Jonathan Crawford grew up in Largo, Fla., as an Alabama football fan.
"I liked Alabama because of when they beat (Tim) Tebow that one year," he said. "That's when I started liking them. I don't know why, but I didn't like the Florida Gators.
"I think it's my dad. I think he put it in my head. It was Alabama. I don't know why, just the culture of it."
A huge cultural event every autumn in Alabama is The Iron Bowl, pitting the two state rivals against each other at the close of regular-season play.
One team, wearing crimson, representing what is perceived as the state school focused on liberal arts. The other team representing the state's agricultural and engineering school.
Sound familiar?
Is Auburn then, at least in part, the Purdue of Alabama?
"Yeah!' exclaimed Crawford when hearing that comparison made Monday, and just for emphatic agreement, adding another, "Yeah!"
Crawford was watching in 2013 when 'Bama lined up with 0:01 left in regulation and the score tied, 28-28, to attempt a 57-yard field goal. The boot made the end zone, but not through the uprights, and Auburn's
Chris Davis stunned everybody by returning it 108 yards for the winning TD.
"That one year when they ran the field goal back," Crawford said, "I just walked out the door."
Crawford wasn't real thrilled with last year's Old Oaken Bucket result in West Lafayette, either.
"It gives you motivation," he said of last year's loss. "Especially the way we lost last year, we didn't like it at all. (This year we want to be) really just going out hard. We want them to feel us, play physical, and make sure we leave our mark."
Crawford said he really started getting a true sense of the IU-Purdue rivalry once he was in Indiana for a year.
"It was probably sophomore year, when it was a little more smack talking going on," Crawford acknowledging the nature of what was IU's fourth consecutive win in the series. "Then, last year when we actually lost it, that hurt.
"You don't really get the backlash until you lose it, from social media and stuff like that … when it really hit me was probably when we lost it last year."
Crawford was one of several Hoosiers who noted Monday they miss seeing the Bucket in the IU locker room.
"When I was here the first two years, it was always in there," Crawford said. "Now just walking by and seeing it's not there, it might not seem big, but it's a big deal."
Crawford relishes playing in a rivalry game akin to the one he grew up watching.
"Especially watching a big game like that, being young," he said, "just knowing how serious they take it, and all the trash-talking and stuff like that. Everything that goes behind it, with the fans and alumni, it all comes together in one big atmosphere."
The foe will wear gold and black Saturday, not navy and orange.
But if somebody wants to get Crawford even more fired up, they might just need to come up to him and say: "War Eagle!"
CRIMSON CONVERTS
Jacob Robinson hails from Westfield, Ind. Hamilton County. North of Indianapolis. Heavily suburban, now, but historically agrarian – and perhaps still primarily Purdue country.
Robinson can personally relate.
"I do have some family ties on both sides," Robinson said. "My dad and my brother both went to Purdue. My mom went to IU. Obviously, I've converted my dad and my brother now.
"For me, being an in-state guy and growing up watching it and having family ties to both schools, it's extra-special and something I look forward to every year."
And Robinson is pleased, after missing most of his senior season to injury, he'll get to line up with his teammates for one last Bucket Game.
"I take it to heart," he said.
Coach Allen took Robinson to heart long ago.
"You need guys like that to be able to allow you to prepare at the right level to play in this kind of a game," Allen said of his senior co-captain. He's an in-state young man (and) this game means the world to him.
"He had a chance to win his first two years here and then lose it last year, and being a young man that played at Westfield High School, (he) just cares about our university. It's his home state and, oh yeah, there's a lot of pride … he's one of our guys, and having him out there on the field and not just being a cheerleader, (is) huge."
Robinson's undisclosed leg injury sidelined him from the start of Big Ten play till the past couple of weeks, when he began to work back into the defensive tackle rotation. He didn't want to take a redshirt year. He wants this to be his final Big Ten ballgame.
"He wanted to fight to come back," Allen said. "He's worked extremely hard to come back, and he's invested a lot in this program. And he's one of our leaders … one of the guys that I rely on to talk to and get a pulse of our team. His 'care factor' is really, really high. He's an awesome young man. He's going to be very, very successful in his life."
And later in life, there might still be some interesting discussions around the Robinson family table at Thanksgiving.
The family is wearing crimson to the game … for now.
"My dad's in my jersey (at games)," Robinson said. "My older brother has been a little bit more trouble, especially after their win (last year and) a couple wins they've had this year. He and I will text back and forth.
"But he's going to support me, being here and for my Senior Day, as well. I don't think it'll be an issue. But maybe years after we can see what he'll be wearing."
STUDIOUS STEVIE
It isn't just physical ability that has enabled Stevie Scott to set an Indiana school single-season rushing record for true freshmen with 1,033 yards after gaining 139 on 30 carries Saturday against No. 4 Michigan, the nation's top defense.
Or that helped Scott now match Hall of Famer Anthony Thompson's school record of five 100-yard games as a true freshman.
IU offensive coordinator Mike DeBord started seeing special things from Scott, off the field, before the season began.
"I know I've talked about this before, but I'll never forget that in training camp, one of the players asked him if he wanted to play Fortnight one night," DeBord recalled, "and he said, 'No, I've got a playbook that's about THAT thick.' "
DeBord gestured with hands far apart.
"Stevie was just making a point of, 'Hey, I've got to study my football,' " DeBord continued. "And it's true. I talk about this all the time. Freshmen, coming in, it's new terminology. It's like going into Spanish class for the first day. You're taken aback by what you're hearing. 'What does that mean?'
"So, he had to go through that whole process of learning the offense, learning the terminology and all that stuff, and then also, too, it showed how strong a competitor he really is. A lot of freshmen, all of a sudden, all that terminology, they are, 'Hey, I'm good.' They don't continue to press on. He pressed on, and put himself in position where he was ready to play.
"And he just continues, I think, to get better as we continue through the season. I think he understands our plays more, understands them better, what we want to do with them. Certain cuts in the run game.
Understanding the protections better, he's doing a better job with that. You know, it's an on-going process that he, I think, has embraced."
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Augmenting Scott's rushing totals at Michigan was redshirt sophomore quarterback Peyton Ramsey, who gained 51 yards on seven carries. Ramsey also threw for 195 yards and helmed an offense that amassed 385 yards total offense – 66 more than Michigan had allowed any other foe all season.
So Ramsey was named IU's Offensive Player of the Game.
"Just played with a ton of grit and fight, and getting first downs and extending plays and making some good throws," Allen said of Ramsey, "and just battling and competing, leading our team."
IU's coaches split the Defensive Player of the Game award amongst defensive end Gavin Everett and starting cornerbacks Raheem Lane and Andre Brown Jr.
"I thought that the two corners, Raheem and Andre, had a big challenge guarding some very, very talented receivers with great length and speed," Allen said. "(They) did some good things with them and really attacked the ball.
"And Gavin had his best game of the season, production-wise. Just been so solid, a guy that's so dependable and steady. Plays hard and really plays bigger than he is, physically. Really proud of him and all that he brings to our program."
Logan Justus, who kicked a pair of field goals and is now 15-of-17 on the season, was named Special Teams Player of the Week along with senior veteran Mike Majette.
Scout Team citations went to freshman linebacker Aaron Casey (defense), freshman tackle Aidan Rafferty and sophomore running back Connor Thomas (offense), and walk-on multi-position player Ryan Barnes (special teams).
GOING BOWLING
Indiana obviously wants to "go bowling" after Saturday's OId Oaken Bucket game, and the only way to do that is to beat Purdue, since only the winner will attain bowl eligibility.
But, in actual fact, the Hoosiers went bowling Monday evening.
They traditionally spend the Monday night of Thanksgiving week, with no classes scheduled, on a team outing to the Indiana Memorial Union. They eat dinner together, then adjourn to the Commons and environs to partake of the bowling alley, pool tables and other recreational options.
Ramsey averaged a combined 13.7 yards per completion in the win over Maryland and the 31-20 loss Saturday at No. 4 Michigan, with his arm clearly lively after the bye week that preceded the Maryland game.
Ramsey had averaged 9.2 yards per completion in the previous nine games. He and others have noted that the bye week rest seemed to refresh his whole physique, arm included.
So was he going to go bowling with that refreshed right arm Monday night?
"Absolutely not!" he exclaimed with some mock-asperity when asked. "I might sit it out tonight. Maybe play some pool."
Sending balls right into the desired pockets, either way.
Quarterbacks don't mind honing that sort of skill.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - J-Shun Harris II knows what he wants for his birthday.
A certain Bucket. And all that comes with it.
Indiana fifth-year senior receiver/return specialist Harris will turn 23 Saturday when the Hoosiers host arch-rival Purdue for the annual Old Oaken Bucket clash, a noon kickoff.
Not just the Bucket is at stake this time. Both teams enter 5-6, one win shy of bowl eligibility.
"There's a lot riding on this, for sure," Harris said as IU players and coaches met with the media Monday. "I'm excited, very excited for the opportunity that we have. With the stakes as high as they are right now, it's going to be a beautiful Saturday.
"I just want the young guys to understand that this game is bigger than just football. It's the alumni – who has the upper edge on the other ones for the entire year? It goes way beyond sports itself. So if they can understand that, they can understand how big and important this game is. With both teams being 5-6, that makes the stakes even higher, similar to last year's situation."
Last year's situation didn't pan out well for the Hoosiers. They sustained a 31-24 setback that kept them home for the holidays, missing a bowl bid for the first time in three years, while Purdue went to its first bowl in four years.
And Harris couldn't help prevent that. Knee injuries have kept him out of Bucket play since 2014.
"(That was) tough, because I felt like I could've helped in some way, shape or form," said Harris, a Fishers product. "Before I got to college, I didn't understand the great history behind this great rivalry.
"It's one of the biggest rivalries in the country … one of those games where it has a similar feel of playing in the Big House (Michigan Stadium) or playing at Ohio State. It's that type of magnitude game … I've been lucky enough to be part of multiple Bucket wins. Right now, we have a lot we're fighting for. We need to go get that Bucket back."
When the Bucket resides in Bloomington, it is in the IU football locker room enclosed by a glass-sided case, and with a revolving platform for optimal display.
"We have this showcase in our locker room … when we have the Bucket, it's just sitting there, spinning," Harris said. "Since we haven't had it, they took it out.
"That stings, walking in and not seeing it spinning around. You can just tell the vibe of everything, not having the (IU victory) flag flying for an entire offseason. Just little things like that. It's like, 'What could I have done to help out?' Sadly, I was injured at the time, but attacking rehab and doing those things – and thankfully I've been healthy so far (this season) – so now I feel like I actually have a chance to do something about it."
Harris is one of 20 semifinalists for The Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award but, if Saturday brings the desired result, he will have a different piece of hardware on his mind.
Because he remembers watching the Boilermakers streak over to the IU sidelines last Nov. 25 to claim the Bucket for the first time in five years.
"Last year, they ran to our sideline and took it from our sideline," Harris said. "That alone was just like your heart dropped. We had all offseason, we had to do all these things to build up right back to this game.
"Coach (Tom) Allen did a great job of making sure everyone was locked in, like 'What are we doing to beat Purdue.' That's been his motto ever since we lost it last year. Now, the opportunity has presented itself and we have to take advantage of it."
If they do, Harris hopes to be the first Hoosier to reach the Purdue sideline, and the Bucket.
"Look for me, because I'm going to take off," he said smiling. "I'm going to take off sprinting."
Given that Harris is one of the very fastest Hoosiers, his chances of getting their first aren't bad.
The Old Oaken Bucket is carried in a special container during Bucket day.
The birthday boy should get to open the present.
THE PURDUE OF ALABAMA
Indiana senior safety and tackling leader Jonathan Crawford grew up in Largo, Fla., as an Alabama football fan.
"I liked Alabama because of when they beat (Tim) Tebow that one year," he said. "That's when I started liking them. I don't know why, but I didn't like the Florida Gators.
"I think it's my dad. I think he put it in my head. It was Alabama. I don't know why, just the culture of it."
A huge cultural event every autumn in Alabama is The Iron Bowl, pitting the two state rivals against each other at the close of regular-season play.
One team, wearing crimson, representing what is perceived as the state school focused on liberal arts. The other team representing the state's agricultural and engineering school.
Sound familiar?
Is Auburn then, at least in part, the Purdue of Alabama?
"Yeah!' exclaimed Crawford when hearing that comparison made Monday, and just for emphatic agreement, adding another, "Yeah!"
Crawford was watching in 2013 when 'Bama lined up with 0:01 left in regulation and the score tied, 28-28, to attempt a 57-yard field goal. The boot made the end zone, but not through the uprights, and Auburn's
Chris Davis stunned everybody by returning it 108 yards for the winning TD.
"That one year when they ran the field goal back," Crawford said, "I just walked out the door."
Crawford wasn't real thrilled with last year's Old Oaken Bucket result in West Lafayette, either.
"It gives you motivation," he said of last year's loss. "Especially the way we lost last year, we didn't like it at all. (This year we want to be) really just going out hard. We want them to feel us, play physical, and make sure we leave our mark."
Crawford said he really started getting a true sense of the IU-Purdue rivalry once he was in Indiana for a year.
"It was probably sophomore year, when it was a little more smack talking going on," Crawford acknowledging the nature of what was IU's fourth consecutive win in the series. "Then, last year when we actually lost it, that hurt.
"You don't really get the backlash until you lose it, from social media and stuff like that … when it really hit me was probably when we lost it last year."
Crawford was one of several Hoosiers who noted Monday they miss seeing the Bucket in the IU locker room.
"When I was here the first two years, it was always in there," Crawford said. "Now just walking by and seeing it's not there, it might not seem big, but it's a big deal."
Crawford relishes playing in a rivalry game akin to the one he grew up watching.
"Especially watching a big game like that, being young," he said, "just knowing how serious they take it, and all the trash-talking and stuff like that. Everything that goes behind it, with the fans and alumni, it all comes together in one big atmosphere."
The foe will wear gold and black Saturday, not navy and orange.
But if somebody wants to get Crawford even more fired up, they might just need to come up to him and say: "War Eagle!"
CRIMSON CONVERTS
Jacob Robinson hails from Westfield, Ind. Hamilton County. North of Indianapolis. Heavily suburban, now, but historically agrarian – and perhaps still primarily Purdue country.
Robinson can personally relate.
"I do have some family ties on both sides," Robinson said. "My dad and my brother both went to Purdue. My mom went to IU. Obviously, I've converted my dad and my brother now.
"For me, being an in-state guy and growing up watching it and having family ties to both schools, it's extra-special and something I look forward to every year."
And Robinson is pleased, after missing most of his senior season to injury, he'll get to line up with his teammates for one last Bucket Game.
"I take it to heart," he said.
Coach Allen took Robinson to heart long ago.
"You need guys like that to be able to allow you to prepare at the right level to play in this kind of a game," Allen said of his senior co-captain. He's an in-state young man (and) this game means the world to him.
"He had a chance to win his first two years here and then lose it last year, and being a young man that played at Westfield High School, (he) just cares about our university. It's his home state and, oh yeah, there's a lot of pride … he's one of our guys, and having him out there on the field and not just being a cheerleader, (is) huge."
Robinson's undisclosed leg injury sidelined him from the start of Big Ten play till the past couple of weeks, when he began to work back into the defensive tackle rotation. He didn't want to take a redshirt year. He wants this to be his final Big Ten ballgame.
"He wanted to fight to come back," Allen said. "He's worked extremely hard to come back, and he's invested a lot in this program. And he's one of our leaders … one of the guys that I rely on to talk to and get a pulse of our team. His 'care factor' is really, really high. He's an awesome young man. He's going to be very, very successful in his life."
And later in life, there might still be some interesting discussions around the Robinson family table at Thanksgiving.
The family is wearing crimson to the game … for now.
"My dad's in my jersey (at games)," Robinson said. "My older brother has been a little bit more trouble, especially after their win (last year and) a couple wins they've had this year. He and I will text back and forth.
"But he's going to support me, being here and for my Senior Day, as well. I don't think it'll be an issue. But maybe years after we can see what he'll be wearing."
STUDIOUS STEVIE
It isn't just physical ability that has enabled Stevie Scott to set an Indiana school single-season rushing record for true freshmen with 1,033 yards after gaining 139 on 30 carries Saturday against No. 4 Michigan, the nation's top defense.
Or that helped Scott now match Hall of Famer Anthony Thompson's school record of five 100-yard games as a true freshman.
IU offensive coordinator Mike DeBord started seeing special things from Scott, off the field, before the season began.
"I know I've talked about this before, but I'll never forget that in training camp, one of the players asked him if he wanted to play Fortnight one night," DeBord recalled, "and he said, 'No, I've got a playbook that's about THAT thick.' "
DeBord gestured with hands far apart.
"Stevie was just making a point of, 'Hey, I've got to study my football,' " DeBord continued. "And it's true. I talk about this all the time. Freshmen, coming in, it's new terminology. It's like going into Spanish class for the first day. You're taken aback by what you're hearing. 'What does that mean?'
"So, he had to go through that whole process of learning the offense, learning the terminology and all that stuff, and then also, too, it showed how strong a competitor he really is. A lot of freshmen, all of a sudden, all that terminology, they are, 'Hey, I'm good.' They don't continue to press on. He pressed on, and put himself in position where he was ready to play.
"And he just continues, I think, to get better as we continue through the season. I think he understands our plays more, understands them better, what we want to do with them. Certain cuts in the run game.
Understanding the protections better, he's doing a better job with that. You know, it's an on-going process that he, I think, has embraced."
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Augmenting Scott's rushing totals at Michigan was redshirt sophomore quarterback Peyton Ramsey, who gained 51 yards on seven carries. Ramsey also threw for 195 yards and helmed an offense that amassed 385 yards total offense – 66 more than Michigan had allowed any other foe all season.
So Ramsey was named IU's Offensive Player of the Game.
"Just played with a ton of grit and fight, and getting first downs and extending plays and making some good throws," Allen said of Ramsey, "and just battling and competing, leading our team."
IU's coaches split the Defensive Player of the Game award amongst defensive end Gavin Everett and starting cornerbacks Raheem Lane and Andre Brown Jr.
"I thought that the two corners, Raheem and Andre, had a big challenge guarding some very, very talented receivers with great length and speed," Allen said. "(They) did some good things with them and really attacked the ball.
"And Gavin had his best game of the season, production-wise. Just been so solid, a guy that's so dependable and steady. Plays hard and really plays bigger than he is, physically. Really proud of him and all that he brings to our program."
Logan Justus, who kicked a pair of field goals and is now 15-of-17 on the season, was named Special Teams Player of the Week along with senior veteran Mike Majette.
Scout Team citations went to freshman linebacker Aaron Casey (defense), freshman tackle Aidan Rafferty and sophomore running back Connor Thomas (offense), and walk-on multi-position player Ryan Barnes (special teams).
GOING BOWLING
Indiana obviously wants to "go bowling" after Saturday's OId Oaken Bucket game, and the only way to do that is to beat Purdue, since only the winner will attain bowl eligibility.
But, in actual fact, the Hoosiers went bowling Monday evening.
They traditionally spend the Monday night of Thanksgiving week, with no classes scheduled, on a team outing to the Indiana Memorial Union. They eat dinner together, then adjourn to the Commons and environs to partake of the bowling alley, pool tables and other recreational options.
Ramsey averaged a combined 13.7 yards per completion in the win over Maryland and the 31-20 loss Saturday at No. 4 Michigan, with his arm clearly lively after the bye week that preceded the Maryland game.
Ramsey had averaged 9.2 yards per completion in the previous nine games. He and others have noted that the bye week rest seemed to refresh his whole physique, arm included.
So was he going to go bowling with that refreshed right arm Monday night?
"Absolutely not!" he exclaimed with some mock-asperity when asked. "I might sit it out tonight. Maybe play some pool."
Sending balls right into the desired pockets, either way.
Quarterbacks don't mind honing that sort of skill.
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