DiPrimio Column: IU Victory Rich in Promise

By: Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana is unbeaten and rolling, and if it's only one game, well, let others find fault.

The Hoosiers' season-opener to remember – Saturday's 38-28 victory at Florida International -- was rich with promise.

They went on the road to beat a team that won eight games last season. They played with toughness and poise and consistency. They displayed offensive balance and -- at times -- big-play defense.

Highlights were everywhere you looked and it started – as it so often does in football – at quarterback.

Redshirt sophomore Peyton Ramsey showed why he won the starting job with a ruthlessly efficient performance. He was 20-for-27 for 156 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran eight times for 36 yards.

Yes, he threw a first quarter interception, and then did what all good quarterbacks do after making a mistake -- he bounced back big time. On IU's next possession, he threw a touchdown pass to receiver Donavan Hale.

In fact, Ramsey went on a tear of nine straight completions, showing the consistency you'd expect from a coach's son.

Then there was ultra-promising true freshman quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who played two crucial second-half series, led the Hoosiers to 10 points and put game-time substance to his impressive spring, summer and August camp performances.

For the record, thanks to new NCAA rules, freshmen can play four games and still redshirt.

Not that a redshirt is in the strong-armed Penix's future.

Penix made the most of his college-debut opportunity by going 8-for-10 for 96 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

On his first series, he directed an eight-play, 72-yard touchdown drive, capped by a 9-yard scoring toss to running back Mike Majette.

On the next series, he led the Hoosiers to a field goal, showing plenty of poise, especially on a key third-down pass to Luke Timian for a very big first down.

Meanwhile …

Make no mistake – coach Tom Allen REALLY wants red zone touchdowns over field goals this season.

Case in point -- his gamble on fourth-and-goal at the Florida International 2-yard line late in the second quarter.

The result -- Ramsey hit Hale for a touchdown for the second time and a 28-14 lead.

Hale, a redshirt junior, had four catches for 60 yards and those two TDs, a good start for a guy who had seven catches for 116 yards and a touchdown last season.

Meanwhile …

You'd better believe true freshman Reese Taylor is a difference-maker, and wait till he gets a year-plus in IU's David Ballou-directed strength program.

As it is, last year's Indiana Mr. Football out of Indianapolis's Ben Davis ran three times for 40 yards, and caught two passes for 12 more yards. He's also IU's third-string quarterback.

Oh, he also played some cornerback, special teams and recorded two tackles.

Meanwhile …

For those who love offensive balance, IU provided plenty with 252 passing yards and 213 via the run. Much of the credit goes to the offensive line, a looming strength this year.

Finally, senior safety Jonathan Crawford returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown, forced a fumble and recorded three tackles. He now has nine career interceptions.

He was a big reason why the Hoosiers totaled three takeaways, huge for a defense that managed just 13 last season.

Yes, the rebuilt defense showed some vulnerability, which is what you'd expect from a unit that lost seven starters.

It will get better. Allen-coached defenses always do.

The bottom line -- the Hoosiers thrived under must-win pressure against a solid opponent, and took a big first step in Allen's second year.

You'd better believe that matters.

Indiana University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Jonathan Crawford

Donavan Hale

Mike Majette

Michael Penix Jr.

Peyton Ramsey

Reese Taylor

Luke Timian

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