Indiana University Athletics
DIPRIMIO COLUMN – A ‘Higher Standard’ Has Hoosiers Seeking More
9/29/2018 7:40:00 PM | Football
By: Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Two wins from bowl eligibility.
You'd better believe that matters.
Four victories before October.
Keep that in mind.
Playing without four key players for the entire game, and missing defensive standout Marcelino Ball for the first half, all on the road, was a challenge Indiana (4-1) fully embraced.
And then won, 24-17 at Rutgers.
You want easy, grill marshmallows.
You want Big Ten victories, and the Hoosiers absolutely do, you do what's necessary to win and, on Saturday they did just that – it was their first win in a Big Ten road opener since 2007.
Yes, a dominating victory heading into next week's game at Ohio State would have been nice, but not crucial.
The Hoosiers and head coach Tom Allen have a week to work out the kinks.
Figure they will.
"We let (Rutgers) hang around," Allen said. "We made it interesting at the end. I want to see us play a full 60 minutes. That's where the growth has to come next."
Consider Ball, who was suspended for the first half because of the previous week's penalty for targeting in the Michigan State loss.
He was an offense crusher in the second half even if the numbers didn't reflect it -- one tackle for loss, one pass breakup.
After the game Allen compared Ball to a "caged tiger" while forced to stay in the locker room for the first half. In fact, Allen assigned a staff member to stay with him and make certain Ball didn't sneak out.
"I love that kid. He cares a lot."
Consider IU's depth faced a major test given it was without receivers Luke Timian and Whop Philyor, defensive tackle Jacob Robinson and Husky Cam Jones because of injuries.
The first result -- Rutgers threw just its second touchdown pass of the season on the game's opening drive.
After that, the Hoosiers defense turned nasty. Pressure increased. Scarlet Knight efficiency decreased.
Consider Peyton Ramsey, who again showed why he might be the Big Ten's most efficient quarterback.
On Saturday he did it by air and ground. He was 27-for-40 for 288 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 51 yards and a TD. He was the biggest reason why the Hoosiers were 11-for-18 on third-down conversions, 2-for-3 on fourth-down attempts.
Then there was his drawing Rutgers offsides on a crucial fourth-and-one, which set up a free play and a 25-yard completion in the closing minutes to seal the victory.
Consider Hoosier daring on that play. Allen was going for it.
"That was my call," he said. "We came to win. I didn't come here to fiddle around at the end. I believe in the offensive line."
Consider J-Shun Harris II, the superstar punt returner pressed into a bigger receiver role because of injuries. He had a team-leading seven catches for 57 yards and a touchdown, his first receiving score since his freshman year.
"It felt great to be able to contribute," he said. "When some guys go down, others have to rise up."
Consider a defense that held the Scarlet Knights to 291 total yards, only 91 on the ground. The unit continues its share-the-wealth approach, with no one totaling more than five tackles.
Consider, even, freshman impact from Jamar Johnson, whose interception earned him a game ball.
It wasn't flawless, of course.
A scoreless second half wasn't part of the game plan, although the 24-7 halftime cushion was enough.
Consecutive second-half fumbles by true freshman Stevie Scott made fellow freshman Ronnie Walker Jr. the crunch-time tailback of choice.
Walker was more than ready, delivering 35 yards on seven carries. It's exactly the kind of experience Walker will need, for this season, and beyond.
Scott did finish with a team-high 58 rushing yards.
He'll learn this. All the Hoosiers will.
To ensure that happens, linebacker Reakwon Jones addressed the team afterward.
"I didn't want anyone to feel complacent or content with that win. Every win is great, but I don't want them to think that is our standard. We left stuff out there. Our standard is a lot higher."
Come Saturday at Ohio State, the Hoosiers will have the chance to prove it.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Two wins from bowl eligibility.
You'd better believe that matters.
Four victories before October.
Keep that in mind.
Playing without four key players for the entire game, and missing defensive standout Marcelino Ball for the first half, all on the road, was a challenge Indiana (4-1) fully embraced.
And then won, 24-17 at Rutgers.
You want easy, grill marshmallows.
You want Big Ten victories, and the Hoosiers absolutely do, you do what's necessary to win and, on Saturday they did just that – it was their first win in a Big Ten road opener since 2007.
Yes, a dominating victory heading into next week's game at Ohio State would have been nice, but not crucial.
The Hoosiers and head coach Tom Allen have a week to work out the kinks.
Figure they will.
"We let (Rutgers) hang around," Allen said. "We made it interesting at the end. I want to see us play a full 60 minutes. That's where the growth has to come next."
Consider Ball, who was suspended for the first half because of the previous week's penalty for targeting in the Michigan State loss.
He was an offense crusher in the second half even if the numbers didn't reflect it -- one tackle for loss, one pass breakup.
After the game Allen compared Ball to a "caged tiger" while forced to stay in the locker room for the first half. In fact, Allen assigned a staff member to stay with him and make certain Ball didn't sneak out.
"I love that kid. He cares a lot."
Consider IU's depth faced a major test given it was without receivers Luke Timian and Whop Philyor, defensive tackle Jacob Robinson and Husky Cam Jones because of injuries.
The first result -- Rutgers threw just its second touchdown pass of the season on the game's opening drive.
After that, the Hoosiers defense turned nasty. Pressure increased. Scarlet Knight efficiency decreased.
Consider Peyton Ramsey, who again showed why he might be the Big Ten's most efficient quarterback.
On Saturday he did it by air and ground. He was 27-for-40 for 288 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 51 yards and a TD. He was the biggest reason why the Hoosiers were 11-for-18 on third-down conversions, 2-for-3 on fourth-down attempts.
Then there was his drawing Rutgers offsides on a crucial fourth-and-one, which set up a free play and a 25-yard completion in the closing minutes to seal the victory.
Consider Hoosier daring on that play. Allen was going for it.
"That was my call," he said. "We came to win. I didn't come here to fiddle around at the end. I believe in the offensive line."
Consider J-Shun Harris II, the superstar punt returner pressed into a bigger receiver role because of injuries. He had a team-leading seven catches for 57 yards and a touchdown, his first receiving score since his freshman year.
"It felt great to be able to contribute," he said. "When some guys go down, others have to rise up."
Consider a defense that held the Scarlet Knights to 291 total yards, only 91 on the ground. The unit continues its share-the-wealth approach, with no one totaling more than five tackles.
Consider, even, freshman impact from Jamar Johnson, whose interception earned him a game ball.
It wasn't flawless, of course.
A scoreless second half wasn't part of the game plan, although the 24-7 halftime cushion was enough.
Consecutive second-half fumbles by true freshman Stevie Scott made fellow freshman Ronnie Walker Jr. the crunch-time tailback of choice.
Walker was more than ready, delivering 35 yards on seven carries. It's exactly the kind of experience Walker will need, for this season, and beyond.
Scott did finish with a team-high 58 rushing yards.
He'll learn this. All the Hoosiers will.
To ensure that happens, linebacker Reakwon Jones addressed the team afterward.
"I didn't want anyone to feel complacent or content with that win. Every win is great, but I don't want them to think that is our standard. We left stuff out there. Our standard is a lot higher."
Come Saturday at Ohio State, the Hoosiers will have the chance to prove it.
Players Mentioned
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