Watch Out -- Whop Philyor is ‘Feeling Good’

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Whop Philyor is feeling good.

This is very bad news for Rutgers, and anybody else who plays Indiana this season.

Philyor has emerged as the Hoosier receiver most likely to shatter opposing defensive plans.

The biggest example came when the junior burned No. 25 Michigan State for 14 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns.

This wasn't a one-time thing. Philyor averages 6.2 catches a game, which ranks fourth in the Big Ten and ties for 23rd nationally. His 74.2 receiving yards a contest rank fifth in the conference.

Now that he's had a bye week to rest, watch out.

"I used it as a rehabilitation thing," he says. "I went to rehab every day. I got some extra treatment. It made my legs and body feel better. I'm 100 percent. I'm feeling good now."

Could Rutgers (1-4) pay the Bicentennial Homecoming price Saturday at Memorial Stadium?

We're about to find out.

"I'm really excited with what Whop does with the ball," offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer says.

For good reason. No other IU receiver has ever had two games with at least 10 catches.

Philyor has three.

But for head coach Tom Allen, Philyor's biggest contribution was reflected after the painful Michigan State loss.

"Whop played to a certain level," Allen says, "but he was crushed at the end of the game. He had a great game and had stats and all that, but he was so emotional afterwards because he wants to win, his team wants to win."

At 5-11 and 178 pounds, Philyor won't overwhelm with size, but he will rock you with toughness and speed. His refusal to be easily tackled, and his big-play punt return potential (he's returned 9 punts for 41 yards, and had a 50-yard effort against Michigan State wiped out by a penalty), makes him a force every second he's on the field.

Offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer wouldn't want it any other way.

"Any way he can help the team by getting his hands on the ball, I'm all for it," DeBoer says. "If he can put points on the board on a punt return, or any type of a return, I'm all for that.

"Any way Whop can help us. I know he wants to do it. He enjoys it. Let him fly. Let him have the ball."

Philyor was recruited for this. He was a do-it-all high school superstar, playing receiver, running back and defensive back for Tampa's Plant High School in Florida.

As a senior in 2016, he caught 91 passes for 1,329 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also ran for 201 yards and two TDs, plus recorded 38 tackles, 18 pass breakups, two interceptions and one forced fumble as Plant advanced to Florida's 7A state title game.

Philyor was an instant-impact IU freshman, totaling 33 catches for 335 yards and three touchdowns to rate among the Big Ten's top freshman receivers.

That included a 13-catch, 127-yard effort against Maryland. The catches set an IU freshman record and earned him Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors.

Last year, injuries limited him to 23 catches for 235 yards and a TD. However, he burned Michigan State for 13 catches and 148 yards.

A healthy Philyor is having a season to remember, surpassing veteran receiver standouts Donavan Hale and Nick Westbrook. He leads IU in catches (31) and receiving yards (371), and is tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (3).

Tight end Peyton Hendershot is next with 20 catches for 242 yards and three TDs.

Philyor says he has benefited from the emergence of quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

"Me and Mike have always had a good relationship. As we've played together, it's grown. We hang out more. We go over film. We're brothers now."

Philyor has helped IU rank third in the Big Ten in passing (304 yards a game) and in third-down conversions (48.5 percent).

"The offense is doing great," Philyor says, "and it's going to get better."

The Hoosiers (3-2) are looking forward to returning home for the first time since Sept. 21, to take on the Scarlet Knights.

"They're a good team," Philyor says. "They're going through some problems, but they work hard just like us. They have something to prove just like we do. We're going to give them our best shot."

That best is highlighted by an offense that put up 31 points against defensive-minded Michigan State.

"We have a lot of playmakers," DeBoer says, "and if you give them a chance, they'll bust big plays."

The Hoosiers seem primed to grow from the Michigan State defeat, in part because they are determined not to let it define them.

"Las Monday was the most locked in I've ever seen them, and that came after a loss," DeBoer says. "They're becoming more confident in who we are. They know if they're focused and locked in, they can play at a high level.

"They're riding the confidence. It's been happening since the (season-opening win over Ball State) as far as efficiency.

"We never feel we've arrived. We'll keep moving forward."

More and more, Philyor figures to lead the way.

Indiana University Athletics

Watch Out -- Whop Philyor is ‘Feeling Good’

Players Mentioned

Donavan Hale

Peyton Hendershot

Michael Penix Jr.

Whop Philyor

Nick Westbrook

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