Indiana University Athletics
Football Big Picture Has Indiana Seeking to Go Far
11/1/2019 12:00:00 PM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Haydon Whitehead sees the big picture from little-picture perspective.
The fifth-year senior has never punted so well, has never had so many opportunities, in the few plays he's out there each game, to find reward when doing so.
Indiana is winning its way into glory, six victories and counting, a better bowl resume building. Northwestern is next and if its 1-6 record suggests vulnerability, well, that big picture provides perspective.
"At this point," Whitehead says, "it's about how far can we go."
Saturday's night game is rich with opportunity. IU can win its way into the Big Ten East's upper echelon, huge when you consider the powerhouse competition from the likes of Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan.
It starts with beating Northwestern, and flush off a victory at Nebraska, the Hoosiers are ready to rock.
"That win gave us a lot of extra confidence," Whitehead says. "We knew in the preseason we could be a good team. Now that it's happening, that confidence goes to another level.
"We're looking forward to this game, and then we get a little break during the bye week, and then hopefully we finish strong."
IU is back in Memorial Stadium for the first time in three weeks. It's a November home night game, something that happens as often at Indiana as a Bigfoot sighting.
"The atmosphere is something we've created," Whitehead says, "but it's just another game. We're looking forward to getting win No. 7 and keep moving forward."
Whitehead and the Hoosier special teams are doing their parts.
Whitehead had three punts inside the 10-yard line at Nebraska, one via a Cornhusker fair catch, two by strong plays by cornerbacks Jaylin Williams and Raheem Layne.
Whitehead averages 42.7 yards per punt, more than two yards better than he's ever done before. He has had 11 punts inside the 10-yard line. Last year, it was five.
"We like to play our roles and do what we can to help the team," Whitehead says.
This is exactly what coach Tom Allen wants to hear. He's a former special teams coach who makes that part of the game a huge priority. He puts some of his best players on those units.
"Haydon continues to do a great job for us," Allen says. "Part of winning football is having specialists who can do those kind of things. It's little things like that, special teams, being able to execute."
Layne has been so good at special teams this season that Allen awarded him the L-E-O stick, which goes to a player who excels at special teams.
"It's always a big deal who's going to get it," Allen says. "Every time we have staff meetings, his name keeps getting brought up. He's always coming in extra watching film. He's always trying to find a way to help.
"He's bought into what we're trying to create, which is a true team mindset, and L-E-O (Love Each Other) is the foundation for that."
Another foundation is the consistently strong play of quarterback Peyton Ramsey. He's played some of his best ball -- 72.1 completion percentage, 1,194 yards, eight touchdowns, three interceptions -- despite his back-up status.
"Understanding football better has been so big for me," he says. "It's getting guys the ball who need to get the ball."
It's also using his sideline time wisely while starter Michael Penix plays.
"Watch the defenses and how they adjust during games. Not everything will be the way it was on film."
It's also, "Playing tough when I have my opportunities."
That includes leadership, which means ensuring the Hoosiers don't overlook Northwestern.
"With how well we're playing and the confidence we have, I don't think complacency will be an issue," Ramsey says. "As a leader, it's my job to make sure we continue to prepare."
A big part of the success of Ramsey and Penix is due to the coaching of first-year offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer. He has kept IU's offense clicking -- per-game averages of 34.0 points, 450.5 yards -- despite injuries at quarterback and the offensive line.
"It certainly has been a challenge," DeBoer says. "We're fortunate to have guys who care and who are going to be ready, so we keep moving forward.
"There have been a lot of unknowns. The hardest part is getting guys reps. There was one play (against Nebraska) where Peyton had maybe one rep at in practice.
"We're trying to give everyone the opportunity to be locked in. It comes down to execution. And we're building depth."
As far as Northwestern's defense, which ranks ninth in the Big Ten in points allowed (24.1), DeBoer says, "They are very solid. They are very physical up front. They tackle very well. We have to put drives together and stay out of third and long."
Still, DeBoer likes what he sees in the Hoosiers.
"We have a consistent mindset. We continue to fuel the fire and bring more energy. Our guys are feeling it right now."
Or, as defensive end Allen Stallings IV puts it, "Our focus is on getting the seventh win, and then the eighth and finishing on out."
Players Mentioned
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