Indiana University Athletics
DIPRIMIO COLUMN: Indiana Poised To Meet Expectations
9/22/2019 4:48:00 PM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – This is the Indiana team we expected.
The one that plays with a winner's edge.
Granted, Connecticut will never be confused with, say, Clemson, but that misses the point, which is the Hoosiers are, in almost every way, on the cusp of success.
They just have to prove it.
In other words, the imposter that showed up against Ohio State needs to find another program to torment.
Evidence for what the Hoosiers (3-1) can become was everywhere in Saturday's 38-3 demolition of Connecticut (1-2).
They ran as they haven't all season, totaling 178 rushing yards, 84 in the fourth quarter, a much-needed sign of strength and stamina. Running back Stevie Scott III just missed his first 100-yard game of the season with 97 yards in 21 carries.
They completed 24-of-28 passes for 252 yards. They were 8-of-10 on third down conversions, 5-for-5 on red-zone scoring chances and turned the Huskies offense into mush.
Connecticut ran for only 51 yards, passed for just 94, and was only 3-for-14 on third-down conversions.
"It was huge to show how we can bounce back, that we have it in our repertoire," receiver Nick Westbrook said. "We've got to keep moving forward and on to the next game."
That would be Saturday at Michigan State (3-1).
"We made it a point of emphasis in practice to be crisp and sharp, take what they give us," quarterback Peyton Ramsey said. "Be balanced as possible. I think we did a good job of that."
As far as who will run that balance …
Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is a potential game changer. But that means nothing if Penix can't stay healthy. Duplicating teammate Cam Jones' rigorous rehab from an ankle injury – spending as many as 10 hours a day in the training room earlier this month – is a big example on how to do it.
Yes, coach Tom Allen has mentioned that to Penix and all the Hoosiers.
"Whatever he's doing, he's going to attack it," Allen said of Jones. "That's how he was raised. That's the kind of young man we brought here."
Meanwhile Ramsey continues showcasing tough-minded play and record-setting accuracy. Against UConn he was 23-for-27 for 247 yards and three touchdowns. It was his fourth career three-touchdown passing game, giving him 34 overall. His 85.2 completion percentage was the third-best in school history. He now ranks first, third and fourth on that list.
Ramsey is doing this with the burden of knowing that he'll return to the sidelines when Penix is able to play.
That hasn't affected his approach.
"It's not tough at all," he said. "Go out and prepare. I'm getting similar amount of (practice) reps. It's not like one guy is getting a lot more reps than the other. We're watching the same amount of film.
"I do the same thing every week. It's the same routine. It's not as hard as you think."
Regardless of quarterback, IU can't get the three more victories needed for bowl eligibility without a productive running game. The UConn effort was a start, but more is needed, and if that means staying with it despite limited success, so be it.
"We keyed on getting two to three yards every play, and not worry about the explosive plays," Scott said. "Take the game slow and everything will come."
Everything came on Saturday even with veteran offensive lineman Coy Cronk missing most of it with an ankle injury that could jeopardize the rest of his season.
"The O-line came to play," Scott said. "After the previous few games, they were disappointed in the run game and took a serious attitude in practice and played with passion.
"It's time to build on this because now we get into Big Ten play."
IU cruised through its non-conference schedule, which is nothing new. It has won nine-straight regular season non-conference games, its longest streak since a 16-game run from 1909-15 when facing such opponents as DePauw, Lake Forest and Millikin.
Now it gets tough (see the Ohio State loss for how tough) with this reality:
All things are possible.
The schedule is full of potential wins, but not guaranteed ones. The Hoosiers have to play with intensity, passion, pride and purpose.
Still …
Every remaining opponent has vulnerabilities. There isn't a team left on the schedule IU can't beat, but it can't duplicate its response after the blow-out win over Eastern Illinois.
The Hoosiers have to be dialed in for 60 minutes for their final eight games, longer if necessary. They need a balanced offense that can deliver big plays and a stingy defense that won't allow any. They need the depth to overcome injuries because more are likely against bruising Big Ten competition. They need kicker Logan Justus to continue his remarkable season (6-for-6 on field goals, 14-for-14 on extra points) and special teams to be, well, special.
Allen pushes to return the program to the Bill Mallory glory days (6 bowls in 8 seasons) and the Hoosiers have never been so close.
"We've got to put all our energy into that one game each week," Allen said. "Focus on one team, one week, everything we can do to win that game."
By Saturday evening, we'll know if IU has learned its Ohio State lesson, tapped into its full potential and demonstrated this is a newer, tougher breed of Hoosier.
Then it will really be the team we expected.
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