Surprise -- Michael Ziemba Makes Most of Chance

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Michael Ziemba won't talk you into submission. Indiana's junior defensive end doesn't hit you with words, but he does hit you, and when he does, you feel it.

The Connecticut Huskies sure did.

It's taken the 6-3, 256-pound Ziemba three years to crack the starting lineup, and he has no intention of being a one-hit wonder.

But you won't hear that from him.

Take, for instance, making his first college start against Connecticut.

"It was fun," he says. "All the hard work pays off."

And then …

"We've got a ton of guys," he says. "Everyone can play."

Not everyone can do what Ziemba can do, which is burst from the defensive perimeter and wreak all kinds of havoc, tapping into the athleticism that once made him a two-way high school threat in talent-rich Florida.

Just ask defensive coordinator Kane Wommack.

"His athleticism is the first thing that strikes at you," Wommack says. "It jumps off the film. His explosiveness.

"His ability off the edge has helped the edge of our defense. We're doing some things to take advantage of his speed and tempo. We cut him loose a few times and let him go. We've seen the benefits of that."

Benefits come without video-game-like numbers. Against Connecticut, Ziemba had three tackles, including one for a 4-yard loss. For the season, it's 11 tackles and 4.5 for loss.

But that doesn't reflect his true value, Wommack adds.

"Where he has become a more complete player is keyed in to his run responsibility and transitioning into first- and second-down pass rush. It's letting him cut loose. When you have dynamic athletes at the defensive end position, you've got to take advantage of that matchup."

Ziemba has found that advantage courtesy of IU's strength staff, led by David Ballou and Dr. Matt Rhea.

"Coach Ballou has gotten me bigger," Ziemba says. "I've put on some weight. I'm faster. You can see that in everybody."

In many ways, Ziemba is the last guy you figured would crack the starting lineup. He played tight end and linebacker in high school, and missed nearly all of his senior year because of a broken foot.

He came to IU and landed at defensive end, a position he'd never played before. In his first two seasons he saw limited action at defensive end, defensive tackle and on special teams.

"He did not play the position in high school," head coach Tom Allen says, "so it was a learning curve to get that confidence level."

That Ziemba has found that confidence, Allen adds, reflects a high-moto approach.

"He's always played hard. He's a joy to put the film on and watch him fly around and chase down people and play with fanatical effort.

"We tell our team all the time, (effort) is the one variable you completely control. That's a choice he makes. Every time he takes the field, he's going to play that way."

That could be a huge factor Saturday when the Hoosiers (3-1) play at No. 25/RV Michigan State (3-1).

"He had to learn how to play and just taking on the big old tight end, and tackles at times and using your hands and defeating blocks and reading blocks on the run," Allen says. "It's taken some time to get him to that point. But he can be disruptive because of his speed and athleticism.

"He probably has surprised us. You've got to keep getting better, and he has."

Ziemba reflects the kind of player Wommack and Allen hope to put to disruptive use against Michigan State.

"We have some very dynamic athletes who allow us to take advantage of 1-on-1 matchups," Wommack says.

The Hoosiers took plenty of advantage against Connecticut as it did not against Ohio State the previous week, and while part of that was due to the talent difference between the Buckeyes and the Huskies, a big part was a better IU effort. The Hoosiers only missed six tackles and allowed just 20 yards after contact.

"It was the confidence we had," Ziemba says. "It was the work ethic leading up to the game. We wanted to dominate and show what kind of football we can play."

The result was a 38-3 victory.

Now comes the first of eight straight Big Ten games. The Hoosiers' approach is simple, Ziemba says.

"We'll take it one game at a time, get better, keep studying film. Keep knowing the opponent better."

A pause.

"We will."

IU will face a Michigan State offense spearheaded by quarterback Brian Lewerke, who completes 62.3 percent of his passes for 1,025 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. Receiver Darrell Stewart leads the Big Ten in catches (30) and yards (439). Tailback Elijah Collins has rushed for 357 yards and averages 5.9 yards a carry.

"We'll try to keep the heat and pressure on the quarterback," Wommack says. "He has confidence and good receivers he can go to.

"They make plays when it matters most."

That's a formula the Hoosiers hope to use as they face a true road game for the first time this season.

"The No. 1 thing is focus on us," Wommack says. "Can you lock in and focus on your responsibility for one play, and then do it again and again?"

Surprise -- Michael Ziemba Makes Most of Chance

Players Mentioned

Michael Ziemba

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