Indiana University Athletics
Michael Penix Jr. Sees Potential in Hoosiers
10/1/2020 6:30:00 PM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Michael Penix Jr. isn't an Indiana Hoosier to concede.
You know that, right?
Yes, IU will face a brutal Big Ten East schedule, including three opponents Penix missed last season because of injury – Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan.
The redshirt sophomore quarterback sees a new season, a better program and an opportunity that won't get missed.
Last year's 8-5 record was only the beginning.
"I wanted to play in those games," he says via a Zoom press conference. "Everything happens for a reason. I'm ready to play them this year."
Is he ever.
"We'll come out and dominate. This team is ready for the big games. I feel we're going to shock the world."
He flashes the smile of a gambler holding a royal flush before the final bet.
"I know we are."
Penix has spent the 11 months since last playing working on a lot of things, including getting bigger and stronger. The goal is to absorb the hits he couldn't before, because he will get hit hard and often.
He says his mechanics didn't change, but nearly everything else did, for the better.
"Just get bigger so I can embrace the hits. I've got to be out there for my guys. Find ways to make plays all the time. Make the smart play, as well. Make sure I'm out there for my team."
The strong-armed Penix makes lots of plays. Last year, he beat out Peyton Ramsey and in six games completed 69 percent of his passes for 1,394 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions.
Sixteen pounds of muscle later, the 6-3, 218 pounder says, "I always thought I had a strong arm. It can always get better. I feel I've been throwing real well. It's getting better."
Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan likes what he's seen so far.
"Michael is, obviously, a very talented player. One of Michael's biggest strengths is the game is slow for him. He makes quick decisions, he is able to see the field and it does not take him long to grasp concepts."
Penix played older than his years from the moment he hit campus in 2018.
"I credit his upbringing, the people that have helped him along the way, coaches, trainers and parents," Sheridan says. "He has always seen the game very naturally."
Sheridan was the quarterbacks coach in Penix's first season. He switched to tight ends last year, then took over as offensive coordinator when Kalen DeBoer left to become the Fresno State head coach.
"We have known each other for a long time," Sheridan says. "That is what makes coaching special and what makes the game of football special. I am excited for him to continue to grow, continue to get better, have some fun and stay healthy. I am excited to help him out along the way."
Penix has always embraced Sheridan's coaching.
"We have had a strong relationship since I have been here," Penix says. "The only difference now is that he is calling the plays.
"We have always had a good connection. Last year, when he moved to tight ends, we still talked a lot. He still knew everything that the quarterbacks had going on, so it has always been a good connection."
That connection will get boosted by a strong group of receivers.
Yes, veterans Whop Philyor (70 catches, 1,002 yards, 5 touchdowns), Peyton Hendershot (52-622-4), Ty Fryfogle (45-604-3) and Miles Marshall (16-196-1) get plenty of attention, but younger receivers such as Javon Swinton, Rashawn Williams and Jordan Jakes are making their practice marks.
"Our entire receiver corps has looked really good," Penix says. "We have some young guys like Javon Swinton who is doing really well on the outside and getting a lot of reps. Rashawn Williams is a good player, a quick guy who will be really good for our offense.
"We have a couple more like Jordan Jakes who was here last year and did not get a lot of playing time. These guys are going to have to play a big role this year and step up. I feel like the guys are ready."
Sheridan has tweaked the offense, but has not made radical changes from an attack that averaged 31.8 points and delivered nine 30-point-plus games.
"There is not too much difference," Penix says. "The (new) stuff we fit in because Coach thinks it will make us successful on the field.
"We trust Coach Sheridan and the offense he put in. We're running it the best we can and we're going to go out and execute."
Coaching an offense is hard at any time, especially under pandemic conditions that kept coaches and players away from each other for months.
"It has been difficult to plan too far ahead," Sheridan says. "The ability to adjust, adapt and be flexible will serve us well because we have a coaching staff that is ready to pivot and alter the plan to best help our players.
"I am having a blast because of the staff that I get to work with and the players that we get to coach. The thing I've enjoyed the most is the interaction with the players, which we missed for a long time. I love being around the guys, coaches and players. That is why I coach, to be a part of a team."
As for the rugged schedule, Sheridan says, "Those are great challenges and great opportunities for the entire team. Certainly Michael looks forward to that competition. I look forward to the competition.
"The opportunity has never been greater because of the difficulty of the schedule. It is how we embrace it."
Or, as Penix puts it, "We're always focused on football. We all love it. We found ways to get together and stay connected. We knew, whenever the time comes for us to play, we'll be ready."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Michael Penix Jr. isn't an Indiana Hoosier to concede.
You know that, right?
Yes, IU will face a brutal Big Ten East schedule, including three opponents Penix missed last season because of injury – Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan.
The redshirt sophomore quarterback sees a new season, a better program and an opportunity that won't get missed.
Last year's 8-5 record was only the beginning.
"I wanted to play in those games," he says via a Zoom press conference. "Everything happens for a reason. I'm ready to play them this year."
Is he ever.
"We'll come out and dominate. This team is ready for the big games. I feel we're going to shock the world."
He flashes the smile of a gambler holding a royal flush before the final bet.
"I know we are."
Penix has spent the 11 months since last playing working on a lot of things, including getting bigger and stronger. The goal is to absorb the hits he couldn't before, because he will get hit hard and often.
He says his mechanics didn't change, but nearly everything else did, for the better.
"Just get bigger so I can embrace the hits. I've got to be out there for my guys. Find ways to make plays all the time. Make the smart play, as well. Make sure I'm out there for my team."
The strong-armed Penix makes lots of plays. Last year, he beat out Peyton Ramsey and in six games completed 69 percent of his passes for 1,394 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions.
Sixteen pounds of muscle later, the 6-3, 218 pounder says, "I always thought I had a strong arm. It can always get better. I feel I've been throwing real well. It's getting better."
Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan likes what he's seen so far.
"Michael is, obviously, a very talented player. One of Michael's biggest strengths is the game is slow for him. He makes quick decisions, he is able to see the field and it does not take him long to grasp concepts."
Penix played older than his years from the moment he hit campus in 2018.
"I credit his upbringing, the people that have helped him along the way, coaches, trainers and parents," Sheridan says. "He has always seen the game very naturally."
Sheridan was the quarterbacks coach in Penix's first season. He switched to tight ends last year, then took over as offensive coordinator when Kalen DeBoer left to become the Fresno State head coach.
"We have known each other for a long time," Sheridan says. "That is what makes coaching special and what makes the game of football special. I am excited for him to continue to grow, continue to get better, have some fun and stay healthy. I am excited to help him out along the way."
Penix has always embraced Sheridan's coaching.
"We have had a strong relationship since I have been here," Penix says. "The only difference now is that he is calling the plays.
"We have always had a good connection. Last year, when he moved to tight ends, we still talked a lot. He still knew everything that the quarterbacks had going on, so it has always been a good connection."
That connection will get boosted by a strong group of receivers.
Yes, veterans Whop Philyor (70 catches, 1,002 yards, 5 touchdowns), Peyton Hendershot (52-622-4), Ty Fryfogle (45-604-3) and Miles Marshall (16-196-1) get plenty of attention, but younger receivers such as Javon Swinton, Rashawn Williams and Jordan Jakes are making their practice marks.
"Our entire receiver corps has looked really good," Penix says. "We have some young guys like Javon Swinton who is doing really well on the outside and getting a lot of reps. Rashawn Williams is a good player, a quick guy who will be really good for our offense.
"We have a couple more like Jordan Jakes who was here last year and did not get a lot of playing time. These guys are going to have to play a big role this year and step up. I feel like the guys are ready."
Sheridan has tweaked the offense, but has not made radical changes from an attack that averaged 31.8 points and delivered nine 30-point-plus games.
"There is not too much difference," Penix says. "The (new) stuff we fit in because Coach thinks it will make us successful on the field.
"We trust Coach Sheridan and the offense he put in. We're running it the best we can and we're going to go out and execute."
Coaching an offense is hard at any time, especially under pandemic conditions that kept coaches and players away from each other for months.
"It has been difficult to plan too far ahead," Sheridan says. "The ability to adjust, adapt and be flexible will serve us well because we have a coaching staff that is ready to pivot and alter the plan to best help our players.
"I am having a blast because of the staff that I get to work with and the players that we get to coach. The thing I've enjoyed the most is the interaction with the players, which we missed for a long time. I love being around the guys, coaches and players. That is why I coach, to be a part of a team."
As for the rugged schedule, Sheridan says, "Those are great challenges and great opportunities for the entire team. Certainly Michael looks forward to that competition. I look forward to the competition.
"The opportunity has never been greater because of the difficulty of the schedule. It is how we embrace it."
Or, as Penix puts it, "We're always focused on football. We all love it. We found ways to get together and stay connected. We knew, whenever the time comes for us to play, we'll be ready."
Players Mentioned
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