Indiana University Athletics
IU’s ‘Confident’ Receivers Ready for Ohio State Test
11/19/2020 11:00:00 AM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana's receiving goal Saturday is clear -- attack Ohio State's secondary.
The No. 9 Hoosiers (4-0), with a room full of big-play receivers highlighted by Ty Fryfogle, Whop Philyor and Miles Marshall, plus tight end Peyton Hendershot, are built to ruin a secondary's day.
Consider these numbers:
Fryfogle (24 catches, 424 yards, 4 touchdowns)
Philyor (24, 287, 1)
Marshall (11, 129, 1)
Hendershot (14, 89, 3)
"As a group," receivers coach Grant Heard says, "we are playing with so much confidence, which is a big part of who we are."
Add quarterback Michael Penix Jr.'s ability to successfully throw into dinner-plate-size receiving windows from any distance, combined with No. 3 Ohio State (3-0) allowing 224.3 yards passing a game, and you have the potential to make it a very bad Buckeye day.
"If Mike gives us the opportunity to catch the ball," Heard says, "he has to believe and trust in us that we will come down with the ball and make a play for him.
"He has done a great job and the guys have gone up and competed for the ball and made their plays."
Then Heard's push-'em-more coaching nature kicks in.
"As a coach, I think we probably have not made enough plays, but we have made some. We have to keep improving on that each week."
It's hard to imagine Fryfogle improving on his numbers from the past two games, when he totaled 18 catches for 342 yards and two touchdowns.
That's a follow-up to last year's 13-game totals -- 45 catches, 604 yards, three TDs.
"He is making more of the 50-50 catches," Heard says. "He is so confident that wherever the ball is, he believes he can make a play. We are going to need him to do the same thing Saturday."
Penix is primed to do his part to keep Fryfogle's plays coming. He has thrown for more than 300 yards in each of the last two games. For the season, he completes 60.7 percent of his passes for 1,070 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions.
"Mike is playing at a high level," Heard says. "He is getting the ball to us fast and early, so that is helping us out."
With Ohio State's secondary certain to focus on Fryfogle, Philyor and Marshall, young receivers Javon Swinton (4 catches, 52 yards) and Jacolby Hewitt (3, 47) could get opportunities.
Heard's mission -- ensure they are ready.
"The biggest thing is getting them caught up with the speed of the game. Practice is hard and tough, but the speed of the game is always different on Saturday."
The better the scout team can replicate that speed in practice, Heard adds, the better the chances IU receivers will thrive during the game.
"The guys we are going against know exactly what they are doing. We are trying to get our scout team guys assimilated, but the speed is always different. They are doing an awesome job understanding what we are trying to get done."
IU's own secondary faces a huge test from quarterback Justin Fields (a top Heisman Trophy contender with 11 touchdown passes and no interceptions) and big-play receivers such as Garrett Wilson (24 catches, 344 yards, 2touchdowns) and Chris Olave (18, 288, 4).
The Hoosiers counter with big-play defensive backs Tiawan Mullen, Reese Taylor, Jaylin Williams, Jamar Johnson and Devon Matthews.
Who has the edge?
Indiana's player versatility provides a clue.
"The more positions you can line up some of your best players," safeties coach Jason Jones says, "you are able to do more things. We can be more multiple.
"Tiawan is able to play corner and husky. Jamar is able to play corner and husky. It says a lot about their ability to learn and understand what is going on."
Communication is crucial. As Jones puts it, the secondary is the "last line of defense."
"Nobody is behind you. If there is a break down, if something is not right, we have to problem solve and make sure everybody is right. That is something we are constantly talking about, and it has gotten better."
Another Saturday priority is offensive line play. IU beat Michigan State without offensive line starters Caleb Jones and Mike Katic. That reflects development and depth under offensive line coach Darren Hiller.
Will that depth be tested again?
Stay tuned.
"A big aspect of that has been communication," center Harry Crider says. "That is a huge thing that we have worked on since the preseason.
"As long as that communication is there, the chemistry is there. As long as everybody is on the same page, it doesn't matter who is stepping in. We are confident in that."
Backup Luke Haggard, at 6-7 and 275 pounds, did the biggest stepping against Michigan State by replacing the 6-8 and 362-pound Jones. He's in his first IU season after playing two years Santa Rosa Junior College in California.
"We have been confident in Luke since he got here," Crider says. "He came in with great physical tools and has built on that.
"He put on some weight, but it is really the mental aspect that he had to catch up on. He has really studied hard.
"When he had to step in, we did not hesitate. We knew he would get the job done."
Ohio State annually ranks among the nation's best defenses.
"They are who they are," Crider says. "They play a lot of strong, powerful guys.
"As long as we do what I know we can do, and make sure we are communicating and everyone is on the same page, I feel confident in our ability."
Ohio State also has a dominating offensive line.
These Hoosiers are equipped to handle it. They've allowed 13 and 60 rushing yards in the last two games, indicative of some of the best defensive line play they've had in decades. Credit first-year defensive line coach Kevin Peoples.
"We have played a major role," defensive tackle Jerome Johnson says.
"With Coach Peoples coming in, we have learned some new techniques that have helped us get pressure and keep things steady in our gaps.
"Our guys are buying in and focusing on our technique and making sure we do our job instead of trying to just make plays. Focusing more on what you need to do plays a huge role."
IU hasn't beaten Ohio State since 1988, including last year's 51-10 defeat.
The Hoosiers remember that, just as they did about all the years of futility against Penn State, Michigan and Michigan State.
In case you've forgotten, they've beaten all of those teams this season, a program first.
"Re-watching last year's game (with Ohio State) was pretty ugly," Crider says. "It was hard to watch the offensive line. It was not our best performance. It is something to improve on."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana's receiving goal Saturday is clear -- attack Ohio State's secondary.
The No. 9 Hoosiers (4-0), with a room full of big-play receivers highlighted by Ty Fryfogle, Whop Philyor and Miles Marshall, plus tight end Peyton Hendershot, are built to ruin a secondary's day.
Consider these numbers:
Fryfogle (24 catches, 424 yards, 4 touchdowns)
Philyor (24, 287, 1)
Marshall (11, 129, 1)
Hendershot (14, 89, 3)
"As a group," receivers coach Grant Heard says, "we are playing with so much confidence, which is a big part of who we are."
Add quarterback Michael Penix Jr.'s ability to successfully throw into dinner-plate-size receiving windows from any distance, combined with No. 3 Ohio State (3-0) allowing 224.3 yards passing a game, and you have the potential to make it a very bad Buckeye day.
"If Mike gives us the opportunity to catch the ball," Heard says, "he has to believe and trust in us that we will come down with the ball and make a play for him.
"He has done a great job and the guys have gone up and competed for the ball and made their plays."
Then Heard's push-'em-more coaching nature kicks in.
"As a coach, I think we probably have not made enough plays, but we have made some. We have to keep improving on that each week."
It's hard to imagine Fryfogle improving on his numbers from the past two games, when he totaled 18 catches for 342 yards and two touchdowns.
That's a follow-up to last year's 13-game totals -- 45 catches, 604 yards, three TDs.
"He is making more of the 50-50 catches," Heard says. "He is so confident that wherever the ball is, he believes he can make a play. We are going to need him to do the same thing Saturday."
Penix is primed to do his part to keep Fryfogle's plays coming. He has thrown for more than 300 yards in each of the last two games. For the season, he completes 60.7 percent of his passes for 1,070 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions.
"Mike is playing at a high level," Heard says. "He is getting the ball to us fast and early, so that is helping us out."
With Ohio State's secondary certain to focus on Fryfogle, Philyor and Marshall, young receivers Javon Swinton (4 catches, 52 yards) and Jacolby Hewitt (3, 47) could get opportunities.
Heard's mission -- ensure they are ready.
"The biggest thing is getting them caught up with the speed of the game. Practice is hard and tough, but the speed of the game is always different on Saturday."
The better the scout team can replicate that speed in practice, Heard adds, the better the chances IU receivers will thrive during the game.
"The guys we are going against know exactly what they are doing. We are trying to get our scout team guys assimilated, but the speed is always different. They are doing an awesome job understanding what we are trying to get done."
IU's own secondary faces a huge test from quarterback Justin Fields (a top Heisman Trophy contender with 11 touchdown passes and no interceptions) and big-play receivers such as Garrett Wilson (24 catches, 344 yards, 2touchdowns) and Chris Olave (18, 288, 4).
The Hoosiers counter with big-play defensive backs Tiawan Mullen, Reese Taylor, Jaylin Williams, Jamar Johnson and Devon Matthews.
Who has the edge?
Indiana's player versatility provides a clue.
"The more positions you can line up some of your best players," safeties coach Jason Jones says, "you are able to do more things. We can be more multiple.
"Tiawan is able to play corner and husky. Jamar is able to play corner and husky. It says a lot about their ability to learn and understand what is going on."
Communication is crucial. As Jones puts it, the secondary is the "last line of defense."
"Nobody is behind you. If there is a break down, if something is not right, we have to problem solve and make sure everybody is right. That is something we are constantly talking about, and it has gotten better."
Another Saturday priority is offensive line play. IU beat Michigan State without offensive line starters Caleb Jones and Mike Katic. That reflects development and depth under offensive line coach Darren Hiller.
Will that depth be tested again?
Stay tuned.
"A big aspect of that has been communication," center Harry Crider says. "That is a huge thing that we have worked on since the preseason.
"As long as that communication is there, the chemistry is there. As long as everybody is on the same page, it doesn't matter who is stepping in. We are confident in that."
Backup Luke Haggard, at 6-7 and 275 pounds, did the biggest stepping against Michigan State by replacing the 6-8 and 362-pound Jones. He's in his first IU season after playing two years Santa Rosa Junior College in California.
"We have been confident in Luke since he got here," Crider says. "He came in with great physical tools and has built on that.
"He put on some weight, but it is really the mental aspect that he had to catch up on. He has really studied hard.
"When he had to step in, we did not hesitate. We knew he would get the job done."
Ohio State annually ranks among the nation's best defenses.
"They are who they are," Crider says. "They play a lot of strong, powerful guys.
"As long as we do what I know we can do, and make sure we are communicating and everyone is on the same page, I feel confident in our ability."
Ohio State also has a dominating offensive line.
These Hoosiers are equipped to handle it. They've allowed 13 and 60 rushing yards in the last two games, indicative of some of the best defensive line play they've had in decades. Credit first-year defensive line coach Kevin Peoples.
"We have played a major role," defensive tackle Jerome Johnson says.
"With Coach Peoples coming in, we have learned some new techniques that have helped us get pressure and keep things steady in our gaps.
"Our guys are buying in and focusing on our technique and making sure we do our job instead of trying to just make plays. Focusing more on what you need to do plays a huge role."
IU hasn't beaten Ohio State since 1988, including last year's 51-10 defeat.
The Hoosiers remember that, just as they did about all the years of futility against Penn State, Michigan and Michigan State.
In case you've forgotten, they've beaten all of those teams this season, a program first.
"Re-watching last year's game (with Ohio State) was pretty ugly," Crider says. "It was hard to watch the offensive line. It was not our best performance. It is something to improve on."
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