IU All-Americans Hope to Finish Season ‘The Right Way’

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Micah McFadden didn't figure on this. All-America honors? It seemed more wishful thinking than possibility, even in early October.

And yet, here is Indiana's junior linebacker, a couple days from an Outback Bowl meeting with Ole Miss, contemplating an honor last achieved by a Hoosier linebacker by Tegray Scales in 2016.

"I am not going to lie and say that I expected this, that this was one of my biggest goals, or that I really saw it happening this season," McFadden says via Zoom press conference.

"I am excited that it came and that the success I had and the defense had created momentum for this team, for the season that we are having, and for this upcoming bowl game."

McFadden has third-team All-America company with senior receiver Ty Fryfogle.

"It is a really big honor," Fryfogle says. "It has been a blessing, but I just want to finish off the season the right way and get the win."

That could come Saturday at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium when the No. 7 Hoosiers (6-1) face the Rebels (4-5).

McFadden leads IU in tackles (52), sacks (5) and tackles for loss (8.5). He was the national defensive player of the week after totaling nine tackles and two sacks in a victory at No. 16 Wisconsin. He's twice had double figures in tackles (Penn State and Ohio State).

McFadden is the biggest beneficiary of an improved IU defense that led the Big Ten with 17 interceptions. It shut out Michigan State, held Maryland to 11 points and Wisconsin to six.

"I want to thank my teammates, coaches and family for pushing me and encouraging me," McFadden says. "They have all really helped me through this difficult, weird season."

Fryfogle, IU's first All-America receiver since James Hardy in 2007, became the first Big Ten receiver to have consecutive 200-yard receiving games. He averages 20.2 yards per catch with a team-high 687 receiving yards.

"I wouldn't say I'm shocked," he says. "I feel like over these past four years I've worked hard to get where I'm at, getting better each year. I feel like I've elevated my game, but I still have a long way to go."

Neither player generated elite recruiting buzz (ESPN rated McFadden the nation's No. 93 outside linebacker coming out of Tampa's Plant High School), but they had attributes you can win with -- toughness, talent and determination. They took to coaching. They believed in themselves and the program.

Head coach Tom Allen and his staff noticed then, and the nation notices now.

"That is a tremendous honor for those two young men and for our program," Allen says. "We are excited for them and just continue to be recognized for what this team has accomplished and what we continue to do together. So proud of those guys."

This is a homecoming of sorts for McFadden given his Tampa roots that included a 2016 high school state title-game run. He has been to a few Tampa Bay Buccaneer games at Raymond James Stadium.

"It's going to mean a lot (to play there)," McFadden says. "I have a lot of family coming. I think it will be close to 45 people. It will be really exciting. I cannot wait to play in front of a big crowd for once this season."

IU hasn't played since its Dec. 5 win at Wisconsin because of a COVID-19 outbreak among players and coaches that halted football-related activities. It twice cost Indiana games against Purdue.

Most of the Hoosiers are back to full practicing, at least enough to go 11-on-11. Allen says he hopes everyone will be back by Tuesday, Wednesday at the latest. IU is set to leave for Tampa after Wednesday's practice.

"You'd like to get a full practice in before we head out of here," he says.

"We're able to practice now. We have the numbers to get the proper look.

"That has been a challenge. You've got to stay sharp. That's why we've done some (offensive starters) vs. (defensive starters). We're trying to simulate game situations and keep our guys focused and locked in for that."

Much of that focus is on containing one of the nation's best offenses. Ole Miss averages 40.7 points behind quarterback Matt Corral.

"I think Matt Corral is phenomenal," defensive coordinator Kane Wommack says. "He does a great job of extending plays and drives. His ability to look defenders off and make deep throws down field is about as good as I have seen.

"They do a very good job schematically pushing the ball down field. He executes it very well and I think what makes him so dynamic is his ability to make plays and to extend drives by getting first downs. We have to make sure we do a good job of limiting his explosives."

McFadden, for one, is prepared to do just that.

"I am glad for the momentum that this team has and really excited for this bowl game."

IU All-Americans Hope to Finish Season ‘The Right Way’

Players Mentioned

Ty Fryfogle

Micah McFadden

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