No Question -- Indiana Aims To Run to Football Success
6/25/2020 2:00:00 PM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana needs to run opponents into submission. Mike Hart believes that. He coaches to achieve that.
The upcoming season, the Hoosiers running backs coach says, is primed to showcase that.
"The O-line is good enough. The running backs are good enough. It comes down to the staff to put in the correct game plan and get these guys where they need to be to utilize their talents."
Such optimism is rooted in that talent.
Start with veteran Stevie Scott III, a potential 100-yard rusher whenever he hits the field. Consider Sampson James, a formidable runner who, in a 118-yard start against Purdue, showed his huge upside. Add David Ellis, an electric athlete who punishes defenses in multiple ways.
As Hart puts it, "We have some really good running backs."
The former Michigan All-American doesn't coach to past reputations or successes. In this what-have-you-done-lately world, nothing is given, everything is earned.
"From a competition standpoint," he says, "our guys know they need to get better, and it's clear that whoever the best player is, will play."
Then he raises the stakes – for all parties concerned.
"We tell our players if you don't get better, somebody is going to take your job. It's the same thing with coaches. So we're trying our best to put our guys in the best position possible. That comes down to schemes, film study and evaluating what we did in the past."
Even amid pandemic separation and uncertainty, that focus resonates.
"We always go into the offseason trying to get better," Hart says. "We all have to get better.
"Stevie has to get better. Sampson needs to get better. We have (freshman running back) Tim Baldwin who needs to get better. (Reserve running back) Ahrod Lloyd played a lot toward the end of last year. He needs to get better."
Scott led IU with 845 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns last year in 11 games. That guarantees him nothing this season. James, once a four-star high school prospect out of the Indianapolis area, will get plenty of opportunities to improve on his freshman numbers of 275 yards and three touchdowns.
"With Stevie and Sampson, the one thing you know is that you have two guys who can play at a high level," Hart says. "That gives you some security. It also makes everyone else work harder to get on the field."
Scott's late-season injury pushed James into a starting role against Purdue, and he responded with that 118-yard, one-touchdown effort on 22 carries. He started again against Tennessee in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.
"The main thing with Sampson is that he needs to stay healthy," Hart says. "That comes into the offseason.
"Last year when he came in, he was hurt from high school. That set him back a little, and he didn't get (spring practice).
"He just needs to keep his body healthy. It's the same with all these guys. If you can't be on the field, you can't bring any value on game days. We need to keep these guys healthy and get them through a whole Big Ten season."
Expect Ellis to have a major running back impact after switching from wide receiver. He also will continue to have a big kickoff returner role.
"David is one of the best athletes on the team," Hart says. "If you ask anybody, they'll tell you that.
"He played a lot of slot last year and in the backfield. We're going to see what he can do."
Last year as a true freshman, Ellis caught 16 passes for 173 yards. He ran nine times for 53 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 20.7 yards per kickoff return.
IU hopes to maximize that versatility this season, and beyond.
"He played running back in high school," Hart says. "He was recruited as a running back/athlete. We're going to get him on the field wherever we need him.
"He's a dangerous kick returner. He has some speed. He's an explosive-play guy that we need to find a way to get the ball to in whatever way we can."
Inconsistent running limited IU last season. The Hoosiers averaged 130.4 yards and 3.6 yard's rushing per game.
Expect better this season, Hart says.
"It comes down to a lot of things. First and foremost, we have to do our job in the backfield."
That means taking a play with the blocking to get no yards and gain three, or the blocking for five yards and get eight. It means being physical and tenacious with tackle-busting ferocity.
"That comes with yards after contact," Hart says. "It's running the correct paths, the correct reads."
Ultimately, he adds, it involves play calling, offensive line blocking and doing what needs to be done.
"Each game plan is different," Hart says. "Some teams are better at stopping the run, so you need to pass."
Hart mentioned last year's Michigan State game, when receiver Whop Philyor had 14 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns against one of the Big Ten's better run defenses that held IU to 70 rushing yards on 28 carries. Many of those catches were called runs, but quarterback Michael Penix Jr. used the run-pass option to throw instead.
"We take what the defense dictates," Hart says. "We need to stay ahead of the sticks so we're second-and-6, and third-and-2.
"We need to control what we can control. As long as we're scoring, we can stick with the game plan, which is to run the ball."
Last year IU had a 30-point-plus-a-game offense under former offensive coordinator and current Fresno State head coach Kalen DeBoer. That shouldn't change with new offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, Hart says.
"Nick is doing a great job. He took the bull by the horns and ran with it. He's going to be a great coordinator. He's a great leader. I'm happy to work for and with him.
"He's really smart and understands the game."
That understanding will translate into changes, although nothing major. Head coach Tom Allen likes the diversity and balance DeBoer's offense delivered, and Sheridan aims to improve that, including the running game.
"Any offseason you go back and look at what we did good or bad," Hart says. "What runs worked? What runs didn't work? Why did they work? Why didn't they? Was it the running back making the wrong read? Was the scheme incorrect?
"When you look at those things, that's how you get better. You study teams that ran well against good teams."
No IU offensive coach takes running studies more seriously than Hart.
"Anybody can run against teams that aren't good, but what did you do against Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan? Look who had success against them in the run. How did they do within our run scheme? What do we need to do to complement those plays? What are our guys best suited to do?
"It comes down to personnel, and how do we put our guys in position to have success. Is it outside zone? Is it inside zone? Is it power?
"What are we best at and how can we do it and match those plays up with the pass?
If those answers match the optimism, look out.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana needs to run opponents into submission. Mike Hart believes that. He coaches to achieve that.
The upcoming season, the Hoosiers running backs coach says, is primed to showcase that.
"The O-line is good enough. The running backs are good enough. It comes down to the staff to put in the correct game plan and get these guys where they need to be to utilize their talents."
Such optimism is rooted in that talent.
Start with veteran Stevie Scott III, a potential 100-yard rusher whenever he hits the field. Consider Sampson James, a formidable runner who, in a 118-yard start against Purdue, showed his huge upside. Add David Ellis, an electric athlete who punishes defenses in multiple ways.
As Hart puts it, "We have some really good running backs."
The former Michigan All-American doesn't coach to past reputations or successes. In this what-have-you-done-lately world, nothing is given, everything is earned.
"From a competition standpoint," he says, "our guys know they need to get better, and it's clear that whoever the best player is, will play."
Then he raises the stakes – for all parties concerned.
"We tell our players if you don't get better, somebody is going to take your job. It's the same thing with coaches. So we're trying our best to put our guys in the best position possible. That comes down to schemes, film study and evaluating what we did in the past."
Even amid pandemic separation and uncertainty, that focus resonates.
"We always go into the offseason trying to get better," Hart says. "We all have to get better.
"Stevie has to get better. Sampson needs to get better. We have (freshman running back) Tim Baldwin who needs to get better. (Reserve running back) Ahrod Lloyd played a lot toward the end of last year. He needs to get better."
Scott led IU with 845 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns last year in 11 games. That guarantees him nothing this season. James, once a four-star high school prospect out of the Indianapolis area, will get plenty of opportunities to improve on his freshman numbers of 275 yards and three touchdowns.
"With Stevie and Sampson, the one thing you know is that you have two guys who can play at a high level," Hart says. "That gives you some security. It also makes everyone else work harder to get on the field."
Scott's late-season injury pushed James into a starting role against Purdue, and he responded with that 118-yard, one-touchdown effort on 22 carries. He started again against Tennessee in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.
"The main thing with Sampson is that he needs to stay healthy," Hart says. "That comes into the offseason.
"Last year when he came in, he was hurt from high school. That set him back a little, and he didn't get (spring practice).
"He just needs to keep his body healthy. It's the same with all these guys. If you can't be on the field, you can't bring any value on game days. We need to keep these guys healthy and get them through a whole Big Ten season."
Expect Ellis to have a major running back impact after switching from wide receiver. He also will continue to have a big kickoff returner role.
"David is one of the best athletes on the team," Hart says. "If you ask anybody, they'll tell you that.
"He played a lot of slot last year and in the backfield. We're going to see what he can do."
Last year as a true freshman, Ellis caught 16 passes for 173 yards. He ran nine times for 53 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 20.7 yards per kickoff return.
IU hopes to maximize that versatility this season, and beyond.
"He played running back in high school," Hart says. "He was recruited as a running back/athlete. We're going to get him on the field wherever we need him.
"He's a dangerous kick returner. He has some speed. He's an explosive-play guy that we need to find a way to get the ball to in whatever way we can."
Inconsistent running limited IU last season. The Hoosiers averaged 130.4 yards and 3.6 yard's rushing per game.
Expect better this season, Hart says.
"It comes down to a lot of things. First and foremost, we have to do our job in the backfield."
That means taking a play with the blocking to get no yards and gain three, or the blocking for five yards and get eight. It means being physical and tenacious with tackle-busting ferocity.
"That comes with yards after contact," Hart says. "It's running the correct paths, the correct reads."
Ultimately, he adds, it involves play calling, offensive line blocking and doing what needs to be done.
"Each game plan is different," Hart says. "Some teams are better at stopping the run, so you need to pass."
Hart mentioned last year's Michigan State game, when receiver Whop Philyor had 14 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns against one of the Big Ten's better run defenses that held IU to 70 rushing yards on 28 carries. Many of those catches were called runs, but quarterback Michael Penix Jr. used the run-pass option to throw instead.
"We take what the defense dictates," Hart says. "We need to stay ahead of the sticks so we're second-and-6, and third-and-2.
"We need to control what we can control. As long as we're scoring, we can stick with the game plan, which is to run the ball."
Last year IU had a 30-point-plus-a-game offense under former offensive coordinator and current Fresno State head coach Kalen DeBoer. That shouldn't change with new offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, Hart says.
"Nick is doing a great job. He took the bull by the horns and ran with it. He's going to be a great coordinator. He's a great leader. I'm happy to work for and with him.
"He's really smart and understands the game."
That understanding will translate into changes, although nothing major. Head coach Tom Allen likes the diversity and balance DeBoer's offense delivered, and Sheridan aims to improve that, including the running game.
"Any offseason you go back and look at what we did good or bad," Hart says. "What runs worked? What runs didn't work? Why did they work? Why didn't they? Was it the running back making the wrong read? Was the scheme incorrect?
"When you look at those things, that's how you get better. You study teams that ran well against good teams."
No IU offensive coach takes running studies more seriously than Hart.
"Anybody can run against teams that aren't good, but what did you do against Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan? Look who had success against them in the run. How did they do within our run scheme? What do we need to do to complement those plays? What are our guys best suited to do?
"It comes down to personnel, and how do we put our guys in position to have success. Is it outside zone? Is it inside zone? Is it power?
"What are we best at and how can we do it and match those plays up with the pass?
If those answers match the optimism, look out.
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