Saturday, October 16
Bloomington, Ind.
12:00 PM
Indiana University
vs
#10/9 Michigan State
‘Just Win’ – Refocused IU Aims for Unbeaten Michigan State
10/15/2021 8:35:00 AM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Proving a point?
Safety Devon Matthews won't go there.
Yes, Saturday's Homecoming showdown with Top-10 Michigan State (6-0) is huge for many reasons for an Indiana team seeking to reboot after a disappointing 2-3 start, but Matthews looks beyond that.
"I wouldn't say it's a proving point because we all know what we came here to do," he says. "We came to play against the best.
"We just need to execute, do our jobs, and win games. We just have to win. That's it."
The challenge -- winning against a brutal schedule loaded with Top-10 teams. For Saturday, that includes containing a Michigan State offense that averages 36.7 points to rank third in the Big Ten and 23rd nationally.
A big reason is Heisman Trophy contender Kenneth Walker III, a Wake Forest transfer running back who already has two 200-yard rushing games. He's rushed for 913 yards with nine touchdowns and averages 7.1 yards a carry.
"Tremendous vision and patience," defensive coordinator Charlton Warren says.
"He doesn't just plug a gap. He is eight yards deep in the backfield sometimes from that pistol set, and he lets the offensive line work for him. He gets to three to four yards from the line of scrimmage, and makes an explosive cut and accelerates at full speed.
"He has the speed to bounce it and outrun you, and the power to run through you or spin out of tackles. That makes him an extremely versatile back."
The Hoosiers are coming off a bye week in which they rehabbed the injured, addressed problems, sought answers, and focused on improving performance.
"The bye week was helpful," Matthews said. "It gave us a break, a time to relax and get our minds focused. I feel we'll be good now."
The bye's timing couldn't have been better, he added.
"It's a whole new part of the season. We aren't worried about the past. We are worried about the future and now."
IU's secondary will be tested against a Michigan State passing attack that averages 269.7 yards behind quarterback Payton Thorne (1,575 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 62.4 percent completions) and receivers Jalen Nailor (5 catches for 221 yards and 3 touchdowns last Saturday against Rutgers) and Jayden Reed (23 catches, 492 yards, 5 touchdowns).
"I feel we've played pretty solid on defense," Matthews says. "We've got to lock in. We've got to stop them from scoring. That's really all."
Injuries to Matthews, safety Raheem Layne, and cornerbacks Reese Taylor, Tiawan Mullen and Jaylin Williams created depth issues, as did cornerback Christopher Keys' season-ending torn ACL. The hope is everyone but Keys is ready for Saturday.
"Everybody's got to get healthy," Matthews says. "I feel like everyone will be good by game time.
"It doesn't matter (if everyone isn't healthy) because if they aren't ready to go, the next guy has to step up. That's all it is. You step up and be ready to go. We have the players who can do that."
That includes the running backs. With David Ellis out for the season after ankle surgery and Tim Baldwin Jr. transferring, the depth behind starter Stephen Carr has taken a hit. Walk-ons Chris Childers and Davion Ervin-Poindexter will get bigger roles, while David Holloman, Charlie Spegal, and Trent Howland will get new opportunities.
Carr offers guidance to those moving up.
"When you practice with the ones (starters)," Carr says, "it's a different type of attention to detail. They have a lot to prove physically, not just mentally."
Carr says he sets an example for them to follow. In a lot of ways, he's become a player-coach.
It starts, he says, by being "locked in" on every play.
"I'm not a finished product, either, so when I'm testing them, asking questions, I want to make sure they ask me questions, too. They want to make sure I'm on my stuff.
"Then it goes to the physical side. I want to get a good feel for how they're supposed to hit the hole. You can see it all day on film, but until your body goes through it, you finally get that feeling that, 'Oh, it feels good to hit the hole hard and follow my read the way it's supposed to be read.'
"That's the biggest part of the game. If you don't get a feel for it, it's going to be hard to do it the first time."
Quarterback Jack Tuttle could start in the wake of Michael Penix Jr. left shoulder injury suffered against Penn State. If so, offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan says, Tuttle will be ready, as he was while starting last season's victory at Wisconsin.
"His work ethic is as good as I've been around," Sheridan says. "He has the physical ability and tools to be a successful quarterback. He's shown that in our conference
"That gives you confidence that he will be ready to go."
If he is, IU could exploit a vulnerable Spartan secondary. They rank last in the Big Ten in pass defense, allowing 301.7 yards per game.
Still, Allen sees plenty to worry about.
"They create takeaways," he says. "Their defense bends a little bit. They give up some yards, but don't give up points."
IU's inconsistent offensive line play remains a problem. Sheridan blames himself.
"We haven't produced good enough," he says. "The person most responsible for that is me, not the players. There are a lot of quality players in that (offensive line) room that can play better. My job is to make sure we're allowing for that, whether it be the schemes, the teaching, the preparation as a staff to give them the confidence to play to their capabilities.
"They have played really well, at times. They have been inconsistent like our whole (offense). That's on me. We're searching to get them to feel confident so they can let it rip. When they've done that, they've done a nice job."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Proving a point?
Safety Devon Matthews won't go there.
Yes, Saturday's Homecoming showdown with Top-10 Michigan State (6-0) is huge for many reasons for an Indiana team seeking to reboot after a disappointing 2-3 start, but Matthews looks beyond that.
"I wouldn't say it's a proving point because we all know what we came here to do," he says. "We came to play against the best.
"We just need to execute, do our jobs, and win games. We just have to win. That's it."
The challenge -- winning against a brutal schedule loaded with Top-10 teams. For Saturday, that includes containing a Michigan State offense that averages 36.7 points to rank third in the Big Ten and 23rd nationally.
A big reason is Heisman Trophy contender Kenneth Walker III, a Wake Forest transfer running back who already has two 200-yard rushing games. He's rushed for 913 yards with nine touchdowns and averages 7.1 yards a carry.
"Tremendous vision and patience," defensive coordinator Charlton Warren says.
"He doesn't just plug a gap. He is eight yards deep in the backfield sometimes from that pistol set, and he lets the offensive line work for him. He gets to three to four yards from the line of scrimmage, and makes an explosive cut and accelerates at full speed.
"He has the speed to bounce it and outrun you, and the power to run through you or spin out of tackles. That makes him an extremely versatile back."
The Hoosiers are coming off a bye week in which they rehabbed the injured, addressed problems, sought answers, and focused on improving performance.
"The bye week was helpful," Matthews said. "It gave us a break, a time to relax and get our minds focused. I feel we'll be good now."
The bye's timing couldn't have been better, he added.
"It's a whole new part of the season. We aren't worried about the past. We are worried about the future and now."
IU's secondary will be tested against a Michigan State passing attack that averages 269.7 yards behind quarterback Payton Thorne (1,575 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 62.4 percent completions) and receivers Jalen Nailor (5 catches for 221 yards and 3 touchdowns last Saturday against Rutgers) and Jayden Reed (23 catches, 492 yards, 5 touchdowns).
"I feel we've played pretty solid on defense," Matthews says. "We've got to lock in. We've got to stop them from scoring. That's really all."
Injuries to Matthews, safety Raheem Layne, and cornerbacks Reese Taylor, Tiawan Mullen and Jaylin Williams created depth issues, as did cornerback Christopher Keys' season-ending torn ACL. The hope is everyone but Keys is ready for Saturday.
"Everybody's got to get healthy," Matthews says. "I feel like everyone will be good by game time.
"It doesn't matter (if everyone isn't healthy) because if they aren't ready to go, the next guy has to step up. That's all it is. You step up and be ready to go. We have the players who can do that."
That includes the running backs. With David Ellis out for the season after ankle surgery and Tim Baldwin Jr. transferring, the depth behind starter Stephen Carr has taken a hit. Walk-ons Chris Childers and Davion Ervin-Poindexter will get bigger roles, while David Holloman, Charlie Spegal, and Trent Howland will get new opportunities.
Carr offers guidance to those moving up.
"When you practice with the ones (starters)," Carr says, "it's a different type of attention to detail. They have a lot to prove physically, not just mentally."
Carr says he sets an example for them to follow. In a lot of ways, he's become a player-coach.
It starts, he says, by being "locked in" on every play.
"I'm not a finished product, either, so when I'm testing them, asking questions, I want to make sure they ask me questions, too. They want to make sure I'm on my stuff.
"Then it goes to the physical side. I want to get a good feel for how they're supposed to hit the hole. You can see it all day on film, but until your body goes through it, you finally get that feeling that, 'Oh, it feels good to hit the hole hard and follow my read the way it's supposed to be read.'
"That's the biggest part of the game. If you don't get a feel for it, it's going to be hard to do it the first time."
Quarterback Jack Tuttle could start in the wake of Michael Penix Jr. left shoulder injury suffered against Penn State. If so, offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan says, Tuttle will be ready, as he was while starting last season's victory at Wisconsin.
"His work ethic is as good as I've been around," Sheridan says. "He has the physical ability and tools to be a successful quarterback. He's shown that in our conference
"That gives you confidence that he will be ready to go."
If he is, IU could exploit a vulnerable Spartan secondary. They rank last in the Big Ten in pass defense, allowing 301.7 yards per game.
Still, Allen sees plenty to worry about.
"They create takeaways," he says. "Their defense bends a little bit. They give up some yards, but don't give up points."
IU's inconsistent offensive line play remains a problem. Sheridan blames himself.
"We haven't produced good enough," he says. "The person most responsible for that is me, not the players. There are a lot of quality players in that (offensive line) room that can play better. My job is to make sure we're allowing for that, whether it be the schemes, the teaching, the preparation as a staff to give them the confidence to play to their capabilities.
"They have played really well, at times. They have been inconsistent like our whole (offense). That's on me. We're searching to get them to feel confident so they can let it rip. When they've done that, they've done a nice job."
Players Mentioned
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