Indiana University Athletics
NOTEBOOK: Michigan Up Next for Hoosiers
11/2/2021 9:00:00 AM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Donaven McCulley played beyond his years.
Will the quarterback, after throwing for a true-freshman program record 242 yards in last Saturday's loss at Maryland, get the chance to do it again, this time Saturday night at perennial powerhouse Michigan?
As head coach Tom Allen said, "Right now, Donaven is the guy."
Veterans Michael Penix Jr. and Jack Tuttle remain in week-to-week rehab mode.
"We'll see how they progress this week," Allen said during Monday's weekly press conference. "It's a little unknown as far as Jack's injury. We'll see how quickly he'll bounce back from that. I know Michael's throwing and moving around and doing things at maybe a better rate than we thought.
"At the same time, Donaven is the healthiest right now. He is the guy that we're getting ready to play.
"He showed a lot of positive signs of things that I expected him to be able to do. I know not everybody saw that against Ohio State (1-for-6 passing for 30 yards). So that was kind of frustrating because I knew he was a different quarterback than he showed. But it was what it was, and that's how he played.
"You have to just grow from there. He did. He responded. Right now, Donaven is the guy and we have to keep getting him ready to play better every week."
In his college starting debut, McCulley was 14-for-25 with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
"Donaven obviously played well," Allen said. "He played better in the fourth quarter than he did in the first quarter. He got better as the game wore on and was more comfortable.
"Obviously set a record for yards for a true freshman quarterback in a game. We are really proud of him, his preparation and his ability to rise up in a road game, which is always hard for a young guy. We are encouraged by that, but not surprised.
"I do think, and I've said all along, I thought he's a really talented player that has a big upside, and his best football is ahead of him."
******
Ninth-ranked Michigan (7-1) thrives with a pair of powerhouse running backs and a pair of quarterbacks.
The Wolverines can run over opponents with Blake Corum (771 rushing yards, 6.0 yards per carry, 10 touchdowns) and Hassan Haskins (661, 4.8, 10 TDs)
They also can throw over you with Cade McNamara (63.2 percent, 1,498 passing yards, 7 touchdowns, s interceptions) and J.J. McCarthy (65.2, 235 yards, 3 TDs, 0 interceptions).
McNamara is coming off a 383-yard passing effort in last Saturday's 37-33 loss to rival Michigan State.
"There is no question they run the ball very, very well," Allen said. "They have a very big offensive line. Very physical. Two really talented running backs that have been very effective.
"They do have talented receivers and a good quarterback that just seems to have a lot of moxie to him and toughness and moves the chains and makes a lot of plays more with his arm than his legs. They play a second quarterback a little bit for some packages.
"But the bottom line is, they've established (a running identity) and you can tell from the beginning of the season what they wanted to do was establish the run game. And they've done a really good job of that."
Michigan averages 37.1 points and allows 17.1. It has seven receivers with at least 154 receiving yards.
"Even in the game this past week, they really had a lot of points, a lot of yards," Allen said. "Michigan State just scored more points than they did. It wasn't like (the Spartans) stopped them. This is a very big challenge for our guys.
"They do a great job blocking up front. Got some big tight ends that can catch the ball and run well."
Michigan has gone away from the spread offense to a power approach.
"It's a very different looking offense than they've been the last couple of years," Allen said. "Kind of a little more back to what they were in the past. Especially with the multiple formations and personnel groupings and different things and emphasis on running the football.
"So less of a spread mindset, more of two tight ends and multiple looks. It's been very good for them."
Last Saturday Michigan State thrived against the Wolverines with an up-tempo attack that featured a heavy rushing dose of Kenneth Walker III with 23 carries, 197 yards, and five touchdowns.
*****
Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan and tight ends coach Kevin Wright switched locations at Maryland, and the result was McCulley's record-setting performance.
Sheridan was on the sidelines while Wright moved to the press box. The reason was to help McCulley navigate the complexities of facing a Big Ten defense on the road for the first time.
"It was positive to be there for him," Sheridan said. "To be able to communicate with him directly and not over a phone. Just to look him in the eyes and ask him what he was seeing and how he was feeling."
Allen liked the move.
"Nick came to me and expressed why he needed to be (on the sideline) and I 100 percent agreed," Allen said. "It was to help give Donaven immediate feedback right off the field. Be able to talk to him face to face and help him process everything, make adjustments, and keep him calm.
"I think it helped Donaven and was positive for the whole offense."
****
A revamped offensive line made huge strides at Maryland.
Are more strides coming at Michigan?
It helps to have a healthy Zach Carpenter, a Michigan transfer who has battled injuries. He played at right guard against the Terrapins while Matthew Bedford moved from right to left guard due to Mike Katic's injury.
"Just getting (Carpenter) where he was healthy enough to be a guy in there," Allen said. "He needed to be at one of those spots, whether it was center, right guard, or left guard. He can play all three.
"Zach is a good player. I wanted to get him in there, and it worked out because of (Katic's) injury. Zach was going to be in there somewhere. That needed to happen."
*****
IU found its running game against the Terrapins. It rushed for 204 yards, including a season-high 136 yards and two touchdowns from Stephen Carr.
Carr's 66-yard touchdown run was a highlight.
"Stephen busting that big run on third and two was key," Sheridan said.
"When you look at rushing yards, there's two key components. The first is eliminating negative plays, which we did a better job of. There was more solid production of 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-yard runs.
"And then, in order to have big production, you need a big run."
Mission accomplished.
****
Look for IU to continue to look for more ways to involve receiver Ty Fryfogle and tight end Peyton Hendershot.
Against Maryland, Fryfogle had four catches for 78 yards. He also added eight rushing yards on a reverse. Hendershot had six catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns.
"It was an emphasis to get (Fryfogle) the ball," Allen said. "We were trying to get him more touches. He's a talented player. He's one of our best players and we need to get him the ball. That was by design.
"Peyton has been phenomenal. You think of how hard he's worked and what he's overcome (as far as injuries) and what he's become as a leader and a player. Very excited for him and proud of him.
"He continues to play at a high level. He's gritty, tough, catching the football, blocking hard, playing hard on special teams.
"(Backup tight end) Matt Bjorson is the same thing. He's playing his tail off. Our tight end room has been a bright spot."
*****
IU (2-6) has to win its final four games to become bowl eligible for the third-straight season.
That means winning at Michigan and at Purdue, beating Rutgers and Minnesota at home.
"(The players) understand," Allen said. "They know. We don't have to talk about it a lot. The captains mentioned it when I met with them. They understand what's at stake.
"This is about trying to find a way to compete at a high level, play at a high level, and win Big Ten games. That's the whole goal.
"We've got to play our best football in all three phases, working together, complementing one another."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Donaven McCulley played beyond his years.
Will the quarterback, after throwing for a true-freshman program record 242 yards in last Saturday's loss at Maryland, get the chance to do it again, this time Saturday night at perennial powerhouse Michigan?
As head coach Tom Allen said, "Right now, Donaven is the guy."
Veterans Michael Penix Jr. and Jack Tuttle remain in week-to-week rehab mode.
"We'll see how they progress this week," Allen said during Monday's weekly press conference. "It's a little unknown as far as Jack's injury. We'll see how quickly he'll bounce back from that. I know Michael's throwing and moving around and doing things at maybe a better rate than we thought.
"At the same time, Donaven is the healthiest right now. He is the guy that we're getting ready to play.
"He showed a lot of positive signs of things that I expected him to be able to do. I know not everybody saw that against Ohio State (1-for-6 passing for 30 yards). So that was kind of frustrating because I knew he was a different quarterback than he showed. But it was what it was, and that's how he played.
"You have to just grow from there. He did. He responded. Right now, Donaven is the guy and we have to keep getting him ready to play better every week."
In his college starting debut, McCulley was 14-for-25 with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
"Donaven obviously played well," Allen said. "He played better in the fourth quarter than he did in the first quarter. He got better as the game wore on and was more comfortable.
"Obviously set a record for yards for a true freshman quarterback in a game. We are really proud of him, his preparation and his ability to rise up in a road game, which is always hard for a young guy. We are encouraged by that, but not surprised.
"I do think, and I've said all along, I thought he's a really talented player that has a big upside, and his best football is ahead of him."
******
Ninth-ranked Michigan (7-1) thrives with a pair of powerhouse running backs and a pair of quarterbacks.
The Wolverines can run over opponents with Blake Corum (771 rushing yards, 6.0 yards per carry, 10 touchdowns) and Hassan Haskins (661, 4.8, 10 TDs)
They also can throw over you with Cade McNamara (63.2 percent, 1,498 passing yards, 7 touchdowns, s interceptions) and J.J. McCarthy (65.2, 235 yards, 3 TDs, 0 interceptions).
McNamara is coming off a 383-yard passing effort in last Saturday's 37-33 loss to rival Michigan State.
"There is no question they run the ball very, very well," Allen said. "They have a very big offensive line. Very physical. Two really talented running backs that have been very effective.
"They do have talented receivers and a good quarterback that just seems to have a lot of moxie to him and toughness and moves the chains and makes a lot of plays more with his arm than his legs. They play a second quarterback a little bit for some packages.
"But the bottom line is, they've established (a running identity) and you can tell from the beginning of the season what they wanted to do was establish the run game. And they've done a really good job of that."
Michigan averages 37.1 points and allows 17.1. It has seven receivers with at least 154 receiving yards.
"Even in the game this past week, they really had a lot of points, a lot of yards," Allen said. "Michigan State just scored more points than they did. It wasn't like (the Spartans) stopped them. This is a very big challenge for our guys.
"They do a great job blocking up front. Got some big tight ends that can catch the ball and run well."
Michigan has gone away from the spread offense to a power approach.
"It's a very different looking offense than they've been the last couple of years," Allen said. "Kind of a little more back to what they were in the past. Especially with the multiple formations and personnel groupings and different things and emphasis on running the football.
"So less of a spread mindset, more of two tight ends and multiple looks. It's been very good for them."
Last Saturday Michigan State thrived against the Wolverines with an up-tempo attack that featured a heavy rushing dose of Kenneth Walker III with 23 carries, 197 yards, and five touchdowns.
*****
Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan and tight ends coach Kevin Wright switched locations at Maryland, and the result was McCulley's record-setting performance.
Sheridan was on the sidelines while Wright moved to the press box. The reason was to help McCulley navigate the complexities of facing a Big Ten defense on the road for the first time.
"It was positive to be there for him," Sheridan said. "To be able to communicate with him directly and not over a phone. Just to look him in the eyes and ask him what he was seeing and how he was feeling."
Allen liked the move.
"Nick came to me and expressed why he needed to be (on the sideline) and I 100 percent agreed," Allen said. "It was to help give Donaven immediate feedback right off the field. Be able to talk to him face to face and help him process everything, make adjustments, and keep him calm.
"I think it helped Donaven and was positive for the whole offense."
****
A revamped offensive line made huge strides at Maryland.
Are more strides coming at Michigan?
It helps to have a healthy Zach Carpenter, a Michigan transfer who has battled injuries. He played at right guard against the Terrapins while Matthew Bedford moved from right to left guard due to Mike Katic's injury.
"Just getting (Carpenter) where he was healthy enough to be a guy in there," Allen said. "He needed to be at one of those spots, whether it was center, right guard, or left guard. He can play all three.
"Zach is a good player. I wanted to get him in there, and it worked out because of (Katic's) injury. Zach was going to be in there somewhere. That needed to happen."
*****
IU found its running game against the Terrapins. It rushed for 204 yards, including a season-high 136 yards and two touchdowns from Stephen Carr.
Carr's 66-yard touchdown run was a highlight.
"Stephen busting that big run on third and two was key," Sheridan said.
"When you look at rushing yards, there's two key components. The first is eliminating negative plays, which we did a better job of. There was more solid production of 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-yard runs.
"And then, in order to have big production, you need a big run."
Mission accomplished.
****
Look for IU to continue to look for more ways to involve receiver Ty Fryfogle and tight end Peyton Hendershot.
Against Maryland, Fryfogle had four catches for 78 yards. He also added eight rushing yards on a reverse. Hendershot had six catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns.
"It was an emphasis to get (Fryfogle) the ball," Allen said. "We were trying to get him more touches. He's a talented player. He's one of our best players and we need to get him the ball. That was by design.
"Peyton has been phenomenal. You think of how hard he's worked and what he's overcome (as far as injuries) and what he's become as a leader and a player. Very excited for him and proud of him.
"He continues to play at a high level. He's gritty, tough, catching the football, blocking hard, playing hard on special teams.
"(Backup tight end) Matt Bjorson is the same thing. He's playing his tail off. Our tight end room has been a bright spot."
*****
IU (2-6) has to win its final four games to become bowl eligible for the third-straight season.
That means winning at Michigan and at Purdue, beating Rutgers and Minnesota at home.
"(The players) understand," Allen said. "They know. We don't have to talk about it a lot. The captains mentioned it when I met with them. They understand what's at stake.
"This is about trying to find a way to compete at a high level, play at a high level, and win Big Ten games. That's the whole goal.
"We've got to play our best football in all three phases, working together, complementing one another."
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