NOTEBOOK: Lucas Primed for a Bigger Role
10/4/2022 10:00:00 AM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - We're about to see more of running back Jaylin Lucas.
How much more?
Nothing is sure but this thought as Indiana (3-2) prepares to play No. 4 Michigan (5-0) in Saturday's Homecoming game -- the 5-9, 185-pound true freshman is seldom used, but not forgotten.
"He's a guy we want to, need to, and expect to get him the ball more," head coach Tom Allen says.
Lucas's three carries for 39 yards against Nebraska included a 34-yard bust that highlighted his speed and elusiveness. In an offense needing explosive plays in the worst way, he can make his mark.
And yet, he hadn't carried the ball since the Idaho game, when he had four carries for 16 yards. He'd only caught one pass, and that was for seven yards against Western Kentucky.
Why? The No. 1 reason is pass protection.
"He's obviously a running back," Allen says, "and pass protection is a big deal. It's part of that.
"We don't sub guys a lot. You've got to be able to stay with the personnel grouping that you have in those situations."
Still, Lucas is set to play a bigger role, which includes special teams. He has, after all, returned four kickoffs for 91 yards, including a 38-yard effort against Illinois.
"He'll be returning kicks for us now consistently," Allen says. "And then just trying to get him more touches without question because he obviously showed what he can do with the ball in his hand in (the Nebraska) game.
IU coaches knew what they had when they recruited Lucas. As a Louisiana high school senior, he earned all-state recognition with 1,883 all-purpose yards. He also finished sixth in the 100-meter dash at the Louisiana state track meet. Rivals rated him as the nation's No. 12 all-purpose back.
Fall camp showcased big-play potential, but didn't obscure the pass protection concerns. Like so many freshmen, Lucas has to get bigger and stronger, a process that takes time.
"As we get our guys developed each week," Allen says, "there will be opportunities to maximize the skill set of our guys on the offensive side of the ball."
*****
Michigan will arrive in Bloomington with a potent offense and defense.
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy completes 78.6 percent of his passes for 846 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions. Running backs Donovan Edwards (6.0 yards per carry, 119 yards), and Blake Corum (611 yards, 10 touchdowns, 6.6 yards per carry) can punish defenses. Six receivers -- Luke Schoonmaker, Cornelius Johnson, A.J. Henning, Andrel Anthony, Ronnie Bell, and Roman Wilson – have big-play potential.
Bell has 19 catches for 269 yards and a touchdown. Schoonmaker has 14 catches for 162 yards and a TD.
They play behind an offensive line that was the Big Ten's best last season.
McCarthy calls the Wolverine offense "dangerous" and talks about being able to run for 200 or 300 yards per game, and throw for 300 or 400.
McCarthy's biggest game this season came against Hawaii with 229 yards.
The Wolverines have scored 51 or more points three times. They average 45.4 points, give up 11.6. They have allowed just 16 points in the first three quarters this season.
Michigan is one of three unbeaten Big Ten teams, all in the East Division. The others are No. 3 Ohio State (5-0) and No. 10 Penn State (5-0).
*****
IU hopes to get more out of receiver Andison Coby. The Tennessee transfer took advantage of the loss of starting receivers D.J. Matthews (injury) and Cam Camper (illness) to catch five passes for 54 yards against Nebraska, with a long of 21.
He entered the game with four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown.
"He's gotten a lot more comfortable," Allen says. "We always felt he has a dimension that we need. We need that explosive play-making ability. He's one of our fastest guys at receiver."
******
The offensive line got a boost against Nebraska with the return of veteran Zach Carpenter, who had missed the previous two games with a hand injury. He was moved from center to tackle. Mike Katic was shifted to center. That gave IU a more veteran group.
"I would say that we played better this past week than we did the week before," Allen says of the offensive line. "We changed some guys around.
"It needs to get better. It's something I want to focus on in recruiting and player development. We're continuing to evaluate that because you know you have to consistently have a group of guys ready to play."
Allen likes what he's seen from young linemen such as Joshua Sales Jr. and Kahlil Benson. With veteran standout Matthew Bedford out with a season-ending knee injury, developing quality depth remains a priority.
"Things happen," Allen says. "Injuries happen. When someone goes down, you've got to have another guy there.
"Josh Sales is going to get more reps. He's young and developing. Kahlil is progressing well and continuing to get better. Every time he plays, he gets better and better, which is big for him, and for us."
While the young offensive linemen show promise, it's rare for them to be able to handle Big Ten play without a couple of years of strength and size gains.
"I do like our young guys," Allen says. "I think we have some really good young O linemen that we're trying to bring along. It's a position that takes two to three years for a guy to really be physically ready.
"But at the same time, we need to get better there."
How much more?
Nothing is sure but this thought as Indiana (3-2) prepares to play No. 4 Michigan (5-0) in Saturday's Homecoming game -- the 5-9, 185-pound true freshman is seldom used, but not forgotten.
"He's a guy we want to, need to, and expect to get him the ball more," head coach Tom Allen says.
Lucas's three carries for 39 yards against Nebraska included a 34-yard bust that highlighted his speed and elusiveness. In an offense needing explosive plays in the worst way, he can make his mark.
And yet, he hadn't carried the ball since the Idaho game, when he had four carries for 16 yards. He'd only caught one pass, and that was for seven yards against Western Kentucky.
Why? The No. 1 reason is pass protection.
"He's obviously a running back," Allen says, "and pass protection is a big deal. It's part of that.
"We don't sub guys a lot. You've got to be able to stay with the personnel grouping that you have in those situations."
Still, Lucas is set to play a bigger role, which includes special teams. He has, after all, returned four kickoffs for 91 yards, including a 38-yard effort against Illinois.
"He'll be returning kicks for us now consistently," Allen says. "And then just trying to get him more touches without question because he obviously showed what he can do with the ball in his hand in (the Nebraska) game.
IU coaches knew what they had when they recruited Lucas. As a Louisiana high school senior, he earned all-state recognition with 1,883 all-purpose yards. He also finished sixth in the 100-meter dash at the Louisiana state track meet. Rivals rated him as the nation's No. 12 all-purpose back.
Fall camp showcased big-play potential, but didn't obscure the pass protection concerns. Like so many freshmen, Lucas has to get bigger and stronger, a process that takes time.
"As we get our guys developed each week," Allen says, "there will be opportunities to maximize the skill set of our guys on the offensive side of the ball."
*****
Michigan will arrive in Bloomington with a potent offense and defense.
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy completes 78.6 percent of his passes for 846 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions. Running backs Donovan Edwards (6.0 yards per carry, 119 yards), and Blake Corum (611 yards, 10 touchdowns, 6.6 yards per carry) can punish defenses. Six receivers -- Luke Schoonmaker, Cornelius Johnson, A.J. Henning, Andrel Anthony, Ronnie Bell, and Roman Wilson – have big-play potential.
Bell has 19 catches for 269 yards and a touchdown. Schoonmaker has 14 catches for 162 yards and a TD.
They play behind an offensive line that was the Big Ten's best last season.
McCarthy calls the Wolverine offense "dangerous" and talks about being able to run for 200 or 300 yards per game, and throw for 300 or 400.
McCarthy's biggest game this season came against Hawaii with 229 yards.
The Wolverines have scored 51 or more points three times. They average 45.4 points, give up 11.6. They have allowed just 16 points in the first three quarters this season.
Michigan is one of three unbeaten Big Ten teams, all in the East Division. The others are No. 3 Ohio State (5-0) and No. 10 Penn State (5-0).
*****
IU hopes to get more out of receiver Andison Coby. The Tennessee transfer took advantage of the loss of starting receivers D.J. Matthews (injury) and Cam Camper (illness) to catch five passes for 54 yards against Nebraska, with a long of 21.
He entered the game with four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown.
"He's gotten a lot more comfortable," Allen says. "We always felt he has a dimension that we need. We need that explosive play-making ability. He's one of our fastest guys at receiver."
******
The offensive line got a boost against Nebraska with the return of veteran Zach Carpenter, who had missed the previous two games with a hand injury. He was moved from center to tackle. Mike Katic was shifted to center. That gave IU a more veteran group.
"I would say that we played better this past week than we did the week before," Allen says of the offensive line. "We changed some guys around.
"It needs to get better. It's something I want to focus on in recruiting and player development. We're continuing to evaluate that because you know you have to consistently have a group of guys ready to play."
Allen likes what he's seen from young linemen such as Joshua Sales Jr. and Kahlil Benson. With veteran standout Matthew Bedford out with a season-ending knee injury, developing quality depth remains a priority.
"Things happen," Allen says. "Injuries happen. When someone goes down, you've got to have another guy there.
"Josh Sales is going to get more reps. He's young and developing. Kahlil is progressing well and continuing to get better. Every time he plays, he gets better and better, which is big for him, and for us."
While the young offensive linemen show promise, it's rare for them to be able to handle Big Ten play without a couple of years of strength and size gains.
"I do like our young guys," Allen says. "I think we have some really good young O linemen that we're trying to bring along. It's a position that takes two to three years for a guy to really be physically ready.
"But at the same time, we need to get better there."
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