IU's Offensive Key -- Go Fast
10/6/2022 10:04:00 AM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Speed is the answer. Connor Bazelak believes that, just as he believes in Indiana's offensive possibilities, recent struggles be darned.
If the Hoosiers return to their go-fast nature, which Bazelak says they got away from during last Saturday's loss at Nebraska, they can have success.
And if they do that, it could be a path to victory moving forward.
"We got away from what we had been doing," Bazelak says. "It's just pace. We played pretty slow. We need to get back to being basic and do what we do well."
What's that?
"It's going fast, and not letting the defense get lined up."
IU under offensive coordinator Walt Bell calls this "space-pace-race."
"That's our DNA," Bazelak says. "We have to get back to that. If we all believe that, it comes down to executing. If we can do that, we'll be one of the best offenses in the Big Ten."
Having all available weapons, as IU didn't have at Nebraska, will help. The hope is leading receivers Cam Camper (33 catches, 418 yards, one touchdown) and D.J. Matthews Jr. (17, 198, two) will be back and ready to test a Michigan defense that allows just 157.8 passing yards and 11.6 points a game.
Regardless of their status, the Hoosiers will still need strong games from receivers Emery Simmons, Donaven McCulley, Javon Swinton, Andison Coby and Malachi Holt-Bennett. Growing the chemistry between them and Bazelak is crucial.
"It comes with reps and practice and games," Bazelak says. "They haven't caught a ton of passes in games."
Bell is well versed in developing guys to step up when key players are hurt or unavailable. He's done it at multiple programs, most dramatically at Maryland with a series of quarterback injuries.
"We had to play four quarterbacks the first year, and five the second year," Bell says. "When you play big-time football, it's something you expect, that there would be a revolving door in terms of who's available, who's not available.
"Our job is to make sure we have the best group of 11 on the field, and put them in position to make plays. It's a job every coach in the country has to deal with."
With different receivers come different strengths. A priority for Bazelak is knowing where receivers like to catch balls.
"A guy like Donaven likes it high where he can box out a defender and go up and get it," he says. "Some guys like it more in front so they can run to it and use their speed. You have to figure it out."
Coby, a Tennessee transfer, showed potential against Nebraska with five catches for 54 yards, with a long of 21 yards. He's bounced back from some dropped passes in the season-opening win over Illinois.
"He's grown a bunch," Bazelak says. "He started with those couple of drops, but he's a tough guy. A great teammate. He works his butt off. He has made some great plays for us. He has to continue to do that on the outside."
Adds Bell: "Andison has done a nice job. He has continued to develop with his technique, system knowledge, and awareness. He's had a couple of big catches. His role will grow as the season goes on."
Bell also wants to get more touches for McCulley, the former quarterback who can thrive out of the Wildcat as well as receiver.
"He has played quarterback," Bell says. "He's a physical runner. He's an unbelievable ball-and-hand player."
One goal is to improve Bazelak's 52.8-percent completion percentage.
"There's no substitute for easy completions," Bell says. "We'll continue to try to manufacture easy throws. Screens are a way to do that.
"The last couple of games, we're seeing more man coverage to make us make more competitive throws. We have to find ways to make easy completions and protect Connor, as well."
The screen pass remains a big part of the game plan.
"It's always there," Bell says. "You want to get those guys touches in space to alleviate pass rush. You can manufacture touches that way. Put the right guys in the right place. The O-line has done a nice job with that throughout the year. It's something we want to continue to be good at."
Screens are a good way to use elusive freshman running back Jaylin Lucas. He showed his potential with a 34-yard catch and run against Nebraska. However, his vulnerability in pass protection -- plus having veterans Shaun Shivers and Josh Henderson ahead of him in the rotation -- has limited his use.
Still, IU coaches plan on playing him more.
"We are all aware he's a good player," Bell says. "There's a little bit of a growth curve from a pass-protection standpoint. As he continues to grow and develop, he will definitely become a larger piece of what we do given what we've seen in practice.
"That's a little bit of what we witnessed on Saturday. He's hard to get on the ground. He will be a great space-touch player. While those other skills are developing, such as run between tackles, pass protection, things a young player has to learn, we will feature some of those other skills."
If the Hoosiers return to their go-fast nature, which Bazelak says they got away from during last Saturday's loss at Nebraska, they can have success.
And if they do that, it could be a path to victory moving forward.
"We got away from what we had been doing," Bazelak says. "It's just pace. We played pretty slow. We need to get back to being basic and do what we do well."
What's that?
"It's going fast, and not letting the defense get lined up."
IU under offensive coordinator Walt Bell calls this "space-pace-race."
"That's our DNA," Bazelak says. "We have to get back to that. If we all believe that, it comes down to executing. If we can do that, we'll be one of the best offenses in the Big Ten."
Having all available weapons, as IU didn't have at Nebraska, will help. The hope is leading receivers Cam Camper (33 catches, 418 yards, one touchdown) and D.J. Matthews Jr. (17, 198, two) will be back and ready to test a Michigan defense that allows just 157.8 passing yards and 11.6 points a game.
Regardless of their status, the Hoosiers will still need strong games from receivers Emery Simmons, Donaven McCulley, Javon Swinton, Andison Coby and Malachi Holt-Bennett. Growing the chemistry between them and Bazelak is crucial.
"It comes with reps and practice and games," Bazelak says. "They haven't caught a ton of passes in games."
Bell is well versed in developing guys to step up when key players are hurt or unavailable. He's done it at multiple programs, most dramatically at Maryland with a series of quarterback injuries.
"We had to play four quarterbacks the first year, and five the second year," Bell says. "When you play big-time football, it's something you expect, that there would be a revolving door in terms of who's available, who's not available.
"Our job is to make sure we have the best group of 11 on the field, and put them in position to make plays. It's a job every coach in the country has to deal with."
With different receivers come different strengths. A priority for Bazelak is knowing where receivers like to catch balls.
"A guy like Donaven likes it high where he can box out a defender and go up and get it," he says. "Some guys like it more in front so they can run to it and use their speed. You have to figure it out."
Coby, a Tennessee transfer, showed potential against Nebraska with five catches for 54 yards, with a long of 21 yards. He's bounced back from some dropped passes in the season-opening win over Illinois.
"He's grown a bunch," Bazelak says. "He started with those couple of drops, but he's a tough guy. A great teammate. He works his butt off. He has made some great plays for us. He has to continue to do that on the outside."
Adds Bell: "Andison has done a nice job. He has continued to develop with his technique, system knowledge, and awareness. He's had a couple of big catches. His role will grow as the season goes on."
Bell also wants to get more touches for McCulley, the former quarterback who can thrive out of the Wildcat as well as receiver.
"He has played quarterback," Bell says. "He's a physical runner. He's an unbelievable ball-and-hand player."
One goal is to improve Bazelak's 52.8-percent completion percentage.
"There's no substitute for easy completions," Bell says. "We'll continue to try to manufacture easy throws. Screens are a way to do that.
"The last couple of games, we're seeing more man coverage to make us make more competitive throws. We have to find ways to make easy completions and protect Connor, as well."
The screen pass remains a big part of the game plan.
"It's always there," Bell says. "You want to get those guys touches in space to alleviate pass rush. You can manufacture touches that way. Put the right guys in the right place. The O-line has done a nice job with that throughout the year. It's something we want to continue to be good at."
Screens are a good way to use elusive freshman running back Jaylin Lucas. He showed his potential with a 34-yard catch and run against Nebraska. However, his vulnerability in pass protection -- plus having veterans Shaun Shivers and Josh Henderson ahead of him in the rotation -- has limited his use.
Still, IU coaches plan on playing him more.
"We are all aware he's a good player," Bell says. "There's a little bit of a growth curve from a pass-protection standpoint. As he continues to grow and develop, he will definitely become a larger piece of what we do given what we've seen in practice.
"That's a little bit of what we witnessed on Saturday. He's hard to get on the ground. He will be a great space-touch player. While those other skills are developing, such as run between tackles, pass protection, things a young player has to learn, we will feature some of those other skills."
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