Postgame Notes: vs. Illinois

BLOOMINGTON, IN - SEPTEMBER 02, 2022 - wide receiver Cam Camper #6 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. Photo By Gracie Farrall/Indiana Athletics

9/2/2022 11:30:00 PM | Football

Postgame Notes
Illinois at Indiana
September 2, 2022

TEAM
• Indiana improves to 83-45-7 in season openers in program history, including a 16-3 record over the last 19 seasons and 4-2 under head coach Tom Allen.

• Indiana opened the season with a Big Ten game for the third straight season (at Iowa, 2021; Penn State, 2020) and the fourth time in Allen's six years as head coach (Ohio State, 2017).

• The Hoosiers opened the season against Illinois for the fifth time in program history and first since 1974. The Hoosiers opened the season at home against Illinois for the third time in program history, with the other two meetings coming in 1959 and 1973.

• Indiana is 2-3 all-time against Illinois in season-opening games.

• Though this marks the first meeting since 2017, Indiana has won four straight games over the Illini dating back to 2012.

• Indiana's captains were AJ Barner, Cam Jones, Devon Matthews, Tiawan Mullen and Jack Tuttle.

• Illinois won the coin toss and elected to receive.

??• Four true freshmen made their collegiate debut for Indiana: Omar Cooper Jr., Nick James, Jaylin Lucas and Dasan McCullough.

• On the night, 15 transfer student-athletes made their Indiana debut: Connor Bazelak, Cam Camper, Jared Casey, Andison Coby, LeDarrius Cox, Parker Hanna, Josh Henderson, Myles Jackson, Bradley Jennings Jr., Brylan Lanier, Patrick Lucas Jr., Louis Moore, Shaun Shivers, Emery Simmons and JH Tevis.

• Two Hoosiers made their collegiate debuts: Kahlil Benson and James Bomba.

• Indiana's defense forced multiple takeaways in a game for the 26th time under head coach Tom Allen.

• IU's defense forced four takeaways (1 interception, 3 fumble recoveries), its most since Michigan State (3 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery) in 2020, and for the fifth time in Allen's tenure.

• Tonight marked Indiana's first game with two 100-yard receivers (DJ Matthews Jr.; 109 and Cam Camper; 156) since October 6th, 2018 against Ohio State (Nick Westbrook; 109 and J-Shun Harris; 104).

Student-Athlete Notes
Connor Bazelak | QB | Jr.-R
• Made first career start for Indiana and 21st of his career.
• Passed for 330 yards including a 52-yard touchdown to D.J. Matthews Jr.
• Led 12-play, 75-yard drive in the 4th quarter to set up the game-winning touchdown.
• Posted his 7th-career 300-yard passing game, his first with the Hoosiers.
• First IU quarterback to pass for 300 yards in his debut since Antwaan Randle El threw for 385 against Western Michigan on Sept. 12, 1998.

Matthew Bedford | OL | Sr.
• Made 28th career start to rank No. 2 on the team. It was his ninth start at right tackle.

Alfred Bryant | OLB | Sr.-R+
• Forced third career fumble in the first quarter. Last forced fumble came at Nebraska on Oct. 26, 2019.
• Matched his career high of six tackles, which occurred at Nebraska in 2019.

Charles Campbell | K | Sr.-R
• Is now 28-of-34 on career field goal attempts after going 3-for-3 in the game.
• Produced his fourth career game with at least three field goals: Michigan State (3-for-4; 2021), at Western Kentucky (4-for-4; 2021) and at Rutgers (3-for-3; 2020).

Cam Camper | WR | Jr.
• Posted first career 100-yard receiving game with 156 yards on 11 catches.
• First Hoosier with double-digit receptions since Ty Fryfolge (10) at Western Kentucky on Sept. 25, 2021.

Omar Cooper Jr. | WR | Fr.
• Returned his first career kickoff.

Demarcus Elliott | DL | Sr.+
• Made his team-best 30th career start.

Bryant Fitzgerald | DB | Sr.-R+
• Made his 24th career start, which ranks tied for No. 3 on the team (Devon Matthews).

Nick James | DT | Fr.
• Made two tackles in his collegiate debut.

Bradley Jennings Jr. | LB | Sr.-R+
• Collected fourth career sack and first of his Hoosier career in the second quarter.
• Totaled six tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss

Cam Jones | LB | Sr.+
• Posted a career-high 12 tackles. Had eight stops twice before, last against Minnesota (2021).
• Moved career total to 7.0 sacks with a first-quarter takedown of Tommy DeVito.
• Recovered a first-quarter fumble for his third career fumble recovery and first since the 2021 season opener at Iowa.

Brylan Lanier | DB | Fr.-R
• Made collegiate debut after redshirting his first collegiate season at Alabama.
• Posted four tackles.

D.J. Matthews Jr. | WR | Gr.+
• Brought in his sixth career receiving touchdown and the first of his Indiana career with his 52-yard scoring play in the second quarter.
• Logged third 100-yard receiving game - second as a Hoosier - with 109 yards on seven catches.

Devon Matthews | DB | Sr.+
• Made his 24th career start, which ranks tied for No. 3 on the team (Bryant Fitzgerald).

Donaven McCulley | WR | So.
• Made first career reception for a 1-yard gain in the third quarter.

Dasan McCullough | LB | Fr.
• Posted six tackles in his collegiate debut.

Noah Pierre | DB | Sr.-R
• Forced and recovered a fumble in the third quarter, both are the first of his career.
• Racked up seven tackles in the season opener.

Beau Robbins | DB | Jr.-R
• Posted his first career sack on the final drive of the game.
• Tallied two total tackles.

Josh Sanguinetti | DB | Jr.-R
• Grabbed second career interception in the fourth quarter. Also had an interception against Michigan State in 2021.
• Set a career high with six tackles.

Shaun Shivers | RB | Sr.+
• Scored the game-winning 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, the ninth of his career and first as a Hoosier.

Jaylin Williams | DB | Sr.+
• Recovered first career fumble on the final play of the game to seal the win.