Staying In the Moment Boosts Horton, Indiana Offense
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Zach Horton doesn’t wow with numbers or jaw-dropping plays, although Indiana’s senior tight end does if you look deep enough, if you focus on impact rather than spectacle.
Horton makes catches he should make and, at times, catches he shouldn’t. His eight receptions for 85 yards this season include a touchdown and an 18-yard effort against Maryland that put IU at the 1-yard line and set up its first touchdown.
Horton also nails blocks that help clear the way for running backs such as Justice Ellison (341 yards, five touchdowns), Ty Son Lawton (277 yards, six TDs), Elijah Green (157, four) and Kaelon Black (130, one), as well as help keep quarterback Kurtis Rourke (73.2 completion percentage, 1,372 yards, 11 touchdowns) positioned to make big plays.
This is why Hoosier head coach Curt Cignetti, when talking about Horton, says that, “It’s not all about his touches. He does a lot of great things for us offensively.”
It’s also why Maryland head coach Mike Locksley says Horton “is the glue for them on offense.”
“This is a guy who is really talented in the run game. You get enamored in catches and production there, but as a coach, when you look at things on offense, he’s the heart and soul of it. His style of play is what you like.”
That heart and soul will be displayed Saturday afternoon when Indiana (5-0 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) plays at Northwestern (2-2, 0-1).
Let others seek pass-catching glory. Horton enjoys his run-blocking responsibilities.
“I take a lot of pride in it,” he says. “It’s more of a mind-set thing. It’s fun to see you spring a block before a touchdown. Sometimes, it feels better than catching a football.”
Still, Horton likes his receiving opportunities. Flash back to that 18-yard catch against Maryland, his longest of the season and his only one of the game. He calls Rourke’s throw perhaps his best of the season.
“There are a lot of (Rourke) throws that are impressive, but that one to me, it might have looked like a bad ball, but he did it to let me catch it. It was a spot-on ball to catch.”
Rourke, Horton adds, wasn’t bothered by throwing his first two interceptions of the season early against the Terrapins.
“With him, you can’t tell if he throws two interceptions or five touchdowns. He’s calm and talking to the team. He learns from his mistakes.”
Horton has learned from his miscues. He earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors last season at James Madison with six touchdowns among his 27 catches for 275 yards. That included a three-catch, two-touchdown, 116-yard effort against South Alabama.
That followed a standout Virginia career at Lord Botetourt and Northview high schools highlighted by a state runner-up finish as a senior. He thrived as a defensive end as well as a tight end, and got college offers at both positions.
Horton says James Madison coaches asked which position he preferred. He said tight end.
“We went from there, but some days I do wish I played defense,” he says with a smile. “Actually, I’m glad I picked offense.”
IU has scored 42 or more points in four-straight games for the first time since 2015. Its 48.8-point scoring average ties it with Ohio State for the Big Ten’s most explosive attack. Ask Horton where the offense has improved the most and he says it starts with the deep and talented receiving group.
“I find our wide receivers really pay attention to details. That's one thing I noticed.”
No receiver pays more attention than Elijah Sarratt, who leads the Hoosiers with 22 catches for 378 yards.
“He's just a hard worker, a really hard worker,” Horton says. “He's constantly working in practice; he always brings the energy to practice. I've noticed that since we played together at James Madison. It's nice to have him on our team rather than go against him.”
Beyond that, Horton says, “I would say most of the offense pays attention to detail and learns from its mistakes.”
A selfless mindset, Horton adds, has helped IU make the top-25 in both major polls -- No. 23 in the Associated Press poll, No. 24 in the coaches’ poll.
“You never know what names are going to be called. That's one thing the coaches really preach. Everybody is going to have an opportunity to play. You've just got to really focus on what's coming up.”
And then enjoy it, he says.
“Try to stay in the moment. Don’t think about what’s coming ahead or what was behind. Be present and enjoy what you’ve been given. Not many people get the opportunity we have. It’s fun to think about the situation we’re in.”
That situation on Saturday will include playing in a temporary stadium as Northwestern upgrades its main facility. Because it’s right next to Lake Michigan, the Hoosiers expect plenty of wind.
“That might be a little factor,” Horton says, “but both teams are in the same environment. That doesn’t mean much to us. Playing in the rain last week will help.”