Beware the Run – Hoosiers Rushing to Success
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - When it comes to Indiana, beware the run.
The No. 22/19 Hoosiers (2-0) are cranking up their multi-threat ground attack with a pair of 300-yard rushing efforts to lead the Big Ten with 622 yards, 15 more than second-place Washington.
That could mean big trouble for Indiana State (2-0) Friday night at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium.
“I think the last two weeks we've been able to show a little bit of a glimpse of what we're able to do if we keep attacking the weight room and stacking days,” running back Roman Hemby says. “We’re trending in the right direction.”
Hemby is one of three Hoosier running backs listed among the conference’s top 13 -- he’s No. 8 with 175 yards and a 5.5-yard-per-carry average. Lee Beebe Jr. is No. 10 with 163 yards and a 7.7-yard-per-carry average. Kaelon Black is 13th with 149 yards and a 5.5 average.
The key, Hemby says, is “trusting the offensive line.”
“Look at the holes they’re opening up,” he says. “You can see they make our job easy. They’re doing a good job.”
Veterans Pat Coogan, Carter Smith, Drew Evans, and Bray Lynch have played to their high expectations.
“(Offensive line coach) Bob Bostad is putting them in great positions to help us,” Hemby says. “We’re clicking on all cylinders now, so we have to keep it up, keep striving to be great because we know it will only get tougher.”
For historical perspective, Indiana's 313 yards rushing against Kennesaw State was the third time in 15 games it has surpassed 300 rushing yards under head coach Curt Cignetti. It was also the first time that the Hoosiers have had consecutive 300-plus-yard rushing games since 2014, with they had 363 against North Texas and 316 at Iowa.
In 2016, IU ran for a program-record 411 yards against Maryland.
Receiver Elijah Sarratt is a big run-the-ball fan.
“That makes my life a lot easier,” he says. “If our run game is on, (the defense will) have to stack the box and that will leave me and other receivers with one-on-one opportunities, which we want.
“Shout out to our running backs. They’re doing their thing. I want to be able to continue to block for them so they can continue to have that success.”
Tight end Riley Nowakowski’s blocking has also played a big role in that success.
“It’s the effort he puts in and the way he puts his body on the line,” Sarratt says. “You look at yourself with your blocking and go, ‘Man, what am I doing? Am I giving that effort every play?’
“When I catch the ball, I see him busting his butt looking for someone to block every play. We pride ourselves in the receiver room to do the same thing.”
Hemby is just as impressed with Nowakowski.
“He shows up a lot,” he says. “Coach said he was the unsung hero (against Kennesaw State). He’s that way in the locker room, as well.
“He doesn’t say much, but he’s well respected by everybody. He comes to work every day. You get the same Riley every day. He blocks guys 10 yards down the field. When he gets the ball, he’s making a big impact. He makes his presence felt.”
The Hoosiers also credit the running success to offensive quality control’s Justice Ellison, who led IU in rushing last season with 848 yards, plus added 10 touchdowns, before transitioning into coaching. Ellison works closely with running backs coach John Miller to maximize the production.
“To be able to hear what he says, the way he works with us, is great,” Hemby says. “He was in our shoes last year. He has a lot of experience at the running back position. He has his tools and nuggets.
“He and Coach Miller do a great job to make sure we’re prepared week in and week out. They challenge us. He challenges us. He makes sure we have things to work on every day. You’re either getting better or worse. He puts us in position to do better.”
Beyond the running success, the Hoosiers are nationally ranked in the season’s first three polls for only the fourth time in their history, joining the teams from 1944, ’45 and ’68. They’ve also been ranked for 15 straight weeks, the most in program history.
IU is 6-5 in its previous Friday night games.
As for Indiana State, the Sycamores are 2-0 for the first time since 1986. They are 0-7 against the Hoosiers in a series that started in 1925.
The short practice week, Sarratt says, has the Hoosiers focused on their own improvement. They had a big jump from Week 1 to Week 2 and seek similar results on Friday night.
“It’s all about us,” Sarratt says. “We have to handle our business every day. Try to execute and continue to get better.”