Ferrell Anchors Versatile Secondary in Powerhouse Defense
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - A much-needed bye has arrived, bringing Indiana its fourth-ever 5-0 start -- joining the teams of 1910, 1967 and 2024 -- and the approach remains as it always has under head coach Curt Cignetti.
“With Coach Cig,” says defensive back Amare Ferrell, “it’s getting better one day at a time, one play at a time. That’s our biggest focus.”
Ferrell is a leader on a powerhouse defense that leads the Big Ten in total yards given up (221.4 a game) and is second in points allowed (9.6 to Ohio State’s 5.5). The No. 8/9 Hoosiers (2-0 in the Big Ten) will next play at No. 2/2 Oregon (5-0, 2-0) on Oct. 11.
Ferrell says the secondary thrives on versatility.
“You've got a lot of guys that can play a lot of different spots,” he says. “We can move and do a lot of different things with this secondary.”
Ferrell’s three interceptions match Louis Moore’s total for the team lead. D’Angelo Ponds, who missed Saturday’s win at Iowa with an injury, has the other interception. Jamari Sharpe has forced and recovered a fumble.
Having an All-American at cornerback with Ponds, Ferrell says, elevates the entire defense.
“He’s a dog. I don’t have to worry about him. He’s good on his own. He can cover one side of the field by himself. That makes it easier for me.”
“This won’t be the peak of our season. One hundred percent it won’t be.”
Ferrell says Davan Boykin, a North Carolina State transfer, “brings a lot of football IQ. You can tell he’s played a lot of football. He’s always on point.”
As for Moore, who played at IU before spending a season at Ole Miss and then returning, Ferrell adds, “He’s another great player who helps us out a lot.”
Ferrell, who continues to work on being more physical and improving as a communicator and a leader, adds 14 tackles, one for loss and a team-leading four pass breakups. He has seven career interceptions.
Ferrell has helped IU limit opponents to 133.4 passing yards per game, a figure that would be better if not for the busted coverage against Illinois that resulted in a 59-yard Illini TD pass.
Cignetti noticed the miscue, and expected more from Ferrell, Boykin, and Moore.
“We need them to do what they’re supposed to do consistently -- prepare a little better, see what’s going on, make the proper adjustments, communicate quicker, and be where they’re supposed to be,” Cignetti says.
“They are older guys. They’re capable of playing great football, and they have in spurts, but we need more consistency.”
They delivered against Iowa, highlighted by interceptions from Ferrell (his pick led to IU’s first touchdown) and Moore. Ferrell had five tackles. Moore had seven.
Last season, Ferrell went from rover to safety and totaled 49 tackles, five pass breakups, four tackles for loss, four interceptions, and 1.5 sacks while acclimating to defensive coordinator Bryant Haines’ attacking style.
Ferrell said then and says now that, “I just want to help the team win in any way I can.”
Ferrell praises Haines for putting him in the best position to make a lot of plays, and for the way Haines confuses opponents with different looks, coverages, and blitzes.
“We do a lot of things to make sure the offense doesn't know what we are doing. That’s what makes us so good.”
Eighteen games in Haines’ system have Ferrell feeling more comfortable and prepared.
“I know the playbook in and out. I think I'm the guy that keeps the defense calm when we need a check or something. I'm always talking to (linebacker Aiden) Fisher so we're always on the same page on defense.”
The reason for the Hoosiers’ defensive success, Fisher adds, “is being more aggressive, shoot your shots, and take advantage of the opportunities you’re given.”
IU certainly did at Iowa, winning in all phases amid hostile road conditions against a physical Hawkeye team that pushed the Hoosiers to the limit.
The result -- they have started 5-0 in consecutive seasons for the first time in program history.
“We've got a lot of new guys,” Cignetti says. “We've got a lot of good guys. There’s a lot of the right stuff on this team. We were tested really hard, and we found a way to push through it.”
That IU beat Iowa by winning the fourth quarter, highlighted by quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s game-deciding touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt, center Pat Coogan says, was no accident.
“This is why we train so hard. This is what we play for -- fourth quarters in these environments. That’s why we do it. That’s what we do it for.”
The Hoosiers get an extra week to prepare for Oregon, which is coming off a double-overtime victory at then No. 2 Penn State. It has won 23-straight regular-season games.
The Ducks average 46.6 points and allow 12.2. Quarterback Dante Moore completes 74.6 percent of his passes for 1,210 yard, 14 touchdowns, and one interception.
For comparison, Mendoza completes 73.0 percent of his passes for 1,208 yards, 16 touchdowns, and one interception.
Like IU, Oregon rotates its running backs. Dierre Hill Jr. has 270 rushing yards while averaging 10.7 yards per carry. Jayden Limar has 232 yards. Noah Whittington has 184.
Beating Iowa, Coogan adds, won’t define the Hoosiers. Not with so much more left to accomplish.
“This won’t be the peak of our season. One hundred percent it won’t be.”