Get Physical – IU Expects Bruising Game at Nebraska
By Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Veteran linebacker Rolijah Hardy is well aware of the challenge No. 7/5 Indiana (5-0 overall, 2-0 in the Big Ten) will face Saturday at Nebraska (5-0, 2-0).
He can’t wait.
“They’re very physical,” Hardy says. “It’s going to be a very physical game. We have a defense that looks for that. We’re going to have to be physical at all positions up front and in the back end.”
The Cornhuskers have plenty of offensive threats, which is what you’d expect from a unit that averages 43.6 points and 475.6 yards per game.
Running backs Jamal Rule (333 yards, 7.9 yards-per-carry average, five touchdowns) and Mekhi Nelson (266, 4.8, four) highlight a rushing attack that averages 231.0 yards a game.
Seven receivers have caught at least six passes and eight have at least 63 receiving yards. Kwazi Gilmer leads with 29 catches for 387 yards and six touchdowns.
Directing it all is veteran quarterback Anthony Colandrea, who thrives on risk taking and unpredictability. He hurts defenses with his legs as well as his arm.
It’s worked this season, and for his entire college career, first at Virginia, then UNLV, and now Nebraska. This season Colandrea completes 65.7 percent of his passes for 1,142 yards, 13 touchdowns, and two interceptions. He’s also rushed for 249 yards and two TDs.
“He’s a very mobile quarterback and very athletic,” Hardy says. “He’s one of their leading rushers. Containing him is going to be a big thing.
“It’s definitely a different role with a quarterback who is mobile like that. It’s about caging him in that pocket. Being able to take away his reads and then get after him after it’s been taken away.”
IU also faced a mobile quarterback with Northwestern’s Aidan Chiles, who made a series of big plays with his legs and his arm in a 29-23 Hoosier victory.
“You put in different game plans to stop guys like that,” Hardy says. “Our coaches do a really good job to set us up for success.”
Adding a third linebacker, as the Hoosiers have often done this season, helps.
“That will always help stop the run,” Hardy says. “Last year, we did that pretty well. This year, we’re doing different things to cage the run.”
IU has its own impressive offense, which averages 44.2 points and 490.6 total yards. Quarterback Josh Hoover completes 71.0 percent of his passes for 1,101 yards, 15 touchdowns, and zero interceptions.
The Hoosiers have two of the Big Ten’s best running backs in Turbo Richard (a conference-leading 587 yards, 9.3 yards-per-carry average, five touchdowns) and Lee Beebe Jr. (520, 5.8, four), and two of its best receivers in Charlie Becker (27 catches, 477 yards, eight touchdowns) and Nick Marsh (23, 341, four).
Then there’s second-year receiver Davion Chandler, who has four touchdowns among his eight receptions.
“He’s made plays for us,” head coach Curt Cignetti says of Chandler. “He's a playmaker. We try to put him in position to make plays, and he keeps getting better. I think every week is more consistent. It's all about consistency. And, I think his blocking has improved as well.”
IU’s rushing attack is peaking the last two weeks with 329 rushing yards against Rutgers and 271 against Northwestern.
“That's the goal; that's the standard here,” offensive lineman Joe Brunner says. “You want to be able to run the ball.
“We have incredible running backs who run their tails off every week. We credit them for doing a spectacular job. For us linemen, it's about putting our heads down and working.
“There are still things we can improve, but it's exciting. We know what we're capable of. Just continue to grow each week with that. It will be fun to see.”
Fun includes exceptional execution and minimal mistakes. IU is tied for the national lead with just one turnover, a fumble. Nebraska only has two turnovers, both interceptions. The Hoosiers rank among the nation’s best in fewest penalties. They’ve only committed 17 all season, none against Rutgers.
It’s all among the reasons why Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule says the Hoosiers have a “great system, great scheme, great process, great defense. I think they’re the most efficient offense in the country.”