The Sports Xchange
NCAAF Team Report – Indiana – INSIDE SLANT
The Hoosiers finally got the one they were looking for.
Indiana’s defense overcame an uncharacteristically lackluster day by the Hoosier offense to give IU a 31-17 victory at Illinois. The win finally gives head coach Kevin Wilson his first conference win as Indiana’s head man and provides the Hoosiers with the victory that has eluded their grasp in recent weeks.
Four weeks ago IU dropped a four-point decision to Michigan State. The next week Indiana came three points short of beating Ohio State. Next up was Navy, which eked out a one-point win over the Hoosiers. But IU kept battling, kept believing that it was ready to score a breakthrough win.
And it did just that. More importantly, the Hoosiers not only get a confidence-boosting reward for all the hard work, but they get the experience of pulling out a game in which they didn’t play their best.
Indiana was outgained overall 372-292, it gave up 196 yards rushing– including 124 yards to Illinois RB Donovonn Young — and Indiana converted just 1-of-13 third downs on offense. The difference, however, was IU’s defense. The Hoosiers finally strung together some solid defensive series, holding Illinois to just three points after halftime and forcing four punts in the final 30 minutes.
The offensive struggles of the Fighting Illini certainly played a role, but the Hoosiers needed to enjoy some success on the field, and the win will go a long way toward helping the program.
It’s a fact Wilson readily admitted.
“We played hard,” Wilson said. “I don’t think we played particularly well. ? It was a good effort, and it was good to see guys come back and keep fighting. It was good to get one on the road. We have a lot of work to keep coming. The way our year has been going and the way our kids keep fighting for us, it was good to get on the right side of the ledger.”
One of the reasons the Hoosiers have continued to battle when other teams might have folded is the fact the coaching staff has sold its players on the idea that it still has plenty of goals to reach. For instance, should Indiana score a few more wins down the stretch, not only could IU reach bowl eligibility, but the Hoosiers could actually still play in the Big Ten Championship game.
One win won’t get anyone too excited at this point in the season, but the players are dreaming big. A win over a stumbling Iowa squad would provide another huge boost and set up a big game with Wisconsin. IU played Ohio State and Michigan State tough earlier this season, and the Hoosiers wouldn’t be intimidated by the Badgers. Should Indiana upset Wisconsin, IU would have the inside track on playing in the title game and would control its own destiny with Penn State and an imploding Purdue still on the schedule.
For the time being, however, the Hoosiers are simply focused on enjoying the much-sought-after win and moving on to Iowa. The first step for Indiana was to win a game in conference. With that win under their belt, the Hoosiers could be looking at a much brighter future.
———————————————–
NCAAF Team Report – Indiana – NOTES, QUOTES
WHAT’S AHEAD: Iowa comes to town as the Hoosiers return home for their first game in Bloomington in three weeks. The Hawkeyes have struggled offensively and have dropped two straight games, and earlier losses to Iowa State and Central Michigan makes Iowa vulnerable to a fired-up Hoosier squad that is looking for some respect.
–Indiana has scored 24 or more points in eight straight games to open a season for the first time in school history, and the streak is nine games dating back to the final outing of the 2011 campaign.
–IU recorded seven sacks at Illinois, the most for the Hoosiers since posting seven against Central Michigan Nov. 1, 2008.
–The Hoosiers’ win over Illinois was their first Big Ten win since the Old Oaken Bucket game in 2010, which also was IU’s last road win in conference play.
KEEP AN EYE ON: QB Nate Sudfeld has been solid when he has had the opportunity to play this season, nearly leading the Hoosiers to comeback wins against Ball State and Ohio State. In both of those outings Sudfeld came into the game later in the ballgame, but in his first extended action of the season, Sudfeld brought the Hoosiers a spark. He completed a 48-yard pass to WR Cody Latimer and showed nice touch on an incompletion to Kofi Hughes, a pass that was only broken up thanks to a nice play from an Illinois defender. Sudfeld still has to work on his decision making, but he certainly proved himself a quality option as a possible starter going forward.
LOOKING GOOD: IU’s defense made its presence felt at Illinois, posting seven sacks and recording 12 tackles-for-loss. The Hoosiers allowed themselves to get gashed a bit on the ground when the Fighting Illini ran their read-option attack, but IU managed to be disruptive enough in the backfield to force Illinois into a number of third-and-long situations. Indiana also did not allow a play longer than 28 yards, the second straight week in which the Hoosiers did not give up a big play.
STILL NEEDS WORK: Indiana’s offense sputtered, especially on third down. The Hoosiers converted just 1-of-13 third-down opportunities, and the team’s inability to consistently pick up yardage on first and second down was an issue. IU’s offensive line didn’t enjoy its best day, either, although the Hoosiers didn’t suffer any complete breakdowns. PK Mitch Ewald also needs to find some consistency. One of his kickoffs in the third quarter went out of bounds, continuing what has become a disturbing trend for Ewald.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “They both have to get better, and we have to keep pushing them to get better.” — Head coach Kevin Wilson on the play of QBs Cam Coffman and Nate Sudfeld, who both saw action against Illinois.
———————————————–
NCAAF Team Report – Indiana – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
PLAYER NOTES:
–RB Stephen Houston scored three TDs (two rushing, one receiving) to post his fourth career multi-TD game. He has scored in nine-straight games and has 20 career touchdowns.
–LB David Cooper made three tackles for loss to become the first Hoosier to turn that trick since Jammie Kirlew did it in 2009.
–DT Adam Replogle moved into a tie for 10th place on IU’s all-time sack list with his 14th career sack. He has four on the season.
ROSTER REPORT
–LB Jacarri Alexander missed his second straight game with a nerve problem in his neck/shoulder area.
–Indiana picked up a pair of commitments in recent days, with Florida LB Clyde Newton and Georgia athlete Rashard Fant both giving head coach Kevin Wilson a verbal commitment this week.
==
———————————————–
