Hoosiers fend off intimidation after last year’s defeat

Co-Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach Rod Smith sees a common number threading through Saturday’s matchup against Wisconsin.

“They’re in the top 10 in defense, top 10 in offense and they’re a top 10 team,” Smith said. “I think they’re giving up 10 points a game on the defensive side. We’ve been lucky to score 10 points the last couple weeks. It’ll be a dogfight for us.”

Forgive the IU players if two other numbers remain in their minds, though: 83 and 20.
Last season, the Hoosiers traveled to Madison and left with a 63-point loss, allowing at least 21 points in each of the final three quarters.

“For me personally, last year was a horrible feeling,” junior center Will Matte said. “It was just awful, so it’s a little bit personal for me. I know it is for a lot of other guys. That one’s going to stick with you the rest of your life.

“This is a chance to turn that around and at least somewhat lessen the pain of last year.”

On paper, IU appears to be overmatched once again. Entering Madison at 4-5 last season, IU is 1-5 this year.

Wisconsin stands at 5-0 with a No. 4 national ranking. Wisconsin has taken the last six games between the teams.

“We try to let our guys know ‘they tie their shoes, they put their pants on just like you do,’” Smith said. “They’ve won more games than we have so we’ve got to match their intensity, and we’ve got to match their confidence. You know they’re going to be a confident team. We’ve got to match that.”

The IU team facing Wisconsin on Saturday is different from the team that was blown out last season. Two-year starter Ben Chappell is gone at quarterback, resulting in a platoon between several players.

Sophomore quarterback Edward Wright-Baker is expected to start for IU after he returned from injury and fellow sophomore Dusty Kiel was sidelined for several weeks with an ankle injury.

Wisconsin has a new quarterback, as well, but without the instability that IU’s change brought. Russell Wilson, a three-year starter at North Carolina State, transferred during the offseason to play his final collegiate season for the Badgers.

This season, Wilson has thrown for 1,391 yards and 13 touchdowns.

IU Coach Kevin Wilson said he believes Russell Wilson has benefitted from the lack of pressure on him in Wisconsin’s run-based offense as opposed to the one-back system he was in at North Carolina State.

“When he’s throwing the ball, he’s throwing out there one-on-one,” Kevin Wilson said. “Great run game, great line.

“He’s become a quality, big-time leader for them and I think that’s probably why they’re off to such a great offensive start.”

Russell Wilson has contributed to the run game, as well, with 140 yards rushing and two scores, making him a multi-faceted weapon in Kevin Wilson’s eyes.

“I don’t think you call him a running quarterback, but he makes great plays on the run,” Kevin Wilson said. “Very accurate throws, very calm. He’s a solid player on a really, really great offense.”

Despite the presence of players such as Russell Wilson and linebacker Mike Taylor, Matte said the team is not intimidated by its highly-ranked foe.

“They wake up. They practice. They go to class like we do,” Matte said. “It’s not like they’re gods. They’re a solid team, and we’re just working hard this week.”