IU continues 2-quarterback system

IU football’s (4-5, 2-3) 24-21 victory against Iowa (4-5, 2-3) gave the team its second straight Big Ten win of the season.

The last time the Hoosiers won two straight Big Ten games was in 2007, and one of those wins came against Iowa.

Ever since sophomore quarterback Tre Roberson’s injury during the game against Massachusetts, IU Coach Kevin Wilson has played sophomore Cameron Coffman and freshman Nate Sudfeld interchangeably at the position.

“They are both getting equal reps,” Wilson said. “They are both our number one. I’m glad we have them both.”

In the last game against Illinois, Coffman started and threw seven passes before being replaced by Sudfeld with 2:09 remaining in the first quarter.

After Sudfeld took the reins at quarterback, Coffman didn’t get another snap, and Sudfeld aided the Hoosier team in its first Big Ten win.  

This game, Coffman started for the Hoosiers as he had in the previous six games.
On IU’s first drive of the game, Coffman and the offense totaled seven plays for 25 yards and no score.

Wilson decided to make the switch and brought in Sudfeld.

Sudfeld and the offense were only able to score three points in the next five drives.
With 2:13 left in the second quarter, Coffman came back into the game and scored in his first drive back off a 15-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Cody Latimer.

“Cam did a great job of overcoming adversity,” Latimer said. “Coach pulled him, but then he came back in and just made great plays.”

The Hoosiers went into halftime down 14-10.

After a three-and-out on IU’s first drive of the second half, Coffman and the offense marched down the field on their next possession for 80 yards and another touchdown score.  

The drive was aided by a 77-yard catch by junior wide receiver Kofi Hughes on the third play of the possession.

“I’m just trying to make plays, trying to help the team out,” Coffman said. “Obviously sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t.”

In the Hawkeyes’ first drive of the fourth quarter, the team scored on a 4-yard touchdown run from sophomore running back Damon Bullock and regained the lead, 21-17.

On the next possession, the Hoosiers responded with a four-play drive and scored again off Latimer.

“Cody had been hot making plays for us like he always does,” Coffman said. “Safety was low, so we just threw it over the top, and Cody made a good catch.”

The IU defense didn’t allow another point on Iowa’s last three drives.

Coffman finished the game with 315 passing yards, and all three of his touchdowns were to Latimer.

Before the game, Latimer had two receiving touchdowns on the year.

Other receivers made contributions for the offense.

Hughes accumulated 110 receiving yards on six catches, and junior tight end Ted Bolser totaled 82 yards off six catches.

IU players and coaches are satisfied with the win, but the team looks forward to this week’s crucial Leaders Division game against Wisconsin at Memorial Stadium.

“It’s very encouraging, but we’ve just go to get through Wisconsin and get this win,” Latimer said. “That is the first thing that we’re worried about right now.”