Hoosier offense ‘lethargic’ against Mizzou’s stifling defense

Coming into the contest against Missouri, IU’s offense was putting up gaudy numbers.
The Hoosiers were sixth nationally, averaging 50 points per game.

They were third in total touchdowns, eighth in the country in total yards, averaging 571 yards per game, and 11th in passing yards per game.

“I thought offensively we were lethargic,” IU Coach Kevin Wilson said after the 45-28 loss to Missouri Saturday night. “I thought our kids were walking around ... Our tempo needs to be quicker.”

IU’s usually proficient offense was stymied by Missouri. IU scored a touchdown in the final minute that had no bearing on the outcome. Otherwise, it had a 20-point output.

“We have a lot of work to do,” sophomore quarterback Nate Sudfeld said. “But it’s tangible work, and we see what we can fix, so we’re excited.”

Sudfeld’s statistics had been among the conference’s best before Saturday. He led the Big Ten in touchdowns, yards and passer efficiency.

Against the Tiger defense, the California native struggled mightily. He threw three interceptions and completed just 54 percent of his passes. He had been above 70 percent before the game.

“Nate’s played awfully, awfully well,” Wilson said. “And we’ve said it before — tonight he didn’t get a lot of help.”

Sudfeld was benched for sophomore Tre Roberson in the second half in an attempt to give the Hoosier offense a spark.

Although Roberson’s statistics were slightly better in that he completed 57 percent of his 14 pass attempts and threw no interceptions, he was unable to jumpstart the Hoosier offense and put long drives together while the game was still competitive.

After the game, Wilson said there is no quarterback controversy. They will continue playing two quarterbacks.

Whether Sudfeld or Roberson was at the helm, the Tiger front seven were unrelenting in their pressures.

“Bottom line, they just kicked our tails up front,”
Wilson said.

Missouri defensive lineman Kony Ealy registered a pick-six in the second quarter. Ealy put his hands up to block the incoming Sudfeld pass and, instead, made the athletic play and caught the ball.

“It’s a quick throw, so you’re not really looking at the rush,” Sudfeld said. “I probably called the wrong protection or did something wrong. You’re not really looking at the D-line, especially on a quick throw. He just made a really good play.”

Junior wide receiver Cody Latimer said the team needs to have more balance in its next game.

“We need to get our run game established,” Latimer said. “And stop doing silly turnovers.”

IU’s running game couldn’t get going either. Sophomore running back Tevin Coleman was bottled up for 54 yards on 15 carries, good for a 3.6-yards-per-rush average.

Senior running back Stephen Houston had three carries for two yards.

Last week both Coleman and Houston went over the 100-yard mark, with Houston leading the way with 153 yards.

“We were trying to get our run game going,” Latimer said. “The run game wasn’t going good as usual.”

Latimer had an effective first half. The junior had 134 yards on just seven catches. In the second half, he had one catch for two yards — a microcosm of IU’s offense.

“The offense got in rhythm three or four drives,” Wilson said.

Follow reporter Evan Hoopfer on Twitter @EvanHoopfer.