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Thursday, March 28
The Indiana Daily Student

sports football

IU, Maryland aim to control running game

For the first time in IU Coach Kevin Wilson’s four seasons at the helm of IU football, his offense is being recognized for more than its high-octane passing attack.

IU’s rushing offense is ranked No. 9 in the nation.

Led by junior Tevin Coleman, who leads the nation in rushing and all-purpose yards per game, and senior D’Angelo Roberts, the Hoosiers are averaging 310 yards on the ground per game this season.

They look to build on that against Maryland (3-1) at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, in the two teams’ first meeting since 1935.

“It’s an attitude to run,” Wilson said. “It’s more of a mindset, and it’s taken us some time to get that mindset where we’re mature enough across the board.”

Last week, in IU’s win against then-No. 18 Missouri, Coleman left the game for most of the second ?quarter.

Roberts and freshman Devine Redding didn’t miss a beat, combining for 114 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

Coleman picked up where he left off in the second half. He and Roberts each made big plays on the final drive that resulted in the game-winning score.

All three IU touchdowns against Missouri came on the ground.

An offense that prides itself on its passing game is becoming a running team this season.

The Hoosiers had 241 rushing yards to 252 passing against Missouri, more balanced offensively than they have been yet this season.

In the Indiana State season opener, IU had a lopsided 111 passing yards to 455 rushing yards.

Against Bowling Green, it was 395 yards passing to 176 rushing.

“It’s a team effort to run the ball,” Wilson said. “The pass helps the run, the run helps the pass and it all goes together.”

IU faces the worst rush defense in the Big Ten in Maryland. The Terrapins are allowing an average of 199.3 rushing yards per game.

IU offensive coordinator Kevin Johns said Maryland’s defensive scheme is very similar to what his offense faced all of preseason — its own.

“They have a tough, physical defense,” he said. “They’re based out of an odd front, which means they can bring pressure from all over the place. So anytime you see that kind of front, that can present a major problem.”

After last week’s game, Coleman gave a lot of credit to his offensive line and receivers for crucial blocks, especially on his final play of the game that put the Hoosiers inside the 10-yard line with less than 30 seconds ?to go.

Wilson agreed, saying when they run the ball well, all the credit goes to the ?offensive line.

While IU has played freshmen and sophomore linemen in the past couple years, not one of the current starting five have less than two years of ?experience.

Johns said offensive line coach Greg Frey has made a point to have every single player ready to go. When one gets injured, the next is ready to step up.

“Every day, every week, every year you’re developing guys at that position because you need a bunch of them and you never know when someone’s going to go down,” Johns said.

That offensive line held off a Missouri defensive front that was considered one of the best in the country.

They have made way for an IU running game that has 872 yards this season through three games.

To offensive tackle Ralston Evans, IU has some of the best running backs in the league. But they still have something to prove, beginning with Maryland on ?Saturday.

“We feel like we still left a lot of yards and a lot of points out there, even this past weekend,” Evans said.

“We just came in Sunday and we enjoyed it while we enjoyed it, but when we went back and we watched film we believe we still have much to improve on.”

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