Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
Support the IDS in College Media Madness! Donate here March 24 - April 8.
Friday, March 29
The Indiana Daily Student

sports

Freshman quarterback stepping up and other spring football notes

spIUFBvsPSU

Another week of IU spring football means another update in the quarterback competition. Last week, the story was that junior Richard Lagow and sophomore Danny Cameron had earned the top two spots and taken over most of the reps.

After practice Tuesday, coaches spoke about freshman quarterback Austin King proving himself more and earning snaps in practice.

IU Coach Kevin Wilson mentioned last week the Georgia native may not have been putting in the extra time necessary to develop. So, after one day of getting less time, Wilson said he noticed a greater sense of urgency from King.

“The last couple days, you know, Austin King’s actually looked nice and really did in the scrimmage, too,” Wilson said.

The problem, Wilson said, is King and Lagow look good during plays once the ball is snapped but don’t know what they’re doing in between plays.

The opposite has been the consistent praise of Cameron. Wilson and IU offensive coordinator Kevin Johns both talk about how Cameron has the best command presence and has been good at leading the offense before the snap. He’s also been called the most consistent.

With King, it has been a matter of the mental aspects of the game. Johns said he has all the physical tools to be a “really, really good player,” but needs more time grasping the offense and getting more experience.

“Man, when he knows what he’s doing, he can rip it as well as anybody,” Johns said.

The same has been said by Wilson and Johns about Lagow, which is why Johns said the staff feels good about the quarterback competition. He considers it a matter of time and development rather than ability.

Spring injury updates

Junior running back Camion Patrick, whose transition from receiver to the backfield has been watched all spring, is out of practice with a knee injury, Wilson said Tuesday.

Wilson said there is no timetable for a return and did not elaborate on the severity of the injury.

IU defensive line coach Mark Hagen alluded last week to an injury to junior defensive lineman Robert McCray III. Wilson confirmed McCray III has turf toe and has been limited with a cast.

Sophomore receiver J-Shun Harris and sophomore defensive back Andre Brown are both limited to no contact due to injuries suffered last season. Harris tore his ACL last summer.

Sophomore linebacker Dameon Willis Jr. is also limited to no contact after a shoulder injury.

Mixed reviews on scrimmage performance

At the IU team scrimmage Saturday, Wilson said he thought the defense played well and evaluated the game as a win for the defense.

New IU defensive coordinator Tom Allen, on the other hand, was not as satisfied. Wilson said Allen didn’t think the defense turned the ball over enough and gave up too many big plays.

He wasn’t happy with how the group finished and didn’t want to name the defense as winners.

The secondary brings back a large group of players who earned time last season due to the long list of injuries. IU had the worst pass defense in the Big Ten last season, but Wilson is seeing some growth.

“I see them making more plays,” Wilson said. “At the same time, I see them where they’ve got to keep coming along.”

Get stories like this in your inbox
Subscribe