Zander Diamont knew IU’s new package on offense would catch Maryland off guard.
How could the Terrapins prepare for it? The Hoosiers hadn’t used it all year. There was no film to look at, no warning.
The junior quarterback lined up at running back, and freshman running back Tyler Natee took the snaps. By game’s end, both amassed more than 100 yards rushing and helped reinvigorate the Hoosier offense to the tune of 650 total yards and 42 points.
“Monday, when we started forming this package — we knew that they overplayed and that when we do trips they’ll overplay and put more guys on that side than the other side and leave the boundary wide open,” Natee said. “So, that’s when the package came in, and zone reads and all that stuff. I just had to read one guy the whole game and he did the same thing and it worked.”
Natee rushed for 111 yards on 18 carries, averaging 6.2 yards per carry and finding the end zone once. Diamont racked up 104 yards on 11 carries, averaging 9.5 yards per carry in part thanks to a 52-yard touchdown run, his second, which put the game out of reach late in the fourth quarter.
The dynamic package only attempted to go to the air twice. First, in the second quarter, Natee rolled out for a pass in the red zone, but the pressure took away a chance at a clean attempt and the Texas native stiff-armed Maryland safety Josh Woods to the turf and picked up positive yardage on the ground. Second, Diamont found senior wide receiver Ricky Jones for a 29-yard gain in the third quarter.
No more were necessary.
The plays appeared to come naturally to the pair, and the offense as a whole. The line and wide receivers finished their blocks, and Natee and Diamont found the holes. Although listed at running back, Natee played quarterback in high school. His experience under center was evident, Diamont said, and the freshman’s performance outstanding.
“His handoffs are as good as any of the quarterbacks,” Diamont said. “He’s a natural ball carrier so, it’s apparent. When you’re out there with him you can feel it.”
It was a new role for Diamont, not taking the snaps or being the one who decided whether or not he got the carry. But, not lining up as the quarterback wasn’t a totally foreign feel.
“It’s really the same because I end up in the same position that I would be if I had pulled the ball on a read play,” Diamont said. “So, it’s not much different ... It’s fun, I’m just out there playing like I’m back at the park, Barrington park back at home in LA, like I’m six years old again.”
Wilson said what IU chooses to do on offense depends week to week on what each opponent presents, and while Diamont acknowledged it’s unclear what the future holds for it, he doesn’t see why a successful look wouldn’t reappear.
The name for the package is still up in the air, although Natee didn’t seem like he particularly cared — just make the call and he’ll go in. Diamont didn’t let slip any ideas either.
Junior running back Devine Redding assured when it does come out, it’ll be one to remember.
“We will, and it will be a great one,” Redding said. “You’ll have to get back to me on that one.”
