After a 38-10 trouncing at home against Ball State, the IU football team improved their record to 3-0 on the season, capping off an undefeated nonconference schedule that also saw wins over Florida International and Virginia.
Now, the Hoosiers are in the midst of preparing for their conference-opening game at home against Michigan State on Saturday and are looking for just the seventh 4-0 start in program history and first since 2015.
At a press conference on Monday, IU Coach Tom Allen pointed out some things he thought were promising from his team last week, along with a few aspects he thought they need to work on while preparing for the No. 24 Spartans.
1. More Hoosiers continue to earn weekly honors
Freshman running back Stevie Scott and senior wide receiver J-Shun Harris II were able to earn Big Ten honors after their performances Saturday.
After rushing for 114 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries against the Cardinals, Scott was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the second week in a row. Going into Saturday’s contest, Scott was coming off a monstrous game the week prior against Virginia in which he ran for 204 yards and a touchdown against the Cavaliers and was just three yards away from Anthony Thompson’s program record for most rushing yards in a game for a true freshman.
He also became the quickest IU running back ever to record two straight 100-yard games and was just the fourth in program history to do so.
Allen said he has been pleased with Scott’s play over the past two games, but was quick to emphasize the fumble he recorded against Ball State as well.
“He continues to play well,” Allen said. “He has to learn to hold onto the football but has done a good job except for that one time. He will continue to work hard.”
Meanwhile, Harris, who came back for a fifth season after tearing his ACL for the third time of his career last season, was able to earn his award after breaking off for an 86-yard punt return against Ball State. It marked the third punt return of his career and tied the program record owned by Tim Wilbur.
Harris II’s return was also the seventh-longest in school history.
“I just continue to be impressed by him,” Allen said. “I’m so happy for him and proud of him for all that he's accomplished.”
Meanwhile, earning IU’s weekly team awards were sophomore quarterback Peyton Ramsey as offensive player of the week, senior safety Jonathan Crawford and junior linebacker Reakwon Jones were co-defensive players of the week and Harris II and junior punter Haydon Whitehead were co-special teams players of the week.
2. Tom Allen wants more takeaways from his team
Allen has made it a point of emphasis this season that his goal for his team’s defense is to get three takeaways each game. On Saturday, the Hoosiers didn’t accomplish that goal, only forcing one on junior defensive back Isaac James’ last-second interception in the fourth quarter.
During the game, sophomore linebacker T.D. Roof nearly had an interception but wasn’t able to hang on. Allen said he thought it could’ve been a pick six, so he and his coaching staff created a drill in practice Monday to work on that exact kind of situation.
Despite his team also recording three sacks and seven tackles for loss on the day and getting solid pressure on Ball State quarterback Riley Neal from the likes of Crawford, Jones and Roof, Allen said he still wants his team to force more turnovers moving forward.
But, he did say he thinks the defense is continuing to improve and has been getting in better position to make big plays.
“As you continue to be in the better position, you're closer to the football, you're more confident, playing faster, that creates takeaways,” Allen said. “It creates the opportunity to get those takeaways when the ball is on the ground, tipped or thrown, you're closer to the ball because you're more confident in your reads, your fits, all that. I expect that to continue.”
3. IU’s backfield rotation might be growing soon
Even after another big day from Scott on the ground, a number of Hoosiers got reps against Ball State. One of those was freshman Ronnie Walker Jr., who ran the ball nine times for 43 yards and two touchdowns in his first career game as a Hoosier. The first of those two touchdowns was on Walker Jr.’s first carry.
After the indefinite suspension of sophomore Morgan Ellison and the season-ending ACL injury to sophomore Cole Gest, depth behind Scott has been a concern of late for IU.
Allen said he had been planning on getting Walker Jr. some reps heading into the game and said he hopes he can help carry the load with Scott in the backfield moving forward.
“You would like to spread it out,” Allen said. “They are two different types of backs in terms of skill set, sides, what they bring to the table. We definitely have the objective of trying to bring Ronnie along, to get him ready. It was really glad to be able to see him out there, do some good things.”
