This Saturday doesn’t just give the IU football team a chance to go up against one of the top teams in the country when it travels to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to face No. 4 Michigan.
It’s also a homecoming for a couple of the Hoosiers’ coaches.
Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord coached for the Wolverines from 1993-1999 and then another stint from 2004-2007. Running backs coach Mike Hart played there under DeBord as a star running back from 2004-2007.
But at IU’s weekly media session on Monday, both said the thought of a homecoming game hasn’t really crossed their minds during this week of preparation.
“I really haven’t thought one second about it,” DeBord said.
Hart’s thoughts mirrored that sentiment from DeBord as he stressed what many of IU’s players and coaches did Monday — which is focusing on earning what would be a monumental win for the 5-5 Hoosiers.
“To me it’s just another game,” Hart said. “I think a lot of people make more of it than what it is.”
Here are three other takeaways from what those players and coaches had to say on Monday.
1. There were a number of positives to take away from IU’s win over Maryland.
IU Coach Tom Allen said he was pleased with a number of things his team did Saturday. Freshman running back Stevie Scott amassed 100 rushing yards again, sophomore quarterback Peyton Ramsey took some shots down field and connected with the likes of Nick Westbrook, Donavan Hale and Ty Fryfogle for long completions and the Hoosiers’ defense recorded four takeaways.
“Some teams come back from bye weeks and they're a little sluggish when they play and that was obviously something we couldn't afford to do,” Allen said. “Really worked hard to get our guys ready to play at a high level and they responded.”
Another major aspect of the victory Allen focused on was his defense’s success in the red zone against the Terrapins, which will be something they’ll need to duplicate if they want to find a way to upset Michigan this week.
“I thought we did a really good job in the red zone,” Allen said. “We forced field goals, which ended up being the difference in the game.”
2. Michigan will pose one of IU’s toughest tests yet.
Not only does IU have to try and match up with the No. 4-ranked team in the country this weekend, it might mark the most talented team the Hoosiers face this year.
The Wolverines are 9-1 this season and are coming off a 42-7 drubbing of Rutgers on the road last week.
One of the main weapons Michigan possesses is its multi-faceted quarterback, Shea Patterson.
“He's an extremely gifted passer, but also has great escape ability,” Allen said. “And they'll use him in the run game at times, and it's effective when they do.”
Michigan also brings back senior running back Karan Higdon, who torched IU for 200 yards and three touchdowns in the meeting last year and has rushed for over 100 yards in seven of his nine games this year.
But IU senior defensive lineman Mike Barwick Jr. said Higdon is just one of the many capable playmakers the Hoosiers’ defense will have to be focused on.
“They have a great offense,” Barwick Jr. said. “They have a lot of great guys and they’re going to be ready to play but we’ll be ready to play too.”
3. Manager Matt Stauder is doing well.
If anybody in IU’s football program has faced challenges this season, it’s senior manager Matt Stauder, who has battled Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
But last week, Stauder was informed that his cancer is now in remission, news that came as a relief to him and his Hoosier football family.
“It was obviously the greatest feeling in the world,” Stauder said. “All the prayers and support I got from the IU community and my friends and family, I can’t thank them enough.”
Stauder was also recently nominated for the Capital One Orange Bowl- FWAA Courage Award, a national award that honors those in college athletics who have displayed courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship.
“I’m blown away to have my name included in the caliber of people who have won it in the past,” Stauder said. “It’s a privilege and an honor and I’m humbled to be nominated for that.”
