IU wrapped up its nonconference schedule with a 38-3 win over the University of Connecticut on Saturday. The Hoosiers earned their third win of the season and are now halfway to bowl-eligibility.
IU came out strong against UConn following a beatdown at the hands of Ohio State last week, controlling all aspects of the game.
“I thought our guys bounced back from a tough one a week ago,” IU head coach Tom Allen said. “We put in a good week of work and got refocused and got a chance to get some things re-established on both sides of the football.”
The Hoosiers now turn their focus solely on Big Ten play as they head to East Lansing for their first conference road game against No. 25 Michigan State.
Here are three takeaways from Monday.
Coy Cronk’s injury sidelines him for the season.
One of the few negatives to come out of the UConn game for IU was the loss of senior left tackle Coy Cronk for the remainder of the season.
“Coy Cronk, unfortunately, as many of you saw during the game, experienced a lower-leg injury that was serious, so he’ll be having surgery this week, and he’ll be out for the remainder of the season,” Allen said. “Not career-ending so he’ll bounce back, but just tough break for him.”
On a Stevie Scott run toward the UConn sideline, a defender missed a tackle and rolled into the back of Cronk’s leg, resulting in the senior captain’s leg twisting. Immediately, Cronk and the medical staff knew the injury was serious as he lay on the ground and a cart was immediately brought onto the field.
Cronk has been a four-year starter while at IU and was the anchor on this season’s offensive line. Now the Hoosiers will have to turn to a mix of sophomore Caleb Jones, freshman Mathew Bedford and fifth-year senior DaVondre Love to fill the gap on the line. After Cronk went down Saturday, Jones moved from right tackle to left tackle, and Love slotted into the empty spot.
Even without Cronk on the field, he will still have an influence on this IU team.
“Coy’s still gonna have a major, major influence on our offensive line and our team,” fifth-year senior center Hunter Littlejohn said.
Michigan State’s defense is strong, but IU is confident in its offensive ability.
Michigan State will enter Saturday’s matchup as the fifth-ranked defense in the nation, allowing only 228.3 yards per game. With questions surrounding if redshirt freshman Michael Penix Jr. will play against the Spartans and after the loss of Cronk, the Hoosiers have their work cut out for them to put up enough points on the road.
“We’re going to embrace the challenge,” IU offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer said. “Michigan State’s not going to feel sorry for us when we step onto the field Saturday and we’re not either.”
IU’s offense was ruthlessly efficient against UConn, averaging 6.32 yards per play. The Hoosiers were finally able to open up the run game as sophomore running back Stevie Scott rushed for just shy of the century mark with 97 yards and a touchdown. Junior quarterback Peyton Ramsey also had a bounce-back performance completing 23-of-27 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns on the afternoon. He connected with 10 different receivers.
“They’re just a real hard-nosed defense,” junior wide receiver Ty Fryfogle said about Michigan States’ defense. “They’ve got a great d-line, great backers, and they’re always good on the back end. They’re always a team that’s very hard to score on, but I feel like our offense and coaching staff will figure out ways to get the job done.”
IU’s first true road game provides an exciting change of pace.
Even though IU technically has one road game under its belt against Ball State University at Lucas Oil Stadium, the Hoosiers’ trip to East Lansing is their first real road game. For both the players and coaches alike, there is just something different about venturing into enemy territory.
“I definitely like away games,” junior defensive end Michael Ziemba said. “Hearing those fans, hearing them talk to us and just being in the opposing stadium, it’s way more fun to me.”
The Hoosiers are only 1-8 in Big Ten road openers since 2010, with their only win coming against Rutgers. The team has another tall task this weekend as it tries to knock off the Spartans.
After falling flat against Ohio State in the conference opener, IU is determined to prove it can compete against some of the top teams in the Big Ten and secure the first win against a ranked opponent in the Tom Allen era.
“When you’re going into an environment like at Michigan State, the excitement that stadium and program has, I would imagine our guys are ready to go," defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said.
