Game Wrap and Reaction: Indiana 38 Ball State 10
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The Hoosiers celebrate J-Shun Harris’ TD Image: Sarah Miller Hoosier Huddle
Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
Opponent: Ball State Cardinals
Location: Saturday September 15th, 2018 Bloomington, IN
Why They Played: The Hoosiers and Cardinals kicked off a three-game set. They’ll play in 2019 (Indianapolis) and again in 2020 (Bloomington).
What The Game Meant: This was a chance for the Hoosiers to start the season 3-0 for the first time since 2015 and get halfway to bowl eligibility. It also sets up a prime-time Spittoon battle against Michigan State.
Top Offensive Performers:
Peyton Ramsey, QB, Indiana- Ramsey has made sure to shut the second-guessers up about him winning the starting job. He was an efficient 20-of-27 for 173 yards and added 42 yards and a score on the ground. He sat out most of the second half.
Stevie Scott, RB, Indiana- Scott continued his hot September as he ran for 114 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries and had 12 yards receiving.
James Gilbert, RB, Ball State- Gilbert led an otherwise dormant offense with 89 yards rushing and a touchdown (maybe) on 16 carries.
Top Defensive Performers
Jonathan Crawford, S, Indiana- The senior led a stifling defense with five tackles and two tackles for loss with a sack.
Reakwon Jones, LB, Indiana- Jones has really played well in 2018 and continued that play on Saturday. The junior had five tackles and 2 TFLs.
Jimmy Daw, LB, Ball State- Had eight tackles including two tackles for loss.
Special Team Performance
Punt returner J-Shun Harris never ceases to amaze as the fifth-year senior had an 86-yard punt return touchdown to ignite the Hoosier offense. He totaled 103 punt return yards and should have had more had not been for a couple holding penalties. IU needs to clean that part of the unit up as they had several penalties on special teams. IU blocked a punt, but did not turn it into points.
Jared Smolar and Logan Justus continued their strong play as Justus hit all five of his extra points and a field goal while Smolar knocked six-of-seven kicks for touchbacks. Haydon Whitehead punted four times pinning Ball State inside their own 20 once. He had a 38.8 net average on punts
I loved that Tom Allen and staff has decided to use Reese Taylor as the kick returner. He averaged 22 yards a return on three attempts.
Key Stat(s)
6
IU averaged six yards per play and racked up 457 yards of total offense.
Turning Point
J-Shun Harris’ punt return touchdown ignited the crowd and put IU comfortably ahead at 17-3.
I Knew it Was Over When…
Peyton Ramsey ran untouched five yards for a touchdown to put the Hoosiers up 24-7
Players of the Game
Stevie Scott, Indiana- Scott brought the lumber again and paced the IU offense with 126 total yards and two touchdowns.
James Gilbert, Ball State- Gilbert was solid for Ball State with 106 total yards and a touchdown.
What I took away from the game
Indiana did what they needed to do against an inferior opponent. The Hoosiers dominated in every phase of the game. Getting through the non-conference slate undefeated is a major step in getting to a bowl game.
The biggest takeaway from Saturday’s win is the depth that IU is building on both sides of the ball. After playing only one running back last week against Virginia, the Hoosiers used for on Saturday, including true freshman Ronnie Walker who scored a touchdown on his first career carry. He finished with nine carries for 41 yards. Craig Nelson and Mike Majette also carried the ball.
10 players caught passes and the Hoosiers were able to play Michael Penix for most of the second half. Penix finished completing four-of-five passes for 29 yards and gained 13 yards rushing.
On defense 18 players recorded at least two tackles, 25 recorded at least one and no player recorded more than five tackles. Tom Allen said before the season he wanted to increase his rotation and he has done just that.