Hoosiers Thrive in the Red Zone Through First Four Games

Written by Ben Gillard

The red zone is where games are won and lost. Converting in the red zone is the difference between IU’s 2023 loss to Louisville and their 2020 win over a ranked Penn State. Great teams find ways to finish drives, and so far Indiana has been extremely successful in the red zone.

Through their first four games, the Hoosiers have gone 22 of 24 on trips in the red zone, putting up a staggering 0.917 scoring percentage. This puts the Hoosiers in the top 50 for red zone offense, ahead of teams with high-powered scoring offenses like Tennessee and Ole Miss. What is perhaps most impressive about Indiana’s success in the red zone is the fact that they have only had to settle for two field goals. Instead, the Hoosiers have been imposing their will on opposing defenses, rushing for 15 red zone touchdowns and passing for 5 more.

A lot of the Hoosiers success in the red zone is thanks to “The Touchdown Machine” WR Ke’Shawn Williams. Williams burst onto the scene during the UCLA game, where he caught two touchdown passes, both of which came in the red zone. Williams built upon this success the next week vs. Charlotte, catching another touchdown pass in the red zone. In fact, of his 8 catches, three of them have been touchdowns, all of which occurred in the red zone. When asked about Williams, fellow wide receiver Myles Price said, “Honestly, the best I can put it is he’s a ballplayer. Every opportunity he gets he’s capitalizing on.”

Price went on to explain that the Hoosiers’ success in the red zone is not a fluke, saying, “The keys to that are early in the week. We’re working that stuff every week; every day we’re coming out and we’re working on things that we are doing in the game, so by the time we get to the game, it’s second nature.”

It has certainly looked like second nature to this offense, who have consistently been able to finish drives through the first four games. However, the Hoosiers face a major test on Saturday as they face off against a very talented Maryland defense. The Terrapins are ranked 24th in red zone defense, allowing just 4 touchdowns and 5 field goals all season. Saturday will be an opportunity for this IU team to show the rest of the Big 10 what it is made of and just how efficient they can be in the red zone.