Indiana Offense Lacks Aggressiveness and Bite Against Michigan State

Indiana had no room to run on Saturday Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle

Written By Nathan Comp

After an undefeated non-conference slate, much credit could be given to the play of the Indiana offense. The offensive line was dominating in both pass and run situations, Peyton Ramsey was completing a majority of his passes, and a breakout star had been found in true freshman running back Stevie Scott.

After tonight’s first conference game against rival Michigan State, few of these storylines remain.

Indiana’s offense struggled the entire game, tallying only 3 points on drives that did not begin with a takeaway forced by the defense. They finished with just 301 total yards, converted only 4 of 16 third down opportunities, and were forced to punt 7 times. Michigan State stacked the box, clearly not respecting Ramsey’s ability or lack their of to throw the deep ball. Spartan defenders were rarely more than 11 yards off the ball.

Many of the issues can be traced back to the play of the offensive line. After receiving praise for their prior performances, they will take most of the blame for the loss this week, even though some of it is unwarranted since it is very difficult, even impossible, to ask five players to consistently block eight defenders.. They were never able to get a push against the Michigan State front seven, allowing no room to run for Indiana’s tailbacks and no time to throw for Peyton Ramsey. The Hoosiers finished with just 29 rushing yards and a measly 0.9 yards per carry. Stevie Scott was only able to muster 18 yards on 11 attempts. “Very disappointed in our run game offensively. You’ve got to run the football…that really bothers me,” said Coach Allen after the game.

When Indiana turned to the passing game, even in the final quarter when Michigan State was only rushing three, the line play was no better. Ramsey never got comfortable in the pocket and resorted to forcing throws or evading the pressure enough to get back to the line of scrimmage on scramble attempts. Ramsey finished with two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown when Indiana was driving deep in Michigan State territory during the first quarter. That increased the Spartan lead to 14, matching the eventual margin of victory.

While few players likely walked out of the locker room feeling happy with their performance, a sole bright spot of the Indiana offense can be found in the play of Whop Philyor. Luke Timian was sidelined for the game by injury and in his absence, Whop had one of the best games of his career. While he had been used primarily on jet sweeps out of the backfield during the non-conference slate, today Whop played an important role as a slot receiver. He led all receivers in the game with 13 receptions and 148 yards, including a 65-yard scamper for a touchdown on a slant pattern in the fourth quarter to put Indiana within 10. All of this was done on an ankle that got twisted in the first half and Whop described after the game as “very sore.”

The offense will have to get back to the drawing board and improve in all facets, including being more aggressive down field as teams have picked up on the tendency of Ramsey’s unwillingness and inability to throw the deep ball, as the team travels to face the Rutgers Scarlet Knights next week, their first away game of the conference season and second of the year.