Indiana Offense Takes a Step in the Right Direction Behind Penix's Big Night

Image: Sarah Miller, Hoosier Huddle

Written by Matt Smith

Indiana’s offense played their fourth game of the season against Western Kentucky Saturday.The focus for the week was efficiency and the Hoosiers did just that Saturday night.

Michael Penix looked good completing 35 of 53 passes for 373 yards with zero interceptions and a rushing touchdown. This was Penix’s season high in passing yards as well as completions.

"Overcoming all of what he’s been through these last few weeks — It’s hard, it’s tough,” Allen said in a postgame press conference. “But I’ve never wavered in my belief in him."

Ty Fryfogle also had a bounceback game as the chemistry between him and Penix finally showed. Fryfogle had 10 receptions for 98 yards, both season highs. Peyton Hendershot also had six receptions for 94 yards.

The story of the offense however was the run game with Stephen Carr running for 109 yards on 25 carries for two touchdowns.

As far as scoring, Charles Campbell who tied a school record with four made field goals on four straight drives. 

The offensive line also gave up 3 sacks to the Western Kentucky defense. 

“I thought our offensive line did a great job of opening some holes for him,” Allen said.  “Stephen Carr ran really hard and protected the football.”

While the offense did look good, they settled for field goals on the majority of the ther drives and struggled to move the ball once they got inside the Hilltoppers’ 30-yard-line. However, the Hoosiers were 11 for 18 on third down and scored on seven drives.

“There’s only one stat that matters, and that’s we had more points then the other team does when the game’s over,” head coach Tom Allen said after the game.  “And that’s exactly what we did.  And that was a great team win.”

Penix had a clutch third down throw to Fryfogle to close the game on a third and eight, a play that the Hoosiers desperately needed.

“He was awesome,” Allen said of Penix.  “Timely throws, key third conversions, obviously none bigger than the final drive to Fryfogle to secure the win across the middle.  He just made a ton of great throws all night long, extended some things with his legs when he had to.  He just keeps getting better and better every single week.”