Inside the Numbers: Indiana Hoosiers vs. Connecticut Huskies

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Image: Sarah Miller Hoosier Huddle

Image: Sarah Miller Hoosier Huddle

Written by Andrew Walker

The Indiana Football Hoosiers are coming off of a devastating defeat at the hands of the Ohio State Buckeyes, 52-10. Indiana starting QB Mike Penix was a game-time decision last week, meaning that backup and 2018 starter Peyton Ramsey played the whole game. Ramsey proved to be inefficient and unconfident against the pass rush. This week is a similar story. Mike Penix is listed as a game-time decision, but this time it won’t be against a top ten ranked program. Let’s take a look inside the numbers to see if Indiana has what it takes. 

Red zone touchdown %

Indiana - 58%

I covered this last week in this article, and I’ll cover it again. For the Hoosiers to be able to win games against any team, regardless of rank, they have to be able to capitalize on red zone opportunities. IU only got three opportunities in the red zone last weekend and only converted one of them for a field goal. The touchdown in the second quarter was a 49 yard reception from Donovan Hale to Peyton Hendershot. Ramsey ended with zero TDs on the day. 

UConn - 50%

UConn hasn’t exactly had the greatest success with putting the ball in the end zone up close either. The Huskies are only 50% effective at red zone success, and they’re going to need every bit of it and more to get past an IU defense that’s shown it’s more than capable of protecting their end zone. 

Yards lost rushing

Indiana - 59

Indiana’s recent issue, especially in the Ohio State game is negative yardage rushing attempts. Indiana lost 25 yards against OSU’s stout run defense, but it felt like a whole lot more than that. Indiana needs to step it up against UConn if they’re going to have any chance of victory. Especially with Ramsey in at QB.

UConn - 69

UConn is an interesting team right now. The Huskies have zero passing TDs so far on the season and have four rushing TDs. UConn has scored only four TDs through their first two games and lost almost 70 yards on the ground. What a weird combination, but UConn gets it done however they have to. 

Sacks

Indiana - 8 sacks for 53 yards

The Hoosier pass rush is doing their thing really well so far this year. Indiana is getting to the QB really well each game. In each of the first two games, the Hoosiers were able to get to the QB three times for a double digit loss. Even in the OSU game, the pass rush was able to take down Justin Fields twice for 12 yards loss. The pass rush needs to be just as good if not better to sustain good pressure for the rest of the season. 

UConn - 6 sacks for 40 yards

The Husky pass rush has been relatively successful in their first two games. Their first game against Wagner College, UConn had four sacks with sophomore DL Lwal Uguak leading the team with two sacks. Indiana’s O-Line looked like swiss last weekend, but Indiana can’t be let off the hook against a pass rush like UConn’s.