Inside the Numbers: Indiana Hoosiers vs. Eastern Illinois Panthers

/
IMG_2409.jpeg

Written by Andrew Walker

With the Hoosiers grabbing the win at Lucas Oil Stadium last Saturday against Ball State, the focus now shifts to Eastern Illinois. The Panthers come into Bloomington having lost their first game against Chattanooga 24-10. With Indiana 1-0 and EIU 0-1, let’s take a look inside the numbers for both teams. 

1. Rushing Yards

Indiana - 146

Stevie Scott wasn’t able to put it on the ground as well as he or any of the Hoosier faithful were hoping him to do last Saturday, and I’d expect that to change come this weekend. 

EIU - 130

Jae Hayes-Benefield led the Panthers last Saturday with 49 yards rushing. His longest was a 31 yard breakaway. Other than Hayes-Benefield, EIU shares the ball in the backfield pretty well. Sharing the touches were Jonathan Brandley, Chris Walker and Ray Marques to name a few. 

2. Missed Tackles

Indiana - 25

The Hoosiers missed a golden opportunity to keep the Cardinals to single digit points last weekend. With so many missed tackles DC Kane Wommack is sure to make some schematic changes that better suit EIU’s attack. Indiana’s defense has to step it up.

3. Average Punt Distance

Indiana - 51.7

Indiana’s Haydon Whitehead can really punt the football. Three punts totalling 155 yards is an outrageous number for the first game. Averaging more than 50 yards per punt is an incredible way to flip the field and get some good opportunities.

EIU - 33.5

Eastern Illinois couldn’t seem to send the ball down field nearly as well as the Hoosiers could last weekend. That wasn’t all bad though because of their six punts, two of them landed inside the 20 yard line. Another issue, they punted six times. Not being able to convert on third down will be a struggle for the Panthers this weekend. 

4. Time of Possession

Indiana - 29:01

Indiana had one less minute of possession than the Cardinals did last weekend, and still won by 10 points. It’s not how long you hold the ball for, it’s what you do when you have the ball. Efficiency is something Indiana is decently good at and will continue to get better at.

EIU - 34:19

Again, efficiency is everything when it comes to time of possession. EIU had the ball for 10 minutes longer than their opponent Chattanooga, and lost by 14 points. EIU’s stagnant offense will be an issue against the Hoosiers and their quick defense. 

5. Third Down Conversions

Indiana - 6/12

For the Hoosiers to be effective against EIU, they have to be able to convert on third down. They did a respectable job at 50% last weekend against Ball State, but it’s going to have to be better this weekend. Not only because it should constantly be improving, but also because Indiana plays Ohio State the weekend after that. 

EIU - 8/20

Against a fast and effective defense from the Hoosiers, EIU has to be able to convert on third down. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Panthers even try some fourth down conversions in the contest. They’ll need all the opportunities they can get, especially with not having very many successful ones last weekend.