IU Defensive Unit “Ready” to Stop Cincinnati’s Passing Attack

Written by: Zach Greene (@Zgreene650)

Cincinnati burst onto the College Football scene with their historic 2020 season going 9-1 almost beating SEC powerhouse Georgia. While both teams are centered around Defense if the Hoosiers cannot stop Dual-Threat QB and Top NFL prospect Desmond Ridder they will have a hard time beating the #8 ranked team in the country.

“We gone live with Coach Warren and his calls and we READY.” stated starting cornerback Tiawan Mullen during Monday’s Press Conference. Mullen who is a three-year starter in this Indiana Football program is looking forward to facing off against one of the best quarterbacks in the nation.

Ridder can practically do everything on the football field. He can throw the ball down the field like Aaron Rodgers and run like Kyler Murray. In his four years as a starter Ridder has thrown for over 7,400+ yards and 63 touchdowns. On the ground, he has over 1,800 yards rushing with 23 touchdowns

A key to stopping the Cincinnati offense will be to limit his ability to throw the ball downfield and Tiawan and his “Brothers” are up for the task.

“I go out there and know I gonna execute with my brothers, knowing I can make plays with my brothers and for my brothers.”

Mullen is a leader on this defensive unit. He knows what it takes to produce at this level and believes that every guy who steps on the field has talent.

“We have pretty good depth. We hoping for those guys who got injured that they get back healthy. Everybody who comes on the field is a ONE. A safety a cornerback, if you are on the field, you are a one. You play like a one.

With the loss of Cornerback Christopher Keys, the mentally is the “next man up.” Noah Pierre or Juwan Burgess is likely to be the next guys up.

It is important to note that the Bearcats went up against new IU defensive Coordinator Charlton Warren during last year’s season Peach Bowl.

Here’s what Warren had to say about Ridder.

“I learned that they have a Quarterback who has played a lot of football. He has seen a lot of things. He can make checks on guys. He can truly hurt you with his arms, with his legs, and with his brain. Very accurate, very tough, very fast. He has a supporting cast around him that has been around a long time. They are a group that is very mature.”

Expect Warren to have some tricks up his sleeve for the game on Saturday. As Warren said, Ridder does everything on the field well but so do guys like Mullen. Both Mullen and Ridder are mature and NFL talents. There will be NFL scouts in the stands/field on Saturday, making the players more determined to be on their A-game. Whoever wins this game will have bragging rights and confidence to take the program to the next level.