Know Your Opponent: Indiana State Sycamores

Sycamore Sam will look to enjoy this trip to Bloomington a little more than his previous five

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

This Years Record: 0-0 (0-0 1st in Big Ten Leaders)

Head Coach: Mike Sanford

Overall: 17-54 (.847)

At Indiana State: 1-11 (0-8)

Last Years Record: 1-11 (0-8)

Mascot: Sycamore Sam

Outfitter: Adidas

Formations:

Offense- Spread

Defense- 3-4

Fun Fact: The Indiana State marching band is the feature band at the Brick Yard 400.

It’s finally here! The 2014 college football season will get underway Saturday when the Indiana Hoosiers kickoff against the Indiana State Sycamores. This marks the third year in a row the Hoosiers and Sycamores have squared off to start the season. Here are a few tidbits about the Sycamores

1. Connor Underwood is a Name to Remember

Conner Underwood (55) looks to continue his big play against the Hoosiers in 2014

The junior linebacker is a pre-season All-Missouri Valley Conference selection. In 2013 Underwood totaled 76 tackles, 18 of those stops were for a loss including nine sacks. Hoosier fans may remember Underwood as he performed well in last year’s opener collecting four tackles and finding the end zone on a pick-six.

2. Mike Perish Provides Senior Leadership

Mike Perish needs to have a big game if the Sycamores are going to upset the Hoosiers.

The Sycamore quarterback will look to spark an offense that loses its best weapon in Shakir Bell. Perish is quickly climbing up the Sycamore all-time list for passing yards as he begins the season sitting in fifth place with 3,201 yards and 24 touchdowns. The signal caller threw for 118 yards and two scores in last season’s loss to the Hoosiers. He also added 19 yards on the ground.

3. Sycamores Looking to Break Through in More Ways than One

Indiana State has put up a lot of zeros when it comes to playing Big Ten teams, especially Indiana. Indiana State enters the contest 0-5 all-time in Bloomington. They came close in 2012 when a Hail Mary was knocked down to preserve a 24-17 Hoosier victory. The Sycamores are 0-12 all-time versus the Big Ten Conference.