Matchup to Watch: Indiana Receivers vs Iowa Cornerbacks
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Ty Fryfogle and the Indian receivers are hitting their stride again in 2018 Image: Sarah Miller Hoosier Huddle
Written By Nathan Comp
After Iowa and Indiana’s Week Six matchups, both teams left with two main storylines. For Iowa, it was the learning experience for their young group of cornerbacks. As for Indiana, they saw the emergence of the vertical passing game led by their wide receivers. Now looking forward to Week Seven, the two units that made the headlines will be matched up against each other. The winner of this matchup to watch may just be on the winning team when Saturday’s contest comes to a close.
When Iowa left for Minnesota, there were two huge question marks for their defense: true freshman cornerbacks Riley Moss and Julius Brents. The duo would be the first two true freshman to start at the position for the Hawkeyes in the last 40 seasons. After injuries to both Matt Hankins and Michael Ojemudia, the pair was forced to step up. In the first half, the learning curve was steep. Moss found himself burnt on a couple of plays. Both mentioned their difficulties adapting to the speed of the game having just been playing in high school one year ago.
Fortunately, they were able to adapt quickly. Moss tallied an interception in the second and fourth quarters, the latter of which he returned 36 yards and set up the Iowa offense for a field goal. He also amassed five tackles. Brents capitalized on the opportunity as well, with 3 tackles and adding an interception. Moss was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week in his first start. By the end of the week, the Iowa defense had turned what appeared to be a question mark into a potential strength.
That strength will be tested this week, however, by the Indiana receiving corps. After much frustration from Indiana fans regarding the limited passing game, the offensive playbook was opened up this past week against Ohio State. The Hoosiers were much more willing to pass the ball downfield and challenge the talented cornerbacks of Ohio State. Nick Westbrook caught five passes for over 100 yards and a touchdown. J Shun Harris caught eight, including a leaping one-handed grab for 30 yards between two defenders. Big bodied targets Donovan Hale and Peyton Hendershot tacked on touchdowns as well. After what felt like a disappointing offensive performance in a road Big Ten win against Rutgers the week prior, the road loss against Ohio State left Indiana feeling more confident in how dangerous its offense can be. Much of this credit can be given to the strong all-around showing from the receivers.
In this week’s matchup, these two confident units will be matched up against one another. Unfortunately for one team, one will have to budge. If Peyton Ramsey is able to deliver accurate passes downfield and make the young cornerback’s lives difficult, Indiana could likely end up on top. However, if the cornerbacks are again able to force turnovers like they did against Minnesota, Iowa could leave Bloomington having handed Indiana its seventh straight homecoming loss.