Numbers That Matter When the Hoosiers Head To Evanston
/Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
It’s Tuesday and that means it’s time for Numbers That Matter. This week the Hoosiers travel to Evanston, Illinois to take on the Northwestern Wildcats. The series resumes after being on a hiatus since 2012.
1993- The Hoosiers have not won at Ryan Field since 1993. Indiana has not knocked off Northwestern since 2008. Indiana is
46- In their last two wins Northwestern has averaged 46 points per game. In their four prior games (1-3) they were averaging just 16.25 points per game. The Wildcat offense is heating up, can the Hoosier defense cool them off?
67- The number Indiana offensive lineman Dan Feeney wears when he plays. The Hoosiers desperately need him back to spark a struggling rushing attack.
6- The Indiana defense has given up six fewer points per game through six games in 2016 (25.8) than it did in 2015 (31.8). The defense is a major reason why the Hoosiers sit at 3-3 as the offense continues to sputter.
1.8- Pass break-ups per game by Indiana cornerback Rashard Fant, good for first in the Big Ten and nationally. As a team the Hoosiers have broken up 35 passes and picked off seven throws.
101- Combined tackles from Hoosier linebackers Tegray Scales (57) and Marcus Oliver (44) through six games this season. Scales and Oliver will be vital for the Hoosiers if they want to slow down running back Justin Jackson and the Northwestern offense.
114.5- Rushing yards per game by the Hoosiers the last four full games without Dan Feeney or Dimitric Camiel, IU averaged 216.5 in the two games with both of them in the lineup. Indiana’s offense has stalled at times since they have failed to establish the run over the last four games.
32.3- Northwestern kickoff returner Solomon Vault is sixth in the nation in average yards per kickoff return with 32.3 ypr. If Griffin Oakes cannot blast the ball into the end zone Vault can become a major factor for the Wildcats.