Spring Game Wrap and Reaction: Offense 34 Defense 25
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Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
Opponent: Spring Football Game
Location: Bloomington, IN
Why They Played: The Hoosiers played their first “real” spring football game in a while and their first under new head man Curt Cignetti to close out spring practice.
What The Game Meant: This was the first chance that IU fans have had to see what Coach Cignetti has been cooking up in practice.
Top Offensive Performers
Andison Coby, WR- Coby is the forgotten member of the wide receiver room, but showed what he can bring on Thursday night with several big plays. Some of the reasons why he fell out of favor creeped in last night, but overall he showed why he can be a valuable member of this squad in 2024.
Running Game, OL and RBs- The first team offensive line and all four running backs were impressive. It looked like each back could get positive yardage and break tackles for longer gains. If IU can run like this for the entire season, it’ll be a good year.
Tayven Jackson, QB- Jackson started by completing his first seven passes on a 90-yard drive capped by a touchdown strike to Donaven McCulley in the red zone. He was not perfect, but at the very least IU has an improving option with some experience.
Top Defensive Performers
Aiden Fisher, LB- Fisher was all over the field last night and should put Hoosier fans’ mind at ease about one of the starting linebacker roles. He has great instincts and has grown tremendously since he was inserted into the starting role at James Madison early last season.
First Team Defensive Backs- Kobee Minor and Jamier Johnson each made plays on defense last night and safeties Terry Jones Jr. and Shawn Asbury II had interceptions and were pretty consistent all night. With Nic Toomer and Amare Farrell as well in the secondary, the top of that group looks very solid. Obviously, depth is still needed.
Special Team Performance
There was no punting and the kickers made all of their extra points. Derrick McCormack missed his only field goal attempt from over 50 yards out. While it is hard to judge special teams in a setting like this, there are some concerns about who will be Indiana’s place kicker this fall.
Key Stat(s)
0
Curt Cignetti said after the game there were zero major injuries and that is the most important thing in spring practice.
Turning Point
Can there be a turning point in a spring game? If so, see below.
I Knew it Was Over When…
When extreme freshman Drew Shouse scored a touchdown on his only carry in what was also the best moment of the night. Shouse made several defenders miss tackles and was hoisted onto the players shoulders after scoring the winning TD.
Players of the Game
Aiden Fisher, LB
IU Running Game
What I took away from the game
This was the type of event and spring game Indiana needed to have. IU finally got some luck with the weather as storms rolled in after the conclusion of the game. The atmosphere pregame made it seem like this was an event. The band played songs for fans in the concourse and free food is always a great idea. Heck, the weather was so nice there were a handful or more tailgaters in the parking lot. The interest is there and if IU can build a winning program this event can grow.
On the field the Hoosiers got to show how far they have come this spring. Yes, there were mistakes and missed tackles. It’s a spring game. However, the positives outweigh the negatives. IU’s offensive line and running game looked good and much more explosive than the last few seasons. The backs ran hard, made plays in the passing game and showed speed and athleticism.
The quarterback group had a solid night, inconsistent, but solid. Tayven Jackson looked outstanding on the first drive going 7 for 7 for 90 yards and a touchdown, but flashed the inconsistency that plagued him last year. Kurtis Rourke, a veteran transfer from Ohio, shook off early rust to lead three touchdown drives as well. True freshman Tyler Cherry played sparingly. I do not believe there is much of a quarterback competition at the moment, but Cignetti will make whoever is named starter earn it, even if he has a guy circled in his mind.
For not tackling all of spring practice, the defense looked pretty comfortable. The first team defense can be pretty good, while the depth behind them needs to improve and be built. IU will get reinforcements in James Carpenter and Jailen Walker in the fall as they were out or limited all of spring ball.
The number one overall goal was accomplished though. Stay healthy and IU did that well.
What’s Next
The Hoosiers will enter the summer looking to add to the team’s depth from the transfer portal. The players will be in the strength and conditioning program and player run workouts to prepare for fall camp.