Stevie Scott Quietly Doing it 'All' for Indiana's Offense
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Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
While Indiana wide receiver Whop Philyor is grabbing the spotlight while leading the Big Ten in catches and receiving yards, teammate Stevie Scott is quietly putting together a terrific all-around year.
Last season, Scott made his mark running the ball as he rushed for 1,137 yards. This season, Scott has become a receiving threat as well as defenses have a difficult time covering everyone on the Indiana offense. Yes, Scott has 621 yards on the ground and is averaging a healthy 5.09 yards per carry. However, he has added a dimension that was missing last season. Through eight games this year, Scott has caught 22 passes for 187 yards. He is averaging 101 all-purpose yard per game, which is good for 10th in the Big Ten.
Scott has had big second halves over the last month and his hard-noised running has been able to pick up key first downs late in the game. Heading into last Saturday’s game at Nebraska Scott had picked up 12 first downs on third downs that were between one and three yards., which is good for the most in the nation. That speaks volumes about the toughness of the offensive line and Scott.
Is Indiana doing something different to feature Scott more in the passing game? Let Kalen DeBoer and Peyton Ramsey help answer that.
“The biggest thing is probably protection checks we're allowing our o-line to slide two different guys and we're letting Stevie get out in the route and we're checking it down to him,” Ramsey said on Monday afternoon. “If guys aren't there. And you've seen we've been able to throw the ball down the field pretty well so you know there's teams that are backing off of us and certain formations and different things so Stevie, you know he's just sitting out there on the flat sometimes again him getting him the ball in space. You never know what's gonna happen so that's been good for us” Ramsey added.
The Hoosiers have the top passing attack in the Big Ten this year and have taken far more shots down field, which has led to opposing defenses to loosen up.
First year Indiana offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer praised Scott on Monday as well.
“I just think he's doing a great job,” DeBoer said, “all around. He's letting the game come to him.”
Scott is just a sophomore, but he has made his mark at IU. “He's a great team player,” DeBoer added, “I think he's becoming even a better leader, each and every week. And, you know, not just a guy but, you know, a leader in our football team so really pleased with the strides Stevie's made that he's matured a lot.”
Scott has seven touchdowns on the year as well as 808 all-purpose yards. While the Indiana run game is not what it was last season, Scott has quietly put together a really good sophomore campaign. Scott and the Hoosiers who are 6-2 play Northwestern on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium.