State of the Room - IUFB Running Backs

/
State of the Room - IUFB Running Backs

What was supposed to be one of the deepest, most experienced, and most talented position groups for Indiana heading into the 2021 season quickly fell apart due to injury and transfers. Bringing Deland McCullough back on board to replace Mike Hart should be a great move for the program over the next few seasons, but it did make an impact on the immediate roster in 2021. McCullough is a tenacious recruiter and coached backs in the NFL as well as All-B1G backs during his first stint at IU, so he certainly knows what it takes to be a productive back in the Big Ten. With 2021 in the rearview mirror, let’s take a look at where the room stands as of now.

Read More

Indiana Running Back Sampson James Goes Back into the Transfer Portal

/
Indiana Running Back Sampson James Goes Back into the Transfer Portal

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

Former four-star running back and Avon High School product Sampson James has entered the transfer portal and will be leaving Indiana University. James was originally committed to Ohio State University before flipping and staying at home to play for Indiana University. James came to Bloomington with much fanfare but he was stuck behind Stevie Scott for much of his freshman season. He eventually made a pair of starts when Scott was injured and he ran for 275 yards on 81 carries. His best game was in the Old Oaken Bucket with 118 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown to help IU win at Ross-Ade Stadium in 2019.

Read More

New Associate Head Coach Deland McCullough Electrified by the Running Back Unit

/
New Associate Head Coach Deland McCullough Electrified by the Running Back Unit

Written by Zach Green (@Zgreene650)

New Associate Head Coach Deland McCullough sounded impressed by his unit after their first fall practice. Every guy on this unit can ball according to McCullough and he sounded excited to show them what he can do to improve their games.

Read More

Hampered by Injury, Sampson James Gearing Up for 2021 Campaign

/
Hampered by Injury, Sampson James Gearing Up for 2021 Campaign

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

Sampson James was a four-star prospect in Avon High School and used to dominating on the football field. He flipped from Ohio State to Indiana and was the highest-ranked recruit in the 2019 class for the Hoosiers and expectations were sky-high for the running back from the Hoosier state. However, things don’t always go as planned right away. Stevie Scott dominated the carries out of the Indiana backfield during the 2019 season and James struggled to make his way onto the field. When Stevie Scott was injured prior to the regular-season finale against Purdue, James took advantage of his opportunity. He rushed for 118 yards on 22 carries and helped the Hoosiers seize the Old Oaken Bucket.

Read More

Indiana Football Spring Running Back Position Preview

/
Indiana Football Spring Running Back Position Preview

Written by Matt Smith

Indiana has had a long run of strong running backs with names such as Tevin Coleman. Jordan Howard, and Stevie Scott. Scott has opted to declare for the NFL this year, which means a new running back will have to carry the load this year for the Hoosiers.

With the return of Deland McCullough as running backs coach as well as associate head coach, the battle for the position will be very intense during spring practice beginning on Monday.

Read More

2021 Hoosiers Spring Football Preview – Position Battles to Watch

/
2021 Hoosiers Spring Football Preview – Position Battles to Watch

Written by: TJ Inman

With spring practice right around the corner, Hoosier Huddle is ramping up coverage. Today’s focus is on position battles that will begin to be decided during the spring practice period. While it is possible the outcomes of these battles won’t be determined until the fall, spring practice should give the coaches an idea of who can step up and fill the holes left by some important departing players.

Read More

Fixing the Indiana Run Game

/
Fixing the Indiana Run Game

Written By: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

Much was left to be desired from the Indiana run game in the 2020 season.

An inability to dominate the line of scrimmage in run blocking led the Hoosier stable of running backs to average just 3.1 yards per carry. The Hoosiers did not combine for over 1000 yards rushing. At its worst, it was actually harming the team – Indiana rushed for negative yardage in the narrow defeat at Ohio State. The schemes were predictable, too. Stevie Scott carried 156 times, while no other running back handled it more than 32 times.

Read More

Indiana Offensive Keys to the Game: Wisconsin

/
Indiana Offensive Keys to the Game: Wisconsin

Written By: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

Indiana secured it’s fifth win last Saturday after defeating Maryland 27-11, but the story was all about the health of star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Unfortunately, the Hoosiers received the worst-case news Monday when it was confirmed that Penix had torn his right ACL and would miss the remainder of the season. This will be the dominating headline moving forward with this Indiana offense, and the central point of this week’s edition of Indiana’s offensive keys to victory.

Read More

A Struggling Indiana Rushing Attack Looks For Answers Against a Leaky Maryland Run Defense

/
A Struggling Indiana Rushing Attack Looks For Answers Against a Leaky Maryland Run Defense

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Indiana Hoosiers offense is searching for a rushing attack. Despite having talent backs in Stevie Scott, Sampson James and Tim Baldwin the Hoosiers rank 13th in the 14 team Big Ten conference in rushing. The Hoosiers are averaging 76 yards per game and just 2.39 yards per carry. So what’s the issue? Indiana offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan cannot put a finger on a singular issue.

Read More

Indiana Offensive Keys to the Game: Maryland

/
Indiana Offensive Keys to the Game: Maryland

Written By: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

Indiana’s first loss this season was full of offensive storylines. On one hand, Michael Penix and his receivers, especially Ty Fryfogle, packed the box score with career-best performances. On the other hand, the Hoosiers failed to establish any semblance of a run game and dug themselves into a large hole that was ultimately insurmountable, despite a dominant second half.

Read More