Tim Baldwin's Big Game Was Only a Matter of Time

Tim Baldwin (20) showed why he was a highly sought after prospect Image: Indiana University Athletics

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Indiana running back Stevie Scott saw it coming and one could even say he predicted Tim Baldwin’s big game on Tuesday ahead of Indiana’s win over Maryland on Saturday. Scott should know, he’s Indiana’s starting running back and has 28 career rushing touchdowns which is tied for fourth all-time with Tevin Coleman in Indiana football history.

“Tim is going to be a great player here in a few years.” Indiana running back Stevie Scott said on the Tuesday before the Maryland win. “Once he gets his time to shine, he is going to be great. He is young, but he is learning. He has great mentors ahead of him to show him the ropes and the courses on how to be a college player. Tim comes to practice everyday and is a hard worker. He has a willingness to learn anything that will help his game improve. Just give it one or two years and you will see Tim bursting onto the scene.”

Baldwin’s performance may have come out of the blue for some people. However, he was a solid three-star recruit with offers from Michigan, Boston College, Maryland, Northwestern, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Baldwin also enrolled early at IU to take part in spring practice. He was one of three scholarship running backs, not including David Ellis, in spring practice and showed some flashes before everything shut down. Then Baldwin went under the radar, not because he is not talent or ready, but because the Hoosiers have Stevie Scott and Sampson James in front of him and had moved David Ellis to the position to bolster the depth and football was shut down.

In 2020 anyone and everyone has to be ready to play. The Hoosiers, who were already struggling in the run game, were without Sampson James on Saturday. The door cracked open as everyone behind Stevie Scott slid up a spot.

Baldwin made his collegiate debut in Indiana’s 24-0 win over Michigan State. He carried the ball three times for 18 yards and showed solid effectiveness on those limited carriers. He did not play against Ohio State, but Baldwin had his breakout game on Saturday against Maryland.

Baldwin was IU’s leading rusher as he became the Hoosiers first running back of the season to crack the 100-yard mark. He gained 106 yards on 16 carries. So why was Baldwin, a true freshman, so successful? Let him tell you for himself.

“Honestly just trusting the (offensive)line and trusting the work we put in as running backs and trusting that the coaches are going to make the right call and put us in good positions depending on the angles of the defense and depending on how they fit the run.” Baldwin said after the game Saturday.

Everything the Hoosiers have accomplished this season has been a team effort. When one part of their game isn’t clicking another picks up the slack. That comes with trust, selflessness and veteran leadership and it’s no different in the running back room.

Baldwin credited the backs who have been at IU longer than he has for his success as well. “They helped me a lot: Stevie (Scott), Sampson(James), David (Ellis), all the running backs are helping make sure I am a college running back. The way I came in I was just bursting through the holes, not reading anything. It took me a while to grab patience, you saw what I was able to do today.” Ellis added in his press conference Saturday.

Baldwin’s efforts may have gone under the radar prior to Saturday’s game, but they did not come out of nowhere. Baldwin had a stellar high school career and has caught the coaches’ and his fellow running backs eyes in practice.

With Sampson James’ status unknown heading into the Hoosiers trip to Wisconsin, Baldwin will again receive more carries and opportunities. For the Hoosiers in 2020, when opportunity has knocked for players, they have answered in big ways.