Tim Baldwin's Departure Opens Door for Others to Run Through

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Indiana Hoosiers had yet another running back put his name into the transfer portal on Monday as Tim Baldwin Jr. is looking to transfer from IU. “Tim Baldwin Jr. has chosen to enter the transfer portal and will no longer be with our football team.” Indiana head coach Tom Allen told reporters on Monday morning.

Baldwin Jr. was Indiana’s second string running back and had 28 carries for 103 yards through the first five games this season. After getting 23 carries over the first three games Baldwin only had five over the last two. His fumble in the loss to Cincinnati was costly and he had another fumble late in the win over Western Kentucky was recovered by a teammate.

Allen told reporters Monday that there are several players who can step into the void left by Baldwin. “well there's no doubt it affects our depth without question. So other young men are going to have to step up. We do have several in that room. David Holloman, as i mentioned, as a freshman will have opportunities to be able to step into that role. Charlie Spegal, another young man that's here, has been here in the second season understands our system a big strong young man that has done a good job for us and so he'll get his opportunity as well.”

The Hoosiers have also used walk-ons Davion Ervin-Poindexter and Chris Childers in big spots this season behind starter Stephen Carr.

Allen mentioned he is looking for dependability in his running backs and emphasized that word during his press conference.

“(The) bottom line is that this is a football team and i want guys that are all in bought in and ready to do whatever is necessary and whatever the role may be that they're the guys that we can count on. That they're smart, tough and dependable. That dependability piece is a huge thing so you know that to me is, this is the awesome thing about this sport, that's why i love football so much that you know we always say two things reveal who you really are and that is over time and with pressure. Time and pressure reveal who who we are and they expose things and so to me gives us a chance to really know who our players are and who we can count on and and when things get hard. You want to be able to have guys that you know that you trust and you can depend on them so that's what we're figuring out as this process goes through and that's what adversity does.” Allen said.

The Hoosiers rank 13th in the 14 team Big Ten in rushing yards per game.