Walt Bell and the Offensive Staff Reshaping IU's Offense on the Fly

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Indiana offense sits at 11th in the nation in passes attempted, so it was shocking to see the Hoosiers throw just seven passes in two overtimes against Michigan State. Some of it was the weather, the other part was adapting the offense to the personnel on the field. The Hoosiers have transitioned from pocket passer Connor Bazelak to dual threat Dexter Williams and the IU staff has started to reshape the offense.

“When you've got a system and you've got the tools within the system, we're gonna get to what you need to think that says more about the system itself, you know, and so that our staff has done a tremendous job.” Indiana offensive coordinator Walt Bell said Monday.

The Hoosiers ran the ball for a season-high 257 yards in the win over the Spartans and probably could have rushed for more.

Dexter Williams and the running backs will get the headlines, but the IU offensive line deserves their credit as well. After being ridiculed for nearly two years and going through a mid-year coaching change, the tide may be starting to turn up front.

“You know, they've heard a lot.” Bell said of the offensive line. “They put a lot of pressure on themselves. They have a lot of pride. They have a lot of pride in performance and you know, we got a new quarterback, you know, you're playing big wind real really cold, you know, and we've got some injuries at wide out. And so, for those guys to really kind of own the game. Put the game on their shoulders and know that we had to run the ball successfully to win a game, and they did a great job.”

The IU offense will have to be able to put up points again to beat rival Purdue in the Old Oaken Bucket Game on Saturday evening. The Hoosiers are hoping that the offense can buildoff of the success in the second half against the Spartans. However, Bell is confident that Williams can put the Boilers in conflict on defense because of his dual threat abilities.

“I think first and foremost is just the physical arm talent.” Bell said of Williams. “You know, he can really drive the ball down the field, he's got a big, big, big strong arm, he's a really good reactionary thrower…I think obviously, the conflict that he can create in the C-Gap, you know, with his legs, you know, and he's a guy that can win on third mediums, you know, scramble attempts and things don't go your way and just, you know, just the athleticism that he has. He plays the game really tough.”

The Hoosiers taken on the Boilermakers on Saturday afternoon at 3:30pmET as they try and reclaim the Old Oaken Bucket.