Winning football teams find ways to get their best players the ball. Facing an Illinois defense that was touted as one of the best run-stopping defenses in the country, many were wondering just how Indiana would use star running back Roman Hemby. The Hoosiers responded with an effective game plan that got Hemby involved early and often, setting the tone for what would quickly become a blowout victory over the ninth-ranked team in the nation.
From Indiana’s very first play from scrimmage, it was clear that they wanted to get the ball to Hemby. The powerful back took the opening handoff for a punishing 7-yard run that set the tone for the rest of the night. As the record-setting crowd of 56,088 Hoosier fans roared to life, it appeared as though the Maryland transfer was going to do what he has been doing all season long, running all over opposing defenses.
The threat of the rushing attack allowed Indiana to create some space in the passing game. On the Hoosiers’ next drive, a 4-yard run from Hemby helped set up a 39-yard pass from Fernando Mendoza to Omar Cooper Jr., leading to Indiana’s second touchdown of the game.
When asked after the game what allowed the Hoosiers to be so dominant, Cooper Jr. said, “I feel like we had a great week consistently in practice this week. The coaches had a great game plan.”
One of the most unique aspects of the gameplan was just how involved Roman Hemby was in the pass game. Throughout the first three games, Hemby had been used almost exclusively as a rusher, running the occasional checkdown route on pass plays. Given Hemby’s speed and size, fans were clamoring to see him get featured more in the passing game.
On Saturday fans got their wish. The full force of Roman Hemby was unleashed on an unsuspecting Illini defense that came into the game with a sky-high confidence level. Hemby quickly humbled the Illini defense as the second quarter began, as he and quarterback Fernando Mendoza connected on a 26-yard catch and run that set the Hoosiers up in the red zone.
Hemby ended the game with 102 all-purpose yards, though his impact was felt far beyond the stat sheet. The mere threat of Hemby in the passing game allowed Indiana’s talented wide receivers to get separation and explode for 267 yards and a whopping five touchdowns.
“If one of us is doing good, then things are gonna open up for the rest of us. They make the job easier for us, and when we have the run game going, it just makes things easier for all three of us.” Wide receiver Elijah Sarratt said after the game.
The offense certainly made things look easy Saturday night, as they put up 8 touchdowns and 579 total yards on their way to a massive 63-10 statement win over a Top-10 opponent. With weapons like Hemby on the field, there is no telling just how far this Hoosiers team will go this season.