Stock up/Stock Down Indiana at Iowa

The Indiana Hoosiers came out of Iowa City with a 20-15 win over the Hawkeyes on Saturday afternoon and entered the bye week 5-0 (2-0). The Hoosiers are ranked 8th in the AP poll and now have two weeks to get ready for 2nd ranked Oregon in Eugene. The market on IU took a couple hits Saturday, let’s check out the portfolio.

Stock Up

Special Teams

Indiana’s special teams was a major reason why IU defeated Iowa on Saturday. Kickoff specialist Brendan Franke effectively took Kayden Wetjen out of the kick return game with four touchbacks on five kickoffs. Nico Radicic nailed two longer field goals in clutch situations and Isaiah Jones blocked yet another punt.

Elijah Sarratt

Sarratt was money in crunch time with four fourth quarter catches for 127 yards and a touchdown. He finished the game with seven catches for 156 yards. For 16 games now, he has been the go-to receiver when IU needs a big play. 

Isaiah Jones

Isaiah Jones has been so good this season and built upon a very solid 2024 season. He’s doing it both on defense and special teams. His pass deflection set up IU’s first interception and he added half a sack on defense. Jones also blocked a punt. 

Stock Down

Coaching on the Road

What bugs me the most is that Curt Cignetti said that he and his staff got “spooked” when Iowa got early pressure on Mendoza. Is there a lack of faith in the offensive line? Are they that easily spooked where it’ll affect play calling for most of the day? That’s a concern going into the Oregon game in two weeks. Going back to the Notre Dame game it has been concerning how IU shriveled up when things weren’t easy early on.

Silent Snap Count

The flashing of the hand silent count needs to change. It didn’t work at Ohio State last season and it nearly cost you the Iowa game this year. It is a major reason why Iowa got so much pressure on Mendoza. It is really difficult to block and pick up blitzes when the defense can time up the snap. The Hoosiers have two weeks to figure out a change up.

Hold

D’Angelo Ponds Health

All-American D’Angelo Ponds missed Saturday’s game and it did affect how IU played defense. While Ryland Gandy did a good job, IU didn’t play as much press-man defense as they normally do. Ponds was listed as questionable and went through a short warmup in full uniform, but did not play. There has been no official update on his health (maybe next monday?), but the fact he went through some drills could mean he isn’t too far off.