2022 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 9 Days (Connor Bazelak)

Written by: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

#9

The Hoosier Huddle countdown to kickoff is just over one week away! For the 100 days leading up to kickoff, we at Hoosier Huddle will feature every player from the 2022 roster in anticipation of Indiana’s first game of the season against Illinois in Bloomington. Today, we will highlight a new addition to the Hoosiers, quarterback transfer Connor Bazelak.

Connor Bazelak (Redshirt Junior)

Hometown: Dayton, Ohio

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 224 Pounds

Position: Quarterback

All signs point to the Indiana quarterback battle being down to two men: Jack Tuttle and today’s feature, Connor Bazelak. Bazelak joins the program as a transfer after spending three seasons and playing 24 games with the University of Missouri. Over that time, he threw for over 5000 yards with 23 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, and a 66.4 completion percentage in 24 games (20 starts). Bazelak was named the SEC Freshman of the Year in 2020 and had three games of over 300-yards passing last season. He made his way to Indiana in the spring, which allowed him to participate in spring practices. His sights are set on the QB1 job.

“I feel really good about where my game is right now,” said Bazelak. “I feel like I'm throwing the ball really well. Hitting deep shots, checking the ball down when I get pressure, and like you said, just learning the offense, getting a better grasp of the offense. I feel really good about where I am.”

Bazelak was also able to spend time this offseason at the Manning Passing Academy, the second time he has been able to participate.

“That experience is awesome,” added Bazelak. “I think the biggest part is just being around other quarterbacks…picking their mind, picking Peyton's mind, Eli, also meeting other college quarterbacks and guys who you're going to be playing against on Saturday, just kind of getting to know them, kind of what they do in their offense and just an unbelievable experience.”

Tom Allen has made it clear that the starter will not be named until kickoff of the first game, but Bazelak has himself in the thick of the completion and fortunately we are just a few days away from kick now.

His One Word for 2022 is Dominate.