A Struggling Indiana Rushing Attack Looks For Answers Against a Leaky Maryland Run Defense

Image: Indiana University Athletics

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Indiana Hoosiers offense is searching for a rushing attack. Despite having talent backs in Stevie Scott, Sampson James and Tim Baldwin the Hoosiers rank 13th in the 14 team Big Ten conference in rushing. The Hoosiers are averaging 76 yards per game and just 2.39 yards per carry. So what’s the issue? Indiana offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan cannot put a finger on a singular issue.

“I wish it was one thing and certainly if we felt like it was just one thing then we would address that and move forward.” Sheridan said on Monday.

Struggling in the run game has made Indiana one-dimensional. Even though it is a very good dimension as the Hoosiers are second in the conference in passing at 312.2 yards per game and in scoring averaging 34 points per game, it is still a problem that has Sheridan looking under every stone.

“I told the offensive staff yesterday principles are set in stone but methods are not, and of there are things that we feel like we can do whether it is fundamentals schematically, formationally whatever it may be to be more creative to create better angles and leverages for our players so that we can have a better run game than we did on Saturday then we are open to that, and we are exploring any and all options” Sheridan added.

The main concern surrounding the Indiana offensive heading into 2020 was the line and whether or not they could replace three starters lost from 2019. Losing spring practice and having to change drills to account for social distancing hurt the line’s development. It also does not help that the Hoosiers have been hit by the injury bug along the line as well. Opening day starters Michael Katic and Caleb Jones both missed the game against Michigan State and Jones was also sidelined against Ohio State.

“It's just it's constantly that area of recruiting in our offensive line player development of our offensive line I think that group probably is hurt the most during the pandemic. Because of just those guys need the weight room. They need all those workouts they're developmental guys they're more, so maybe than even other positions to get the mass you need the strength and conditioning and just, you know, just to the body types you know when you take time off and your ability to use it, you lose some things” Indiana head coach Tom Allen explained.

Being rusty is different than not performing well over five games. This Indiana rushing attack should be better.

The Hoosiers running attack should get a boost this week as they face the Maryland Terrapins who are ranked dead last in rush defense in the Big Ten in 2020 allowing 227 yards per game. It is a team Indiana should be able to find some holes against and give the running game some much needed confidence. But for now, Indiana is still searching for the ground game.