Cream and Crimson Game Day Primer
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Written by T.J. Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
Game Day Primer
What: Indiana University Spring Game (Cream vs. Crimson)
Where: Memorial Stadium
When: Friday, April 12 at 7:00 pm
How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on BTN.
What’s at Stake: In truth, there is not much at stake. This is a fun event that is put on for the benefit of the players and the fans and it should be viewed as such. That’s not to say this isn’t important. This is the final chance during spring practice for the players and coaches to be together as a team. Players will be looking to prove themselves in as close to a game as we will see prior to the 2019 opener against Ball State. The Hoosiers also have a pair of new coordinators that will be hoping to get a feel for their personnel for the first time in a quasi-game setting.
Scoring: The offenses will score points in the traditional sense: touchdowns will be worth six points and field goals will be worth three. The defense will also have an opportunity to earn points: a stop is worth two points, three and outs, fourth down stops and missed field goals are worth three points, a takeaway or a safety are worth five and a defensive touchdown is worth seven.
Game Format: “We're going to do 15-minute quarters with a running clock. It will be live tackling, and it will be offense versus defense. Cream will be offense, Crimson will be defense. Peyton (Ramsey) will be the quarterback during the live sessions. It will give us a chance to get him a lot of reps there.
“In between the first and second quarter, at the beginning of the halftime break, and in between the third and fourth quarter, we're going to have a 7-on-7 opportunity to move the football with Mike Penix. It will be full-bore, full-speed, with tagging off just like we do in practice during those 7-on-7 sessions. I think that will be a really good way for us to get him involved and get the reps we need (for) him in the pass game.
“We have some guys that have been limited due to some offseason surgeries, so they've been in blue jerseys throughout spring and have never gone live. Those guys will all be participating in the 7-on-7 portion as well. There will be guys on offense and defense that will do both (live and 7-on-7).”
Fan Festivities:
Youth Football Clinic - 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Memorial Stadium Field
• Children ages 5-12 are invited to participate in a special one-hour youth football clinic on the Memorial Stadium Field.
• The non-contact clinic (no helmets or pads) will feature eight different stations and the clinic coaches will be former IU football players.
• Coach Tom Allen will meet with clinic participants at midfield and a high-five tunnel will be built by current Indiana football players.
• Children participating in the clinic must have a signed waiver.
• Parents and guardians should bring clinic participants to the East side of Memorial Stadium at Entry 25 for check-in beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Spring Game Tailgate Party & Fan Zone - 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Free Hot Dogs, Brats, Chips & Drinks
• Free hot dogs, brats, chips and drinks will be available on the Memorial Stadium Sample Terrace and Knothole Park.
• Additionally, inflatable games and Selfie Stations will be available to fans. IU Football schedule posters, team rosters and schedule cards will be distributed as well.
• Memorial Stadium concessions stands will also be open that evening for the game.
• Special behind-the-scenes tours of Memorial Stadium will be available to fans from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
2019 Cream & Crimson Game, Presented by Smithville - 7 p.m.
Memorial Stadium
• Preview the 2019 Indiana Hoosiers. Admission to the Cream & Crimson Game is free.
• Players will warm-up starting at approximately 6 p.m.
• At halftime, Coach Allen will speak and recognize players for spring practice awards.
• After the game, the team will sign autographs on the field.
• Parking is free.
Things to Watch
1. Familiar Faces in New Places
The Indiana coaching staff has made several public comments about “getting their best players on the field”. This means being flexible with formations and personnel and versatile players have been “cross-trained” this offseason to play multiple spots on the field, again, in an effort to get as much talent as possible on the field. Cam Jones has lined up at safety, linebacker, Husky and even as a stand-up pass rusher. Reese Taylor was moved from offense to full-time defensive back in order to help him maximize his potential as a player and grow into a force in the secondary. Many others have been worked at different positions and lined up in different ways. This will be our first chance to see a glimpse of what the coaches have in store for some of the versatile talents the Hoosiers have.
2. Quarterback Conundrum
The Indiana quarterback position is as interesting and exciting as I can remember the position being in quite some time (Tre Roberson, Nate Sudfeld and Cam Coffman is the only thing that comes to mind). Unfortunately, we won’t see the entirety that on Friday. Redshirt freshman Jack Tuttle is out with an illness and Michael Penix has been limited as he recovers from his ACL injury. Peyton Ramsey, the veteran of the group and last year’s starter, is going to get the bulk of the work during the game. It will be a chance to see if there has been any progression in his arm strength. Michael Penix has had the majority of the snaps in 7-on-7 work and the coaching staff is hoping to get him some snaps during the contest. If Peyton Ramsey struggles on Friday, the clamor for Penix or Tuttle to be the week one starter will only grow louder as we head into the summer.
3. Speed Kills
The one constant from the offseason has been talk of speed, particularly on the defense. Observers at practice and coaches alike have often pointed out how fast the defense is moving and how the secondary and linebackers are “flying around” and creating issues for the offense. Seeing that on the turf of Memorial Stadium, even in an exhibition setting, is something I am very much looking forward to.
While the spring game is simply an elevated practice that signals the end of spring ball, it is a fun event that serves as a marker that the 2019 season is creeping ever closer. The hard work the Hoosiers have put in will be on display and fans will get their first look at the progress that has been made and the work that is still left to be done.