Fog Starting to Lift on Indiana's Quarterback Situation

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Indiana quarterback situation has been shrouded in fog from January through week one of the regular season, but that fog is starting to lift after Indiana’s 41-7 win on Friday night.

The Hoosiers started Tayven Jackson against the Sycamores and he commanded the offense well and put up the numbers one would expect to see against an FCS foe. Jackson completed 18-of-21 passes for 236 yards while scoring a touchdown on the ground. Sorsby, who also had a nice showing, completed 9-of-16 passes for 108 yards. Neither threw a touchdown or an interception.

Indiana head coach Tom Allen said after the game that “we said we were going to go back and evaluate both games and make a decision. So we will have a starter for week three.  You know, it will extend to myself and Walt (Bell) and the staff. You know, we won't pull the players. We kind of got a feel for that. I think after having two games, you kind of know how that feels. And honestly, you know, I think our guys played well in both of them, to be honest with you.”

While Allen didn’t officially name a starter, the decision and race is nearing an end. It was a well run race by both quarterbacks and still pretty close, but the fog is clearing and the picture is coming into focus.

“I thought they both commanded the offense. They threw the ball well, ran the ball well, made really good decisions and got spread the ball around.” Allen explained. “And, obviously, to be able to put pressure on them. So just -- we're just going to do what we're going to go, play two games and make a decision.”

If the plan was to make a decision to name a starter after the first two games, like Michigan did in 2022, the time is here.

“I do think it's important to have a guy that you name the starter. I think they both can play. There's no doubt. They both proved they can play.” Allen said after the game.

However, IU will need two quarterbacks. IU nearly had a familiar situation as Jackson was on the ground in pain after a crushing hit. He sat out a play and returned, but it was a scene that surely triggered some PTSD in the fans and coaching staff after the last couple years.

“You need more than one quarterback. We know that, seen this.” Allen explained. “There's no question about it. So whoever's not the starter, has got to be ready to go based on what happens in a game and the situations that occur. And so, it's good to have more than one that I believe can play.”

The fog is lifting, but the sun has not burned through just yet.