Game Wrap and Reaction: Indiana 41 Indiana St. 7

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Opponent: Indiana State Sycamores

Location: Bloomington, Indiana

Why They Played: The Hoosiers and Sycamores met for the seventh time as part of IU’s non-conference schedule.

What The Game Meant: While this was a mismatch of talent, the game was a chance for IU to flex their muscles, get out to a big lead and play their reserves to build depth.

Top Offensive Performers

Indiana Running Game- The Indiana running game did what it should do against an inferior opponent, dominate. Jaylin Lucas showed off his speed to the tune of two touchdowns and 88 yards. Josh Henderson bullied his way to 60 yards and a touchdown while Christian Turner added 11 yards and a score. Trent Howland added 19 yards. In total IU ran for 223 yards, five touchdowns and averaged 5.1 yards per carry.

Tayven Jackson, QB, Indiana- Jackson all but cemented his spot as QB 1. He finished 18-of-21 passing for 236 yards and added a touchdown on the ground.

Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana- It took a year, but this was the early season breakout game Omar Cooper has been looking for. He made seven catches for 101 yards.

Top Defensive Performers

Lanell Carr, DL, Indiana- Carr had impressed all fall camp and it showed Friday night. He made four tackles including his first sack and totaled 1.5 tackles for loss.

Nic Toomer, CB, Indiana- The entire secondary shutdown the Sycamore passing game, but Toomer came away with the interception. 

Andre Carter, DL, Indiana- Carter had a ho-hum two tackles for loss again. He’s the best player on the defense and is one his way to a special season.

Maddix Blackwell, CB, Indiana State- Blackwell could be the Sycamores’ best offensive player as well. His 75-yard return of a fumble for a touchdown was ISU’s only points on the night. He also led the Sycamores in tackles with nine.

Special Team Performance

There’s good news and bad news with special teams. The good news Chris Freeman and Nicolas Radicic each made their field goal attempts. There were not holding or blocks in the back on punt or kick returns.

The bad news is that there were still critical errors in this phase of the game that could cost IU games in the future. The Hoosiers ran into the punter twice, once with Andre Carter. They had two kicks go out of bounds (one each by Freeman and Quintaro). They were called for a kick catch interference penalty and Jaylin Lucas muffed a punt.

Key Stat(s)

17

 The Hoosiers had 17 explosive chunk plays, which are passes over 15 yards and runs over 10 yards. They had nine through the air and eight on the ground. 

Turning Point

The turning point came early when Jaylin Lucas turned the corner and raced to the endzone for the first of his two scores.

I Knew it Was Over When…

Indiana scored on their second drive in the second half to make it 31-7.

Players of the Game

Jaylin Lucas, Indiana- Lucas’s 137 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns was the poster child for the talent difference between IU and ISU.

Maddix Blackwell, Indiana State- The Bloomington native had a big day in his hometown. Nine tackles and a defensive score.

What I took away from the game

While what one takes out of a game against an FCS foe is weighted, there are plenty of things to take note of in Indiana’s 41-7 win. First, this is what IU’s offense wants to look like. IU took some deep shots, but ran the ball extremely well and used the short passing game to keep the offense moving.

There is nothing official, but the Hoosiers look like they have their starter at quarterback…for now. Both Tayven Jackson and Brendan Sorsby played well and took care of the ball, but the offense was just a bit crisper with Jackson behind center. I fully expect him to be named the starter this week ahead of the Louisville game. However, I don’t think this is the last you’ll see of Sorsby.

Indiana’s wide receivers had a very solid night and showed what kind of depth they have after Cam Camper and E.J. Williams left the game with injuries (no updates). It would be a major blow though, if those two cannot play next weekend

Defensively, IU dominated and you saw Tom Allen empty the bench. They held Indiana State to under 100 total yards and did what they wanted to do. They will be in for a battle next week against Louisville’s speed on the edge.

There is plenty to clean up as well. Jaylin Lucas put the ball on the turf twice and the penalties on special teams will bite them in the rear end if they are not careful. However, the Hoosiers enter the first toss-up game in pretty good shape.

What’s Next

Indiana will take on the Louisville Cardinals at Lucas Oil Stadium. IU has eight days to prepare for a familiar foe in Jeff Brohm and heal up. It is the first of seven toss-up games for IU.