Hoosiers Looking to Create Conflict in the Backfield With Henderson and Lucas

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Indiana Hoosiers may have found something in their running game in the final quarter of the 2022 season with backs Josh Henderson and Jaylen Lucas. In 2023 Tom Allen and the offensive staff want to create more conflict for the defense with getting IU’s best players on field at the same time.

“It's the reality of just getting the best players on the field.” Allen said. “We have some talented running backs and Jaylin (Lucas) has proved he can do a lot of special things with the ball in his hands and especially in space and so (we) want to maximize that so that will look a little different in some ways and, and just try and find creative ways to get into football.”

IU has the personnel to get creative in formations and personnel groupings. Which helps the offense go fast because running backs like Henderson and Lucas can be used interchangeably with a receiver, meaning the offense does not have to substitute.

Henderson brings the boom while Lucas brings the zoom for the Hoosiers offense. In his first season as a transfer from North Carolina, Henderson ran the ball 90 times for 398 yards and four touchdowns. Henderson also provided a receiving threat when he lined up both in the backfield and in a receiver position as he made 24 catches for 274 yards and another four touchdowns. Those totals made Henderson IU’s third-leading receiver in 2022.

Indiana and the Big Ten saw what Lucas brings to the offense late last season as the true freshman had 255 yards rushing with two touchdowns over the last eight games. Lucas, who may move to the slot to help this cause, caught 16 passes for 82 yards.

While all of this hinges on the offensive line creating both time and space for the running backs, the blueprint is there for the Hoosier offense to create some matchup conflicts for an opponent’s defense.