Hoosiers Survive Defensive Growing Pains With Three Takeaways

Gavin Everett and the IU defense took the ball away three times on Saturday night Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle

Written By Nathan Comp

The 2017 Indiana defense was an impressive unit. Led by veterans Tegray Scales, Chris Covington, and Rashard Fant, the defense forced more three-and-outs per game than any other defense in the nation and kept a weaker Indiana offense in games week after week. As good as it was, there was one gaping hole in its accomplishments: takeaways. Tonight, despite numerous gaping weaknesses and inexperience on the defense, Indiana got back to takeaways and it ultimately propelled them to a 38-28 nonconference road win.

 After forcing 23 takeaways in the 2016 season, the 2017 defense floundered with only 13. It wasn’t until the third game, against a much weaker opponent in Georgia Southern, that Indiana tallied its third takeaway. Tonight, it took Indiana just the first half to tally the same number, highlighted by experienced senior leader Jonathan Crawford’s second forced turnover of the half, an interception that was returned 33 yards for a touchdown. Crawford was ecstatic about the accomplishment after the game, saying, “It’s something that I wanted all summer, something I’ve been thinking about. The fact that I got it means the world.” Crawford showed throughout the game that, at the moment, he is likely Indiana’s best defender. An earlier forced fumble by Crawford, along with a botched handoff that led to a fumble recovery by Nile Sykes, accounted for the Hoosiers’ remaining takeaways. Without these momentum-changing plays, Indiana may not have escaped Riccardo Silva Stadium with a victory.

Outside of takeaways, the Indiana defense left room for improvement. “[They were] just okay. I’m not gonna say not very good. Probably a bad thing to say. They had 327 yards, which isn’t too many yards in today’s game. But 28 points is too much,” said Coach Allen about his defense’s performance. Although 327 yards is not awful, what was more disappointing for Allen was the way those 327 yards were gained. The Indiana front seven struggled to stop the Golden Panthers rushing attack the entire game, especially down the stretch. FIU finished with 170 yards on the ground and 3 rushing touchdowns. The interior defensive line struggled to get pressure on the FIU offensive line, which opened up holes for their rushing attack and left defenders on the second-level of the defense forced to make open field tackles. Their youth showed in penalties and inexperienced reads. But…

That’s okay. The Indiana defense will improve, have no doubt. After losing seven starters from the 2017 season, expecting the same performance is unreasonable. True freshman could be found all over the field (9, to be exact), some of which were even playing both sides of the ball (Reese Taylor). Even veteran Marcelino Ball had freshman moments in coverage as he shakes off the rust from missing the majority of last season. Add in the fact that the first game was on the road, and vulnerabilities were expected to be found. But Tom Allen defenses are different than Indiana defenses of the past. What you see Week One will not be what you see Week Twelve. This defense has speed, athleticism, and fight. They will continue to improve. And despite not playing their best game, they forced three takeaways and Indiana left a Week One non-conference road game victorious. That’s no minor accomplishment.