Indiana's Defensive Keys to Victory at Rutgers

Photo courtesy of indiana university athletics

Written by Amanda Pavelka (@AmandaPavelka3)

After celebrating the a tremendous, against-all-odds victory over nationally-ranked Penn State, the No. 17 Hoosiers hit the road to New Jersey. Perhaps more important than the defeating Penn State is the one the challenge that lies ahead in Piscataway, where the Hoosiers go head-to-head with Rutgers. Kickoff is set for 3:30 ET, and here are the IU’s defensive keys to bringing home a victory.

Contain Noah Vedral 

It won’t be the first time the Hoosier defense has dealt with Noah Vedral. As a Husker last year, he had his best completion percentage game against the Hoosiers with his 14-of-16 (87.5%) for 201 yards. Last Saturday against Michigan State, Vedral completed 18 of 29 for 169 yards. Not only can Vedral throw down field, he can run. In case you missed it, he dodged past and outran defenders for a 24-yard touchdown last Saturday against Michigan State. 

“Vedral was the quarterback for Nebraska when we played them last year,” CB Jaylin Williams said, “He hurt us with his legs, so that is what we have been practicing for. He can throw the ball, too, best of both things. We are just being cautious of those two things because he can run and throw the ball. He is a big piece of that offense, so we have to keep our eyes on him.”

Stop Vedral to Pacheco Connection

Isaih Pacheco is the running back IU needs to come in with a plan for on Saturday. As a sophomore last season, Pacheco led Rutgers with 729 yards on 169 carries and seven touchdowns in 11 games for an average of 66.3 rushing yards per game and 4.31 yards per carry. He’s a first down machine, and if IU doesn’t find a way to stop him, they’ll be in trouble in Piscataway. 

Against an offense like Rutgers’ the Hoosiers’ best option is to force Vedral to pass the football. 

Protect Michael Penix 

It was the defense that needed improvement in last season’s home opener, but for 2020 it was the offense, and offensive line specifically that stuck out as one of the groups that needed work. 

The Hoosiers were down 21-20 to Penn State with 2:30 to play, and had possession of the football. On the first and second play of the drive, the offensive line failed and Penix was sacked totaling a loss of 11 yards. On third down the o-line let up and allowed a QB hurry which forced an incompletion. 

"I was disappointed in our offensive line," Allen said. "I am just going to call what it is. I just did not think we played as well as I believe we can."

IU football can’t afford to lose yards, no matter what time of the game, and protecting Michael Penix and his arm is the key for IU’s offense to reach new heights and has to be a priority. 

Focus 

Maybe the most important challenge for the IU defense is mental. After upsetting Penn State and playing a great game, they’re on cloud nine. It was a confidence boost for the same defense that missed 25 tackles in their season opener against Ball State last year, to do an excellent job in their first game against a squad like Penn State. 

“After the 'W' against Penn State, it just felt that we were ready as a defense and that we need to step up a little bit more to make sure that a close game would not be that close after all,” CB Reese Taylor said. 

Rutgers is also high off a 38-27 road win over Michigan State that slashed their 21-game Big Ten losing streak. This Saturday could turn into a close one, so the defense needs to bring their A-game and focus to New Jersey.