Match-up To Watch: Indiana's Devine Redding vs. Northwestern's Anthony Walker

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Written By Alex Compton

Matchup to Watch: Indiana vs. Northwestern

Take away the first 9 or so minutes of the game, and IU likely wins on Homecoming. The games are 60 minutes for a reason however, and Indiana has now suffered two straight tough losses. This week presents an interesting challenge, as the once left-for-dead Wildcats of Northwestern are rolling after impressive wins against Iowa and Michigan State. The defense has been spotty at times, while the offense seems to be playing as well as anyone is the league. IU will have their hands full as they look to stop a two game skid, but it is certainly a winnable ballgame. Indiana will need a total team effort to win on the road this weekend, but one matchup that I will be looking out for will have a big impact on Indiana’s offense, and chances of pulling out a road W.

Devine Redding vs. Anthony Walker Jr.

What is wrong with the running game? Devine Redding proved last season that he could produce in a feature back role. He has certainly not been his normal self so far this season however, and this disappearance has left Kevin Johns searching for answers. The losses of Dan Feeney and Dimitric Camiel have obviously hurt the running game, but Redding is good enough to be turning the two yard rushes into three or four yarders on his own. Since week one, this has just not been the case at all. The running game has been completely stagnant, and Redding has struggled to find the cutback lanes when they have appeared. The offensive line is not the same without Feeney and Camiel, but it’s not all on them. Redding has to better, and it won’t get any easier for him this weekend as he will face one the B1G’s top defensive lines and linebacker. 

While he was probably hyped up a little bit too much in the preseason by the Northwestern media, Anthony Walker Jr. certainly is one of the league’s best backers. Elite athleticism and awareness make him a premier defender, and he rarely misses a tackle when he has the chance to make one. Redding’s problem of late has been his inability to make guys in the second level miss. Once he gets past the defensive line, his normal cutbacks and stutter steps just haven’t been part of his game recently for whatever reason. Redding was really effective at getting past the linebackers and into the secondary on the ground during the last two seasons, but this year he just can’t seem to get past those pesky LB’s. 

Walker presents an interesting challenge for Redding this Saturday, because he loves to play downhill and attack opposing running backs. Like I mentioned earlier, he doesn’t miss many tackles when he has ball carriers lined up. If Redding can manage to get by Walker Jr. with a full head of steam though, he should be able to pick up those nice chunks of yardage that we have become accustomed to seeing from him and other IU backs. There will be some plays that get absolutely blown up by Walker Jr., and some where some holes will open up due to his over pursuit and desire to try and make the big play. If Redding can take advantage of the chances that will present themselves throughout the ballgame, he should have no problem getting himself and this running game back on track. If he struggles to make guys in the second level miss again? Well let’s just say the offense will look too much like last week’s. 

Other Notes On This Matchup:

Devine Redding’s touchdown on a reverse play was just the third rushing touchdown of the season for Indiana. Richard Lagow had a keeper in the opener against FIU, and Tyler Natee scored a wildcat touchdown against Wake Forest. Let’s hope Redding and co. can find the end zone a bit on Saturday to take some pressure off of Richard Lagow. 

Anthony Walker Jr. 2016 Stats (6 Games):

  • 40 tackles
  • 24 solo tackles
  • 3.5 tackles for loss
  • 2.0 sacks