'Negative Plays' Hinders the Indiana Offense as they Travel to Nebraska

Written by Matt Smith

The Indiana offense had their first road test of the season Saturday as they traveled to Cincinnati to take on the Bearcats. The offense struggled mightily on the road and wasn’t able to get much going during the first half as they scored 10 points.

“Negative plays, lack of big plays in the run game, that’s a big deal, and lack of efficiency in the run game,” Walt Bell said during his Monday morning press conference. 

Bell went on to talk about the game coming down to two critical moments, the game started poorly, but the 4th-and-1 on the 50 yard line, and they jumped offsides. They also had another chance to get the game to a one possession game and were unable to finish the job.

Indiana currently sits last in the Big Ten in tackles for loss allowed with 28 over four games and tied for 11th in sacks allowed with nine.

Hoosier quarterback Connor Bazelak is leading the nation currently in pass attempts per game, as the run game struggles to stay consistent.

“Everyday arm care pre practice, every day arm care post practice,” Bell said regarding taking care of Bazelak’s arm. “For the really good ones, the ball doesn’t get too heavy.”

Bell said they didn’t plan on throwing the ball 66 times on Saturday but the run game and the fact that they were trailing by that much forced his hand.

The Hoosiers now have four games under Bell’s offense and there have been ups and downs throughout the entire season.  Bell’s offense is quick and getting to the line of scrimmage fast to keep the defense on their toes.

“It’s been incredibly valuable to us,” Bell said. “Now the execution has to match the pace.”

Josh Henderson was one of the bright spots for the Hoosiers against Cincinnati making plays in both the run game as well as the passing game.

“Everybody who has ever been around him, everyone just raved about what kind of kid he is,” Bell said. “Like a broken record, the kids who want to come to a place like this and play for a man like Tom Allen, they’re usually really good people.”

The Offense so far into the season has been slow to begin the game, and Bell took the blame for that. He said it was “our” fault as everyone in the building has to be better. 

“That is the great thing about this group is that they are incredibly self critical but never to a fault,” Bell said. “They are going to do everything they can to improve and move forward.”

One of the biggest disappointments from Saturday was the offensive line. There were some injuries to the line, but Bazelak barely had time to throw the ball and seemed to be uncomfortable in the pocket for much of the game.

“Number one, we have to do everything in our power to have our best five guys out there,” Bell said. “Those guys in certain situations have to be better, and I’ve got to do my part and not only protect [Connor] but also protect our football team.”