QB Mike Penix Continues to Impress During a Sun Filled Second Scrimmage

Written by Rylie Kyhn

The last day of March brought some sunshine and the first outdoor practice in a long while for the Hoosiers on Saturday morning. There seemed to be an added level of intensity everyone brought with finally getting the chance to be outside of the Mellencamp Pavilion. Head coach Tom Allen made his excitement clear after practice. Saturday was the first bigger scrimmage the Hoosiers have had and Coach Allen was pleased with what he saw on both sides of the ball.

In terms of things on the offensive side, there was one big name that both offensive coordinator Mike DeBord and Coach Tom Allen were talking about. Early enrollee freshman quarterback, Mike Penix. Being an early enrollee is not easy but both made it clear that he has adjusted very well.

“I really am amazed that a guy coming in here, especially a quarterback coming in here starting in January, just what he knows,” said Coach DeBord. “He will continue to get better as he continues to learn but just what he knows right now, is to me, a little big amazing.”

Saturday morning, you could see this on the field. Penix seemed comfortable in the pocket despite only having nine spring practices under his belt. He showed off his arm strength more than once going long down the field. His feet were working as well as he bought himself time on the down field throws by escaping the pocket. There were a few hiccups but that comes with the inexperience and youth of a young quarterback. Making the adjustment coming early from high school and being here can be difficult but it seems that Penix has picked things up quickly.

"I've learned in the short amount of time of having these mid-year guys that it's a much harder process than most people think," said coach Allen. "Most guys who do it are really excited about it but then when they get in it they say, 'Man, this is really hard.' The schedule is different, the classes, it's everything. He doesn't seem to be fazed by that. He doesn't seem to be overwhelmed by the schedule, by all the intensity of everything that you're doing. You're having not just to manage the classroom, but then picking up an entirely new offense he's never even known before.I didn't really expect him to pick it up as quickly as he has.”

Penix is only one of two quarterbacks that saw snaps in the scrimmage, the other being redshirt sophomore, Peyton Ramsey, who coach DeBord said is handling the competition well.

“Peyton is a competitor. He is going to line-up and compete every down no matter what. Peyton is not a guy that looks over his shoulder, if he’s got the opportunity he’s going to compete and play well,” said Debord.

It wasn’t all offense on Saturday. Overall, the competition was strong on both sides of the ball. “There was a lot of teaching and back and forth. The offense started fast and did some good things and then the defense there in the middle part of the scrimmage started taking control, forcing punts and getting three and outs and getting off the field,” said coach Allen.

With the graduation of many defensive starters from last season, it truly has been a spring of adjustments, growth and learning. The youth and learning has meant the older more experienced players have been forced to step up and be vocal leaders. This is something that you could hear and see throughout practice. Senior defensive lineman Jacob Robinson may not have been able to participate in the scrimmage, due to injury, but he made his presence felt on the sideline. Every time a group of defenders came off the field Robinson was the first to give out high fives and words of encouragement or suggestions. You could tell how much he wanted to be out there on the field but he didn’t let that stop him from contributing in all the ways he could.

Robinson is a player that the coaches talked about coming into the season about how his role has expanded now as a senior with an larger leadership role. “The thing he brings, he’s got so much experience. He has played so much football,” said coach Allen.

“I think that when you’ve sat in that seat and you know what this feels like, you can provide so much help to these younger guys and we are a very young team overall so we need that,” said coach Allen.

Although this is a young group they seem to be picking up the defense and learning quickly. There were a few penalties and third-downs that they didn’t convert on but as a whole they looked like they are picking up where they left off last season with some adjustments thrown in.

Redshirt senior, defensive lineman, Nile Sikes is a player that the Hoosiers will look forward to having back and one that coach Allen has talked highly of upon his return. “He gives us a pass rush,” said Coach Allen. “The ‘twitchiness’ that he brings, the ability it provides us not to always have to bring pressure, to bring blitzes to get pressure on the quarterback.”

Saturday his presence was felt on the field with his ability to rush the quarterback. “He's bigger and stronger. He's quicker. He benefited from having some time. Physical strength wasn't one of his assets a year ago. Now, having had all this time to do it and benefiting from our new strength staff, he's changed his body in a good way. He has to continue to do that,” said Coach Allen.

As far as special teams goes, the fact that Saturday was their first chance at getting outside this spring was quite a big factor in play. “We have really struggled to get quality reps because of being indoors so much. This was the first time we have been able to be outside in awhile so when you punt it’s not really realistic being indoors,” said Coach Allen.

They are shuffling guys in and out trying to work out the kinks with that aspect of the team. With the first big scrimmage outside in the stadium, the Hoosiers clearly seem to be making progress with the adjustments before wrapping up the spring season in two weeks with the Cream and Crimson scrimmage.

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