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Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
Indiana University announced the indefinite suspension of sophomore running back Morgan Ellison. The details surrounding the suspension have not become public but indefinite suspensions typically are not short-term and it is reasonable to think IU will be without their expected starter at running back for the entirety of the season.
Read MoreWritten by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
The 2018 season draws near! That means it is time for a preseason tradition: position previews. We begin by looking at a position group that is absolutely crucial to Indiana’s success this season. In conjunction with the offensive line, this unit has to step up and help IU’s rushing attack dramatically improve. Today, we preview the running backs.
Read MoreWritten by T.J. Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 183 pounds
Hometown: Miami, FL. (Booker T. Washington High School)
Class/Position: Redshirt Freshman/Running Back
Read MoreWritten by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
The 2017 season was a frustrating one for IU football fans as the Hoosiers looked great at times but ultimately failed to reach a bowl game. One of the primary reasons for the 5-7 record was a lackluster running game that was forced to rely on inexperienced freshmen and an offensive line that was below IU’s recent standards. Heading into 2018, Indiana fans understandably expect much more from the rushing attack.
Read MoreWritten By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
One of the biggest questions coming into spring practice a few weeks ago was, how are the Hoosiers going to improve the run game? The obvious answer is to improve the offensive line and find ways for Morgan Ellison and Cole Gest to be more productive and consistent. The Hoosiers finished 106th nationally in rush offense with 131 yards per game. However, the actual answer is much more complicated.
Read MoreWritten By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
Our next installment of the Spring Practice Preview is the position battle at kick returner. While some may scoff at this and say that kick return is just not that important or we are reaching here, there is immense value in these “hidden” yards. According to Bill Connelly’s book Study Hall which chronicled the 2012 college football season teams that held a significant starting field position advantage tended to win the game more often than not.
Read MoreWritten BY Nathan Comp
After a disappointing rushing attack that finished 12th in the Big Ten in yardage (130 ypg) and scored the fewest touchdowns (11) in 2017, the Hoosiers will attempt to get back on track in the 2018 season. Whether these poor statistics can be blamed on the running backs or the blocking is up for debate, but what is certain is that with a depth chart that possesses more talent heading into the 2018 season, the Hoosiers are primed for steady success. Running backs coach Mike Hart has difficult lineup decisions ahead of him; the running backs boast arguably Indiana’s greatest depth, in a mixture of talented underclassmen and experienced upperclassmen. It is key for Indiana running backs, along with the offensive line, to establish a strong running game to take pressure off the inexperienced quarterback likely to line up alongside them in the backfield. Here’s how I see the depth chart working itself out come September 1st
Read MoreWritten By Nathan Comp
After losing NFL talent and a couple of the all-time greats in Devine Redding, Tevin Coleman, and Jordan Howard, the running back position was certainly a question mark entering the 2017 season. Unfortunately, the results of the rushing game did not live up to the standards of previous seasons. However, even with three transfers at the position, as Tom Allen pears into the cupboard of running back talent this year, he should see that it is stocked for success. It will be important for Indiana to establish a running game this season, even more than last, simply because (unless there is a late grad transfer addition at quarterback) these running backs will be joined in the backfield by the likes of an underclassmen quarterback.
Read MoreWritten By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
Our next ‘Top Five’ list will take a look at who we think are the five sleepers on the Indiana football team that fans need to follow. My definition of a sleeper is a player who has gone under the radar, has been forgotten about or one that can play a big role, but needs to step up in order to do so.
Read MoreWritten by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
Morning temperatures are dropping and you can feel a bit of chill in the air. Summer’s hottest days are in the past and schools are back in session. Most importantly, the long wait is coming to an end…college football season is almost here! As part of our extensive 2017 preview content, Hoosier Huddle is breaking down each position for the Indiana Hoosiers as they grind away on the practice field and get ready for the campaign. Today’s preview focuses on a unit with a whole lot of potential but perhaps just as many questions: running backs. Indiana returns only one rusher with more than 48 carries in a season (Tyler Natee had 61 carries last season) and each of the players have an intriguing skill-set that could be somewhat offset by a flaw. It’s a big group, which could be seen as a positive or a negative. IU’s new running back coach, Mike Hart, had this to say about how the lack of a feature back and the depth of this unit would be balanced: “When you have a big group of guys, keeping them fresh isn’t an issue during training camp. We do have a lot of guys and they have to get carries to see who’s going to go out there and be the guy. When you get to the season and get to playing time you always have to manage reps. The day of the 50 carries a game back is over with, I don’t see that happening much. To me it’s just managing during the game once the season comes, when you find out who you have. Until we find out who we have and who is going to be in those positions, you just roll.”
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