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Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
The Indiana Hoosiers were going to be thin up front on defense already this spring as the defensive line suffered some attrition and some returning players are recovering from off-season surgery. On Monday night Philip Blidi, in line to start on the interior line, entered the transfer portal.
Read MoreWritten by: TJ Inman
Hoosier Huddle is getting ready for the 2024 football season and with a new coaching staff and a totally revamped roster, Indiana Hoosier fans are going to need a roster handy to track all of the new faces. Much attention has been paid to the major revamp on offense under coordinator Mike Shanahan and Tino Sunseri, including our very owner initial depth chart projection just last week. However, the defense needs to be completely rebuilt as well. Once a calling card for Tom Allen’s teams, the IU defense was a sieve for much of the past few seasons. In 2023, Indiana allowed an average of 29.9 points per game including an opposing passer rating of 143.62 and 4.19 yards per rush. There were a few bright spots here and there but the unit was a major disappointment that needs fixed.
Read MoreWritten by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
Indiana defensive lineman Philip Blidi announced Tuesday evening that he would be returning to IU via a post on ‘X’ formerly Twitter. Blidi is cashing in his “covid season” as he has played four years of college football already.
Read MoreWritten by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
The Hoosiers have played five games this season and sit at 2-3 (0-2) as they head into the back half of the schedule. Lately, the issue for IU is falling behind early and having to rely on a struggling offense to climb out of a hole. However, in four of IU’s five games the defense really has struggled to keep opponents off the board not only on the first drive, but in the first half.
Read MoreWritten by: Ethan Roberts (@usaEthanRoberts)
The defensive line is responsible for rushing the passer to prevent explosive plays through the air as well as stopping the run on short-yardage situations. The trenches are an important factor in big third down play that can be the difference between allowing points and getting your quarterback back onto the field. The Hoosiers had a lackluster pass rush in the 2022 campaign. Sack leaders Dasan McCullough and Alfred Bryant both tallied 4 sacks. Bryant has utilized his eligibility and is no longer with the team and McCullough transferred to Oklahoma following the end of the 2022 season. New transfer EDGE Andre Carter (Western Michigan) dominated the MAC with double digits tackles for losses and seven sacks. Defensive coordinator Matt Guerrieri will have a handful this season after losing star pass rusher McCullough but obtaining good depth pieces from the portal.
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