Hoosiers: What’s Hot and What’s Cold
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Assistant Editor
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Each week I’ll run down what’s hot and what’s cold with Indiana football. Here’s my take from Saturday’s 52-35 victory over Illinois:
HOT
Cody Latimer – Wide receiver delivers the best game of his career with 11 catches for 189 yards and three touchdowns, with splendid efficiency. Only once did Latimer not come up with a pass targeted for him.
Tevin Coleman/run game – Running back finishes with a career-high 215 yards on 15 carries (14.3 avg.) with two touchdowns, as the Hoosiers outrun the Illini. No one in the FBS has more runs of at least 40 yards this season than Coleman (eight). The Hoosiers control the game by keeping it on the ground 38 times, beating Illinois with an unexpected approach of pounding from spread formations.
Kevin Wilson and risks – The Hoosiers coach, who likes to leave his offense on the field on fourth downs, goes for it three times and is successful on all three. One was a key decision in the game, as Wilson shocked many by gambling on fourth-and-1 from his own 34. That led to Indiana moving all the way down the field and scoring a tying touchdown midway through the third quarter.
Nate Sudfeld – Quarterback reclaims hold on starting job on a day when the Hoosiers were missing three starting offensive linemen. He finishes 20-of-27 for 267 yards with three touchdowns and one interception while bouncing back from three sacks.
COLD
Rankings – While assessing a defense by yardage is not the best measure, it remains the prevailing one. Indiana now ranks 122nd of 125 FBS teams in yards allowed per game. The Hoosiers have given up 1,936 yards in their past three contests.
Third-down defense – The Hoosiers finish with two three-and-outs and one four-and-out on defense, but let Illinois go 11-of-19 on third down. One play stands out above the pack, as Steve Hull – formerly a safety – gets open in front of Indiana’s safeties to pick up a third-and-22.
Tre Roberson– Backup quarterback is held to 16 yards on four carries, and also throws just one pass, completing it for a gain of 12.
Discipline – Personal foul penalties by defensive linemen David Kenney (targeting), Ryan Phillis (late hit out of bounds) and Ralph Green (unnecessary roughness), combined with illegal blocks by Duwyce Wilson and Jake Michalek, will provide some downers when coaches review the film.
Follow Chris Goff on Twitter: @chrisgoff_ISL.
