Hoosiers: What’s Hot and What’s Cold
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Assistant Editor
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Each week I’ve run down what’s hot and what’s cold with Indiana football. Here’s my last take of the season from Saturday’s 56-36 rout of Purdue in the finale:
HOT
Ted Bolser – Tight end sets a school record for most catches in a career for a player at the position, capping his fifth and final year in Bloomington with 16 yards and a touchdown on three receptions.
Tre Roberson – Quarterback is the most dynamic offensive player in the game, particularly on the ground, as he totals 154 yards on 21 rushes; also ties a school record with six touchdown passes while hitting 25 of 37 throws for 273 yards. Was intercepted twice.
Old Oaken Bucket – Trophy back in Hoosier hands for first time since 2010. Largest win over Purdue in the 116-game series.
Offensive records – In addition to Roberson matching a mark set by Bob Hoernschemeyer in 1943, Indiana concludes 2013 with team season records for points (463), yards (6,102) and touchdowns (62). Victory over Purdue sets single-game record for total offense (692).
Senior contributions – In addition to Bolser, receivers Duwyce Wilson (three catches for 34 yards) and Kofi Hughes (three catches for 64 yards and a TD) and running back Stephen Houston (17 carries for 120 yards and two scores, one catch for 12 yards) all enjoy nice days on offense. Kicker Mitch Ewald makes eight more extra points. Safety Greg Heban helps out in this next category…
Run defense – Unit limits Purdue backs to 29 yards on 11 carries in an eye-opening performance. Four Purdue rushers stopped behind the line of scrimmage.
Incremental progress – Hoosiers conclude year at 5-7, a game better than 2012 and four games above coach Kevin Wilson’s first season.
COLD
Tim Bennett – Cornerback is in coverage on Danny Anthrop’s 80-yard touchdown catch and also can’t stop a 1-yard touchdown run off the right side by Brandon Cottom, with Bennett’s play continuing to trend downward over the second half of the season.
Pass defense – Unit makes Danny Etling look like Dan Marino with 485 yards and four touchdown passes. Replacing Michael Hunter at right cornerback on several series has little tangible effect as Ryan Thompson fails to do much better.
Nate Sudfeld – Quarterback who threw 21 touchdown passes in first 10 games comes off the bench and throws just one pass for an 18-yard gain in season finale.
Follow Chris Goff on Twitter: @chrisgoff_ISL.
