The No. 13 team in the nation has been coached to give effort and the coaching staff returns the favor. Now this undefeated Indiana Hoosier squad is reaping the rewards. ESPN’s College Gameday show is setting up on the South Lawn of Memorial Stadium.
“Yeah, they're here for a reason,” Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti said Monday. “We're winning games, creating a lot of excitement. That adds to the excitement. Once again, we got to do our part.”
Cignetti has reinforced that the players need to do their part — give effort, play hard and fast on a weekly basis. That’s translated to the No. 1 scoring offense in the country (48.7 PPG) and No. 7 scoring defense (13.7).
Indiana will lean on an experienced backup quarterback
Redshirt senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke has been at the helm of an offense that ranks at No. 5 in total offense but will be sidelined with a thumb injury for at least this week. Redshirt sophomore Tayven Jackson reclaims the starting job after starting in five games last season. Jackson’s effort and attitude have allowed for continuous opportunities.
The backup QB coming in for Indiana in this circumstance has brought worry among Hoosier fans but not within the Hoosier locker room, redshirt sophomore wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. said Tuesday.
“He came out of halftime and led us to three, four more scoring drives so it’s showing us he has the abilities to continue to keep this team rolling and he’s going to do a really good job,” Cooper said.
Jackson showed his sharpened skill set on Saturday. Cignetti gave props to both Jackson and the coaches including quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri who helped the former 4-star prospect improve.
“I just think we do a nice job developing quarterbacks. It's a group effort, team effort,” Cignetti said on Monday. “Since Tino has been here, I think he's taken those guys to another level. This will be his fourth year with me, yeah.”
After a gorgeous over-the-shoulder ball to Elijah Sarratt and a 7-for-8 passing performance, Tayven had Hoosier fans waving ‘Study Later’ towels on their feet. The backup QB was bringing out even more excitement from Memorial Stadium, something that didn’t seem possible after hearing the first half of the game.
Washington comes to B-Town for the second time ever
The Huskies are returning four whole starters from a team that were national runner-ups just a season ago. Washington also has a new head coach, Jedd Fisch, and coaching staff. Fisch’s Huskies are 4-3 (2-2) and having an interesting season post championship appearance.
This is the fourth time the two teams have played, and the first since 2003. Indiana has won two of the three matchups, including the one meeting in Bloomington in 1978.
They’ve been putrid away from home. They haven’t scored over 20 in a game outside of Husky Stadium in Seattle, including a 40-16 loss at Iowa last weekend.
Statistically the Washington offense has been a top 25 unit in the country when it comes to total offense, scoring they’re much lower. Led by senior quarterback Will Rogers, this spread offense will want to throw against Indiana.
Most snaps against Iowa were shotgun or spread formations to help Rogers make quick adjustments for his 34 pass attempts. Except they ran the ball considerably well, 30 times for four yards a carry. That was against a defense from Iowa who allows roughly 5.5 yards a play.
Indiana’s defense should be tested considerably more with the extra veteran presence on the Huskies offensive unit. I would expect it to look more like Northwestern where some plays will be made by the players in purple.
Washington’s defense poses the same threat Nebraska did — ranking in the top 10 in total defense, specifically at No. 8, right behind IU. Last week’s tape tells a bit of a different story with their front seven after losing three starting defensive lineman.
Iowa star junior running back Kaleb Johnson went for 166 yards on 21 carries. Iowa as a team put up 220 yards. Granted they’re a top 20 rushing team in the country. But so is Indiana.
With the Huskies nursing an injured front four and linebackers who had a rough time filling gaps against Iowa, this Indiana offense can run over another top statistical defense.
The Washington pass defense comes highly regarded, holding the No. 3 spot in pass efficiency defense. Last week they held Iowa to 108 yards in the air but they allowed 220 on the ground.
The balanced Indiana offense might not have to rely on QB play, which so far hasn’t been something they’ve needed. Indiana would love to keep that trend going with the backup, Jackson, starting this week.
Indiana will need effort from all three phases, including starters and backups, but need excitement from fans to give them fuel — and to continue to prove why Gameday came to Bloomington.
ESPN’s College Gameday starts at 9 a.m ET and goes until noon, which is when BTN’s coverage of the noon kickoff starts between No. 13 Indiana and Washington.
