IU head coach Tom Allen, coordinators and select players met with the media to discuss IU’s 34-28 win at Maryland. Redshirt freshman quarterback Michael Penix Jr. exited the game in the first half with an injury, but the Hoosiers prevailed to win on the road.
Heading to play at Nebraska on Saturday, IU is now 5-2 overall and 2-2 in Big Ten play.
Here are three takeaways.
Westbrook, Hendershot found more chances as Philyor drew attention.
Junior receiver Whop Philyor caught at least 10 passes for over 100 yards in IU’s previous two games, so Maryland made sure he was well covered Saturday. While the Terrapins limited Philyor to just six yards on two catches, other Hoosiers stepped up instead.
“You do that to one guy, it's going to create opportunities for a guy like Nick [Westbrook] and he took advantage of it,” Allen said.
IU’s stat sheet from its win over Maryland consists of nine different pass-catchers, but fifth-year receiver Nick Westbrook and sophomore tight end Peyton Hendershot led the way with six catches each.
With less than 30 seconds remaining in the first half, Westbrook extended for a ball in the end zone for what was ultimately the go-ahead touchdown.
Westbrook said it felt nice to make a flashy scoring play, his fourth of the season and fifteenth of his career. At full health, the offense is capable of spreading the ball around a lot, and that’s especially evident when Westbrook plays well enough to score in three of the last four games.
“We’re so balanced and anybody can make a play,” Westbrook said. “Not many people have three cover corners that can try to lock down three guys on the field, so there’s gonna be someone open almost every play.”
The defense executed late in big moments.
In IU football’s toughest moments this season, it’s often been the defense that’s surrendered momentum in big games. In hand, there’s been a recent sense of urgency for defensive coordinator Kane Wommack and his “Swarm D” unit.
In the final four minutes of Saturday’s game, IU forced and recovered a fumble before intercepting Maryland, all in the Terrapins’ last two drives as they trailed by a possession.
“We pride ourselves into getting the ball back,” junior husky Marcelino Ball said. “Hopefully it ignites something in us to get some more.”
On the first play of Maryland’s penultimate drive, sophomore defensive back Juwan Burgess met Maryland’s Javon Leake in the backfield before stripping the ball from him and recovering it. Burgess’ takeaway lead to a field goal from fifth-year kicker Logan Justus that made it 34-28.
Then on the tenth play of the Terrapins’ last drive, quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome misfired a pass downfield into coverage. Sophomore defensive back Reese Taylor adjusted to the overthrown ball and made the play for the interception.
“You get rewarded for being in the right place at the right time,” Allen said of Taylor. “He's an excellent football player and one of our best athletes without question.”
The O-line blocked its way through another significant shuffle.
Senior offensive lineman Coy Cronk’s season-ending injury gave IU’s front five a much-needed wake up call.
“We know that we’re all we’ve got and that helps us play on Saturdays,” junior offensive lineman Harry Crider said.
There are a lot of uncertainties and variables that go into an offensive line, and IU has endured all that this season. Cronk’s absence and a recent injury to senior Hunter Littlejohn have taken a toll on the offensive line, but the unit has responded well as a whole.
Crider stepping in for Littlejohn at center against Maryland caused some shuffling around on the o-line, including fifth-year Simon Stepaniak moving to left guard and junior Mackenzie Nworah coming off the bench to right guard.
Despite all the movement, IU’s front five held Maryland to one sack and allowed the rushing attack to total 186 yards on the ground.
Crider hadn’t played with many combinations of tackles and guards as a center in camp, but those extra reps before the season are why he said he felt comfortable out there Saturday.
“We did it for several practices in a row, and I think that really paid off for us this past game,” Allen said. “You just never know what may happen to the offensive line.”
