GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Indiana’s offensive line vs. Ohio State’s defensive front seven. After a brutal rushing effort (29 yards on 32 carries) against Michigan State, the Hoosiers’ running game improved with 163 on 42 carries in a 24-17 victory at Rutgers. However, the Hoosiers did run quite as well in the second half after being up 24-7 at halftime.
“They’ve got to be more consistent,” Allen said of the offensive line. “To me they did some good things in the first half, but it’s got to continue. We play for 60 minutes. That’s a group that I feel like has got to continue to keep working.”
Allen said the running backs also needed to do a better job of reading its blocks.
“Going against one of the best front lines in the country in Ohio State, and we need to create creases and allow them to play the football,” Allen said. “That second half wasn’t up to our standard of offensive line play, and we’ve got to improve. I sat in there and watched the second half plays and different things we did, so working through that together. We’ve all locked arms, side-by-side, getting everything fixed and getting ourselves in position to keep winning games.”
DRAFT SLANT
–S Jonathan Crawford, who is on the Senior Bowl watch list, made his 43st career start against Rutgers and has started every game in his career. He has 26 tackles, including 21 solos, a sack, three tackles for a loss, an interception, a forced fumble and fumble recovery in the first five games.
ROSTER REPORT
–WR Whop Philyor, a sophomore who has 18 catches for 194 yards and one touchdown, missed the game against Rutgers due to an undisclosed injury. His status is questionable.
–WR Luke Timian, a junior, has 13 catches for 138 yards but missed his second consecutive game with an undisclosed injury. His status is questionable.
–WR Nick Westbrook, who suffered an ACL injury on the opening kickoff of the season-opening game against Ohio State last season, has 15 receptions for 160 yards and one TD.
–RB/CB Reese Taylor, a true freshman, has rushed for 68 yards on 13 carries and has 11 catches for 66 yards. He has three tackles on defense.
–DT Jacob Robinson, a senior and veteran presence on the defensive line, missed his second consecutive game. His status is questionable.
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