Indiana 38, Akron 21: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
by John M (The Crimson Quarry) on Sep 20, 2009 9:28 AM EDT
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PrintHere's the official box score. Despite the relatively high scoring game, this win had more to do with the defense than the offense.
The good:
- The rush defense was good again. While Akron's overall numbers border on respectable (30/106), Akron gained 36 yards on the ground on 5 carries in the final garbage-time drive, meaning the Zips had gained only 70 yards on 25 carries before then.
- Four interceptions, of course. Austin Thomas had two (and a combined 77 return yards) and Tyler Replogle and Andre LeGrone added one each.
- Pressuring the quarterback. Matt Rodgers, forced to start the game after Akron coach JD Brookhart suspended starter Chris Jacquemain, was sacked 3 times for a loss of 17 yards. Rodgers gained 44 yards on the ground, but lost 26 for a net of 18.
- The backup running backs, if there are such things on this year's team, played well. Demetrius McCray was the star of the WMU game, but freshman Darius Willis, in his first meaningful action, gained 69 yards on 15 carries and scored his first career touchdown. Trea Burgess ran for 59 yards on 13 carries and also scored.
- Ray Fisher returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown.
- Only four penalties. Two were personal fouls, one was a kickoff out of bounds, and the other was a delay of game against Ray Fisher, when the officials determined that Fisher disregarded his own fair catch signal. I never saw a good replay of it, but Fisher and the IU bench believed he was waving his hands below his waist to keep his teammates away from the ball. Still, no procedure penalties, no holding penalties, no illegal motion. That's progress.
- IU continued to give up big plays. Deryn Bowser broke a 49 yard touchdown reception, mostly on yards after the catch, and the Zips scored a touchdown on a block of a Chris Hagerup punt.
- About that punt: I know next to nothing about scheme and such, and while I'm sure the rugby style kick has its merits, running it on every play seems likely to lead to exactly what it led to. At least we got it out of the way during a win.
- While Chappell's overall numbers were good, his long drought, and interception make me wonder if his decision-making will cut it when we play Big Ten competition.
- Did I mention the blocked punt?
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Good recap
I would add to the “good” side of the ledger, the long, sustained drives that IU was able to put together. I listened to most of the game, and watched a little. It seemed like the offense was a little better balanced. On the drive just before the half, Chappell looked very good, and I thought the offense, as a whole, was clicking well. Good use of the pistol.
The significant reduction in penalties is a very good development.
When you talk about Chappell’s “drought”, to what are you referring?
It is good to be 3-0, and you are correct that it is better than the alternative. I’ll pass on any Kool-Aid at this point, but I do believe that (i) this team is definitely improved from last year, particularly on defense, and (ii) it is not out of the question that this team could earn three more wins. I do not know whether they will be favored in any more games, but they can beat Virginia and Purdue, and maybe upset someone else. Do you agree or disagree?
by hoosierdaddynow on Sep 21, 2009 7:18 AM EDT reply actions
You are right about the sustained drives, and I should have added 4 TD and 1 FG in the red zone as well. As for Chappell’s drought, at least his first six passes of the second quarter were incompletions. I’ll look it up later.
The Crimson Quarry, SB Nation's Indiana Hoosiers blog
by John M (The Crimson Quarry) on Sep 21, 2009 7:56 AM EDT reply actions
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