FOOTBALL

Indiana football running backs ready to stay ‘consistent’ by ‘running and winning as a collective’ as they face first major test against stout Nebraska defense

The Indiana football running backs will face its first massive test of the season against one of the top rushing defenses in the nation.

Published

3 hours ago

October 16, 2024

Alec Lasley

The Indiana football running backs will face its first massive test of the season against one of the top rushing defenses in the nation. (Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images)

Saturday’s matchup between Indiana football and Nebraska will showcase one of the best on both sides of the ball. It’ll be the potent rushing attack for the Hoosiers against one of the top rushing defenses in all of college football with the Huskers. Something’s got to give — but what will it be?

Indiana’s 6-0 start is the best since 1967 and is largely because of the efficient and explosive offense that continues to score in bunches — thanks to its numerous playmakers all over the field. While Kurtis Rourke, the passing game and the talented receivers may be receiving a lot of attention as of late for Indiana, it’s the running back room that continues to be one of the most difficult to stop across college football.

Indiana is averaging 200.3 rushing yards per game on a 5.1 yard per carry average, numbers combined from a trio of runners for IU.

Whether it’s Justice Ellison, Ty Son Lawton or Kaelon Black, Indiana has depth, versatility and effective touches from its backfield every game.

“We all take pride in it,” Black said on Tuesday. ” … I’m just grateful to be a part of this group. Everyone is having success together and it’s very exciting to be a part of it. Like I said, it’s something that I’ve been used to in the past, so I don’t really mind it. As long as we’re running and winning as a collective.”

Ellison leads IU’s backfield with 409 yards on 64 carries and six touchdowns. Lawton has 68 carries for 329 yards and seven touchdowns. Black, who was banged up to start the season, has totaled 163 yards on 26 touches and one touchdown.

Indiana’s 23 rushing touchdowns lead the Big Ten and are third in the NCAA. But, Saturday will be its toughest test — by a wide margin.

Nebraska enters allowing just 2.7 yards per carry which is fifth-best in the country.

“Their defense is very powerful,” Ellison said of Nebraska. “They have great guys up front. They have great linebackers, as well. They do a really good job of swarming the football. I’m really excited to be able to go out there with our 11 guys and our locker room and be able to expose that. It doesn’t matter who we play. As long as we focus on excelling at a high level. “

Excelling at a high level is exactly what Indiana will have to do because Nebraska won’t be giving up anything easy. The Huskers allow just 84.2 rushing yards a game — that’s good for seventh in the NCAA. As a unit, the defense is allowing just 11.3 points per game.

6-foot-6 and 250-pounder James Williams ranks ninth in the Big Ten in sacks and 6-foot-6, 310 pound lineman Ty Robinson ranks 10th in sacks and tackles for loss. But, it’s a total team effort as the Huskers lead the conference with 42 tackles for loss and 20 sacks.

“They’ve got good players. They’re very well-coached. They play really hard. They’re very multiple in their scheme,” Curt Cignetti said. “They’ve got guys that can affect the passer, a couple big guys inside, 315-plus type guys. They play a lot of people. They do everything they can to keep you off balance.

“They also deflect a lot of passes. They’ve had seven interceptions, giving up about 85 yards rushing a game.”

Indiana is now up to No. 16 in the AP Poll and are a team projected to be in the mix come the College Football Playoff reveal later this season.

And, IU’s bye week couldn’t come at a better time. With a critical matchup against Nebraska up next, it’s another critical moment for Indiana — and its running backs — to get fresh.

“I’ve been really trying to rest my mind and body,” Ellison said. “There’s a lot of things that go into the game mentally as you get older, and this upcoming game has been a lot of mental preparation.”

And with each week and each win, the doubters become less vocal about the Hoosiers. But, Indiana knows there will never be a total silence over them. So in the meantime it’s about remaining consistent in their preparation — something that will be on full display once again this weekend.

“Staying consistent, knowing that we still got a goal,” Lawton added. “There’s still people out there doubting us, you know, still think we’re a fluke, we didn’t play nobody. We just stay levelheaded, stay to ourselves, and you know just get the job done.”