Indiana Football: Tom Allen assesses play of Brendan Sorsby after naming him starting QB

The Indiana football program switched quarterbacks midseason for yet another year as Brendan Sorsby earned the starting quarterback spot this week.

After a position battle that went on throughout spring, summer and eventually fall camp, it was a competition that went on into the season. Tom Allen eventually named Tayven Jackson the starting quarterback heading into week three against Louisville. But just a few weeks later, the position was back up for grabs.

Sorsby made his first start since the season opener on Saturday against Rutgers. Heading into the week, Allen said the player who lined up under center on Saturday would be the guy for the rest of the season.

Indiana fell 31-14 to Rutgers, continuing its slide this season. IU currently sits at 2-5 and 0-3 in the Big Ten.

Following IU’s loss, Allen provided some details on his decision to go with Sorsby — but also had some contradicting statements from earlier in the week about the position.

“Well, I said it was going to be the guy for the rest of the game. We weren’t going to rotate them back and forth in the game,” Allen said postgame. “But at the same time, obviously he did some good things. Obviously got to continue to grow and develop. But they’re both young, so obviously continue to allow them to play and continue to get better is the key, and I just feel like he had earned the right to have that opportunity.”

So, it appears the position could still be up for grabs.

Sorsby was 15-of-31 on the afternoon for 126 yards. He had one passing and one rushing touchdown and zero turnovers.

Indiana’s offense, however, continued its ineffectiveness. IU finished with 279 total yards and was just 2-of-11 on third downs. Rutgers had 37:38 minutes of possession while Indiana had just 22:22.

“Did some things that were positive, without question, but still got to generate more in the throw game, which is what we’re trying to do,” Allen said. “Bottom line is we have ran the football better against a really good defense in the box, but not good enough in the throw game to create points, which is what we’ve got to do, because when you score points, that energizes the defense, as well, gives them a lot of momentum whether they’re on the field or not. It has a psychological effect, without question. It’s just the reality of how you’ve got to win. We know that.”

“From the get go today, I felt pretty good. The O-line protected really well. I missed a couple throws that I’m going to want back, but overall I felt like the offense executed,” Sorsby said postgame. “[There were] just a couple of miscues that stalled some drives.”

Indiana scored on its first possession of the game thanks to a 35 yard touchdown pass on fourth down from Sorsby to Omar Cooper Jr. The next two drives went for 13 yards total on eight plays.

Indiana’s fifth drive was a short field, and the Hoosiers went on to score their final points of the game.

Sorsby has thrown for 420 yards on the season and has a 51.1 completion percentage. He has three passing touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also has 130 yards rushing with one touchdown.

“Yeah, but at the end of the day you can’t do that,” Sorsby said when asked about if he looks over his shoulder and is worried about losing his starting role. “You can’t be looking back the whole time. You got to look forward, and not worry about the next play. If you mess up, you have to go make the next play.”

The Indiana football program faces Penn State next weekend on the road.

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