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Indiana looks to utilize versatile running back room ‘as much as possible’

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2 months ago

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Nov 19, 2022; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Jaylin Lucas (12) sprints upfield through the Michigan State Spartans defense at Spartan Stadium. (Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports)

Coming out of the 2022 season there were a lot of questions surrounding the Indiana football program. Most notably, what was this staff going to do to improve the offense and offensive line.

Despite a rushing attack last year that was ranked 13th in the league in yards per game (110.8) and 12th in yards per carry (3.4), the talent and more importantly, versatility, is returning.

Indiana’s trio of running backs is led by All-American Jaylin Lucas. Then returning is Josh Henderson and newcomer, Wake Forest transfer Christian Turner.

Lucas, however, is the most dynamic and versatile of the group. Last year he had 271 yards on the ground, 82 receiving yards and 591 kick return yards. In total, he had four touchdowns — including two kick returns.

“It’s the reality of getting your best players on the field and we’ve got some talented running backs,” IU head coach Tom Allen said on Thursday. “Jaylin has proven he can do a lot of special things with the ball in his hands, especially in space, so we want to maximize that.

“So it’ll look a little different in some ways, and just try and find creative ways to get him the football, and that’s going to be the theme, I think, moving forward in a lot of different areas.”

Last year, Indiana’s three running backs were all ranked in the top eight of Indiana’s pass catchers — including Henderson having the third most receiving yards on the roster (274).

Their ability as pass catchers is a critical part of the offense that needs to be included in each and every game.

But, if there is no positive ground attack, then everything else is a moot point. The offensive line play has been one of the major storylines this offseason and in order for Indiana to get back to putting an effective and efficient offense on the field, it starts and ends with that group.

“I’ve been really encouraged by that group,” Allen said of new offensive line coach Bob Bostad. “He’s (Bostad) is doing a great job with them. I love the drill work. I love the attention to detail. I love the intensity and toughness that he’s created with our guys. He’s a no-nonsense guy. I’m expecting improvement in that area.”

Indiana has been in the bottom three of the Big Ten in total rushing offense in each of the last two years. The two years prior, it was in the top four of the league. There’s no coincidence with the records over those four years as well.

So, as the running backs go — so will the offense. And this season needs to revolve around the trio in the backfield.

“I think those guys in that backfield, and add Christian Turner to that group, he has a chance to be a special player as well. So I’m excited about that running back room,” Allen said. “We have a bunch of guys in there that can run really hard so we want to get them on the field as much as possible.”

SEE ALSO: Indiana Football Notebook: Notes and quotes about spring QB play

Follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. 

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Key Indiana football transfer addition tabbed to 2023 All-Transfer Team

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2 days ago

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June 2, 2023

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Key Indiana football transfer Andre Carter was named to the 2023 All-Transfer Team. (Indiana Athletics)

The Indiana football program came into the offseason with a major point of emphasis on the transfer portal.

In total, it landed 21 transfer commitments — both in the early signing period and then throughout this summer.

The Hoosiers lost a lot of key pieces from last year’s roster and a lot of veterans who had been with the program as multi-year starters. So, getting impact transfers was something Indiana needed desperately.

247Sports put together its 2023 All-Transfer Team for this offseason and one key Indiana football transfer landed on the list — Andre Carter.

“One of two former Western Michigan defensive linemen on the all-transfer portal team, Carter played 714 snaps in 2022, racking up 13.5 TFL and seven sacks, plus two forced fumbles and a nice impact in the passing game, with three deflections and an interception,” Brad Crawford wrote. “No. 101 nationally in defensive yards per play a year ago, the Hoosiers need all the help they can get.”

Carter arrives in Bloomington as one of the better transfers around the country. He was listed as the No. 21 overall transfer this offseason.

Last season, he totaled 70 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception.

Carter is 6-foot-5 and 273 pounds and has played every defensive line position this spring with Indiana. His physical stature stands out immediately.

“He is the biggest, most physical one we’ve had here since I’ve been here. Very, very disruptive,” IU head coach Tom Allen said.

In 47 career games at Western Michigan, he has totaled 134 tackles, 11 sacks and six forced fumbles.

SEE ALSO: Indiana football incoming transfer DeQuece Carter among highest rated returning WRs in Big Ten

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. 

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Indiana football set to add field-level premium seats in Memorial Stadium

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3 days ago

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June 1, 2023

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Indiana football is set to unveil field-level premium seating in Memorial Stadium this season for all home games. (Indiana Athletics)

The Indiana football program has unveiled a new experience at Memorial Stadium. Set to roll out this season, Indiana will provide premium suites for game-day experiences.

Memorial Stadium will have  eight field level suites on the stadium’s south end behind the end zone.

Each suite costs $20,000/season, which includes 16 tickets to each of IU’s home games. Pricing for a single-game suite is TBD.

Below is the full release from the Indiana football program.

Bloomington, Ind. – Hoosier Football fans now have the chance to enjoy a premium suite experience at Memorial Stadium from field level.

Beginning this fall, Memorial Stadium will feature eight field level suites on the stadium’s south end located immediately behind the end zone. Each suite includes spacious, sectional furniture seating; a mounted large screen television on the suite’s awning; a drink rail with seating facing the field; high barstool seats to provide additional seating space. Other special amenities include an all-you-can-eat hospitality buffet; domestic, craft beer, and wine options; a personal suite attendant; and a unique player vantage point from field level.

Each suite costs $20,000/season, which includes 16 tickets to each of IU’s home games beginning with the Sept. 2 opener against Ohio State. Pricing for a single-game suite is TBD.

The new premium suite experience is the result of a new partnership between IU Athletics and REVELXP. REVELXP partners with sports and entertainment brands across the U.S. to provide fans with an elevated experience on game days. To date, REVELXP has partnerships with nearly 100 collegiate and professional properties nationwide. Among its active partnerships are Auburn, Arkansas, Baylor, Florida, Florida State, Kentucky, Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Texas, Texas A&M, USC, and the College Football Playoff.

“We continue to look for ways to enhance and expand the game-day experience alternatives for Hoosier football fans, so we are excited to offer this new premium seating opportunity beginning this fall,” said IU Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Dolson. “REVELXP has a proven track record of providing the highest level of service and experiences at a wide array of events, college football included.  I expect this to be a very enticing opportunity for our fanbase for not only this year, but for years to come.”

SEE ALSO: Indiana football opens 2023 season against Ohio State with primetime afternoon CBS time slot

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. 

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Indiana football opens 2023 season against Ohio State with primetime afternoon CBS time slot

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4 days ago

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May 31, 2023

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The Indiana football program will open the 2023 season at home against Ohio State at 3:30 pm on CBS on Sept. 2. (Indiana Athletics)

The Big Ten has announced game times and tv designations for the first three weekends of the 2023 season. That includes a prime afternoon time slot for the Indiana football program in its season opener.

On Saturday Sept. 2, Indiana will open the season at home against Ohio State at 3:30 pm on CBS.

This is the first year of the Big Ten’s new television contract which includes NBC and CBS tv designations.

Below is the full release from the Big Ten.

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference has announced times and television networks on Wednesday (May 31) for the first three weekends of the 2023 season along with the time for the Indiana football homecoming game.

The conference office announced the following for the Hoosiers:

Saturday, Sept. 2 | Ohio State at Indiana | 3:30 p.m. | CBS
Friday, Sept. 8 | Indiana State at Indiana | 7pm or 8 p.m. | Big Ten Network
Saturday, Sept. 16 | Louisville vs. Indiana | Noon | Big Ten Network
Saturday, Oct. 21 | Rutgers at Indiana | Noon

The 2023 season marks the first season with new broadcast partners to distribute the conference’s television broadcasts. Games will be distributed to fans across broadcast, cable and direct-to-consumer platforms on CBS, FOX and NBC, along with the Big Ten Network and FS1. NBCUniversal’s direct-to-consumer platform, Peacock, will also carry Big Ten games for the first time.

All games televised on NBC will also be available for streaming on Peacock. Games exclusive to Peacock will only be available on that platform.

SEE ALSO: Indiana football enters phase two of prep work as a critical summer approaches

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. 

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