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Indiana QB battle far from over: ‘Not even ready to say who is in the lead at this point’

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Nov 5, 2022; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Brendan Sorsby (15) throws a pass during the second half at Memorial Stadium. (Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports)

The Indiana football program enters its second-to-last week of spring practice this week and that means the conversation about quarterback play has heightened.

For yet another offseason, the main position battle for Indiana revolves around the player under center. This offseason, however, it brings two inexperienced but talented players. The two who have emerged as prime candidates are a redshirt freshmen pair of returner Brendan Sorsby and Tennessee transfer Tayven Jackson.

And, with a long time until the first snap of the regular season, Indiana football head coach Tom Allen is not anywhere close to making a decision.

“We are not ready to make that decision, but if something changed, we would,” Allen told reports on Tuesday. “At the same time, there is so much to be done over the summer, there is so much to be done in fall camp, that it is really going to be difficult to make that decision prior to (summer), I would think.”

Despite not making a definitive choice in either direction, both players have flashed their potential in many ways. The biggest is being a leader and making sure that the rest of the roster will follow them.

“I love the way they are working. I am excited about both of them,” Allen added. “They’ve both shown that they can run our offense and lead our football team, which is great.”

Jackson comes to Indiana with a certain pedigree and high profile high school career. He was a four-star prospect and the No. 100 overall recruit in the Rivals rankings. He was a consensus top-250 prospect across all recruiting services. At Tennessee, he played in three games and totaled 37 passing yards on 3-of-4 passing. He also had one rushing touchdown.

But, that doesn’t mean he’s going to be given he keys right away. Especially with a very important offseason and upcoming season for Tom Allen and Indiana.

“That is probably a little more challenging because you are new to everything,” Allens said of Jackson. “Obviously, being here in January was huge, and he knew some of the guys already, which helped, I think. At the same time, you have to earn that ability to speak … I think any time you come in new, you have to establish yourself in the weight room, establish yourself by how you are going to work, how are you going to practice, and how you handle when things don’t go your way.”

Sorsby appeared in one game last season, going 3-of-8 for eight yards and one interception. However, his resume hasn’t given him any leg up in the quarterback competition despite being in Bloomington for a year.

With a lot still unanswered at the position, this Indiana football staff is going to create as many variables for that duo as possible to see how everything will be handled.

“I think that is really what we are trying to create; as much stress and pressure on them, even as much chaos as we can on them, because that is the only way you are going to get them ready for a game,” Allen added.

“The only way to master it (overcoming adversity) is through failure … I think on the front end you have to do a great job of everyday, the name of the game is continuous improvement and trying to be better than yesterday,” IU offensive coordinator Walt Bell said ahead of the Spring Game. “So if that’s the mindset, the failure is easier to handle … if they can’t handle us and the meat of practice, they can’t handle it on Saturday.”

With two more scrimmages upcoming for Indiana, it’s a chance to better evaluate both players. However, the process of naming a starting quarterback is a long time out and something that will likely run its course until the fall.

“We have two more scrimmages that I feel like we need to know better for that. I think there is back and forth,” Allen said. “Good days for one where one may take the lead, so I think they are both obviously young, they are both learning, they are both making plays. I think it is a process you go through, without questions. I just think we are not even ready to say who is in the lead at this point.”

Indiana ranked 13th in the Big Ten in completion percentage (54.0) and 14th in yards per attempts (5.4) last season. The quarterback position has clearly been a missing piece for Indiana over the past two seasons. This offseason and eventual decision is extremely critical for Tom Allen.

“I think our quarterback room is right where we need it to be,” Bell added. “All of them are athletic, can move, have the ability to distribute the ball. I feel really good about that.”

SEE ALSO: Video: Tom Allen discusses the Indiana quarterback battle

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

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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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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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Indiana Football: DeQuece Carter among highest rated returning WRs in Big Ten

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DeQuece Carter starts his Indiana football career as one of the top returning wide receivers in the Big Ten after transferring from Fordham. (DeQuece Carter / Fordham Athletics)

The Indiana football program landed one of the most productive wide receivers in the transfer portal this offseason. DeQuece Carter, transfer from Fordham, arrived in Bloomington this spring looking to make an immediate impact on the Indiana football program.

The 5-foot-11 Carter had 1,166 yards with 56 receptions and 13 touchdowns last year. He had five 100+ yard receiving games and averaged 20.8 yards per catch.

As a junior, Carter finished with 48 catches for 872 yards and 11 touchdowns. As a freshman, he was named a Freshman All-American after totaling 53 catches for 723 yards and five touchdowns.

Now, heading into the 2023 season, Carter is ranked among the highest wide receivers in the Big Ten.

According to Pro Football Focus, Carter is the fourth highest graded receiver who returns from last year. He has a rating of 80.8. The three wideouts in front of Carter include Dante Cephas of Penn State and then two Ohio State wide receivers at No. 1 and No. 2, Marvin Harrison and Emeka Egbuka respectively.

After a lack of explosive plays in 2022, the Hoosiers are looking for that with Carter this season.

“Super, super productive … that’s one of the things you go through. Let’s go find a guy who has been highly, highly productive maybe at a smaller level but he has a chip on his shoulder because he wants to prove he belongs with the big boys. And that’s what he brings,” IU head coach Tom Allen said after Carter’s signing. “… He knows how to get open and has tremendous ball skills to be able to make plays. He’s got that swagger, that confidence that when he steps on that field he’s going to make plays.”

Indiana looks to bounce back after a 4-8 season and Carter’s ability to make explosive plays is a reason for some offensive optimism.

Indiana football opens its 2023 season against Ohio State on Sept. 2 in Bloomington.

SEE ALSO: Storylines to follow for the Indiana football program following spring practice

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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