Five players to watch as #13 Indiana football hosts Washington on Saturday

One of the most attention grabbing teams in the country, #13 Indiana football, will host Washington this weekend, being featured on ESPN’s College GameDay.

It is the first time since August, 2017, that Indiana’s football program has been selected to be the host of ESPN’s notorious football show.

With Indiana football entering the game 7-0, there are several key players to follow as Indiana looks to continue to move up on the college football rankings.

QB: Tayven Jackson

Indiana starting quarterback Kurtis Rourke is not expected to play this Saturday after suffering a thumb injury last week against Nebraska.

Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti commented on the context of Rourke’s injury.

“He hit a thumb on a helmet, nail kind of came off.”

Tayven Jackson replaced Rourke for the second half last Saturday, completing seven of eight passing attempts for 91 yards and two touchdowns

Cignetti and his coaching staff have full confidence in Jackson’s ability to lead the team. 

“We have one hundred percent confidence and the team has one hundred percent confidence, I have confidence, the staff has confidence in Tayven Jackson. I thought he played really well in the second half (against Nebraska).”

Aside from Cignetti’s personable statement on Jackson, Indiana receiver Omar Cooper Jr. spoke highly of Jackson, praising his growth as a player.

“I feel like Tayven has gotten way more confident the past year. Coach Tino (Sunseri) has helped him out a lot. He’s developed a lot more since last year, so I feel like him playing now, it’ll be a big opportunity for him and a great way for him to step up.”

Jackson, the redshirt sophomore, completed 78 of 128 attempts last season for Indiana, passing for 914 yards and two touchdowns. 

With Jackson slated to start and command the offense Saturday afternoon, the hope and expectation is to see Jackson play similar to how he performed against Nebraska. 

RB: Justice Ellison

Justice Ellison has continued to shine in his first season with Indiana, holding a six game streak of finding the end zone, scoring eight touchdowns over the period.

Ellison’s eight rushing touchdowns on the season currently rank fourth in the Big Ten conference, tied with teammate Ty Son Lawton and Oregon’s Jordan James.

Ellison put on a show last week against Nebraska, turning nine carries into 105 rushing yards and two touchdowns. 

The fifth year running back has 73 carries on the year for 514 rushing yards, averaging seven yards per carry.

With the season long success Ellison has had, he’s a player who everyone must keep an eye on during each offensive drive.

WR: Miles Cross

Miles Cross had himself one of his best performances of the season last week against Nebraska, totaling seven receptions for 65 receiving yards and a touchdown. 

Cross, the senior receiver, transferred to Indiana alongside Rourke during the offseason. 

Cross has fit in extremely well with Indiana’s offense, catching 24 passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns over six games.

Following Saturday’s 56-7 victory over Nebraska, Cross spoke on where he gets his confidence from, going into each game.

“It just comes from practice. Repetition, working on that week in and week out. Just getting better one day at a time, practicing hard. 

With Cross not having his usual quarterback on the field, it will be interesting to see what sort of connection he can establish with Jackson.

WR: Omar Cooper Jr. 

Despite only getting one reception last week, Omar Cooper Jr. may be in luck for an improved performance. 

This season, the sophomore receiver has 19 receptions, 411 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Outside of spending the last two seasons together in the Indiana football program, Cooper Jr. and Jackson have followed each other’s game style since high school, playing against each other for several years before competing collegiately.

“Tav is my dog. We obviously both grew up in Indiana so we played against each other our sophomore year and up, so we just became cool ever since then.”

With the long term connection off the field between the duo, Cooper Jr. could be in for a big week. 

DB: Shawn Asbury II

Shawn Asbury II has been a huge force on Indiana’s defense each game this year, totaling 37 tackles, half a sack and an interception.

Following last Saturday’s game, Asbury II reflected on what Indiana’s defensive goal is on each drive.

“We just try to go out every time and just get a three and out… regardless if their scoring or not (Indiana’s offense), we’re just going to have the same mentality on defense.”

Asbury II’s lone interception of the season came last week against Nebraska, as Asbury II picked off Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola, returning the pick for 78 yards.

Asbury II smiled as he spoke on how cool it was to watch the replay of his interception.

“I watched it a couple times, probably five, six times, it’s goosebumps every time.”

Aside from his interception, Asbury II had four solo tackles in the win over Nebraska, now sitting at 14 solo tackles on the season.

Asbury II and Indiana’s defense have limited opponents to an average of 13.7 points per week. If this competitiveness on defense continues, Indiana will find themself cruising through the game against Washington.

Kickoff is scheduled on Saturday for 12:00 PM ET from Indiana’s Memorial Stadium. 

SEE ALSO: ‘He’s got an opportunity. He’s got to take it and run with it.’: All eyes on Tayven Jackson as Indiana football has ‘100 percent confidence’ with him under center

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated, part of the Full Ride Network, on Twitter @Indiana_FRN, Facebook and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. You can also listen to the Talking’ Bout the Hoosiers podcast on Spotify.

Looking for a place to get more Indiana content? Hoosier Illustrated has partnered with Tom Brady’s company ‘Autograph’ to streamline our coverage, so you can continue to do what you do best – follow IU sports. Use the CODE: Indianafr to get started today. For more info, you can start here.