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Quick Hitters: Storylines, notes, key quotes from Indiana’s Spring Football Saturday

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2 months ago

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Indiana's Josh Henderson (26) looks for an opening during Indiana football's Spring Football Saturday event at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, April 15, 2203. Indiana Football Spring Scrimmage Henderson. (Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times-USA TODAY NETWORK)

The Indiana football program conducted its ‘Spring Football Saturday’ this weekend that concluded spring practice with a scrimmage.

Indiana head coach Tom Allen is looking to improve on a 4-8 season in 2022, which followed a 2-10 season in 2021. The Hoosiers head into the summer with a good feel for their program after the last few weeks of on the field work.

Indiana opens fall practice on August 2.

Here are some of the key storylines, notes and quotes from Saturday’s events.

The quarterback battle is still ongoing and won’t be decided until the fall. Both Tayven Jackson and Brendan Sorsby came into Saturday looking to build on a good spring and try and create some separation in the competition. Both players had good moments throughout the scrimmage and drills but nothing that separate themselves.

“We aren’t going to name a starter,” Allen said. “But I think we’ll sit down with them and talk with them and kind of tell them where they are and in that part of it from exactly if we’re going to play a game tomorrow kind of thing. We’ll tell those guys that open and honestly. To name a guy, no, we’re not ready to do that yet. I think they have a lot of work ahead of them.”

Andre Carter is going to be a major impact player for the Indiana defense this season. On Saturday, the Western Michigan transfer defensive end was all over the field making play after play. Tom Allen said he and Noah Pierre were the MVPs for the defense in spring practice. His ability to make plays in the backfield will be critical for an Indiana defense that struggled to do so last season.

“He is the biggest, most physical one we’ve had here since I’ve been here,” Allen said. “Very, very disruptive. Got to get him in elite shape. He is not there yet.”

Offensive line is improving but still a work in progress: “It’s always hard when you don’t go full bore. We did some live ghosts throughout the spring. Didn’t do it today on purpose, but I love what I see. I think it’s the cumulative effect of just all of the pod work and all of the reps over and over again, the physicality just over and over and over.”

The Indiana running backs will play a signifiant role for the offense this season. There’s no denying their importance to this team and Saturday showed even more the role they will play. Jaylin Lucas, Josh Henderson and Christian Turner all bring versatility and explosiveness to the field.

“I think the running back room offensively that sticks out to me,” Allen said. “I love the way they come to work every day. They have a lot of group … I want to maximize that room … I like that room a lot and feel like we have more flexibility. We have to run the football. We have to run it effectively. Just with different levels from that for our defense, for our offense, for the team. For late in the game finishing out late fourth quarter games. Huge emphasis, no question.”

Tom Allen on Donaven McCulley: “You have no idea how good you can be.” Allen made it quite clear this spring that McCulley needs to step up for Indiana this season at the wide receiver position. At his size and frame paired with his athleticism, McCulley has the tools to be a significant part of this offense. He made a few big plays on Saturday and flashed more of the potential he showed at times last season.

Indiana got out of spring practice healthy, and that’s significant. 

“It’s a big deal getting out of the spring healthy,” Allen said. “Had zero long-term injuries. Had some guys that missed some days, but nothing that’s going to be past probably the next month. So that hasn’t been the case the last several years, so that’s a big deal to get through it, to be able to be healthy, and to come through and have a great, great summer.”

SEE ALSO: Video: Indiana Spring Football Saturday Scrimmage Highlights

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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