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    “He made some fantastic plays” — Charlie Becker stepped up when IU needed him most

    Mike SchumannBy IU Football 9 Comments
    Photo by Owen Graham for TDH

    There was little doubt Indiana was missing star receiver Elijah Sarratt on Saturday afternoon at Beaver Stadium.

    With Penn State bringing the blitz play after play, and locked in press man coverage, the Hoosiers needed their receivers to win one-on-one matchups — and win them quickly.  That is a Sarratt specialty, and with him out of the game with a hamstring injury, someone else had to step up.

    Enter sophomore Charlie Becker.

    Although he showed promise in 2024 as a true freshman, Indiana recruited over Becker this past winter and spring.  They brought in Jonathan Brady from California, Makai Jackson from App State, and Tyler Morris from Michigan to replenish the receiver room.

    Head coach Curt Cignetti mentioned Becker on multiple occasions during the spring and summer.  He was showing promise.  But with the Hoosiers loaded at receiver, maybe he was another year away?

    With Sarratt unable to play, Becker’s moment was now.  And he delivered in a big way.  The Nashville, Tenn. product matched his season total with seven catches for 118 yards — both team highs.  But the degree of difficulty on some of those catches is what really stood out in IU’s 27-24 come from behind win.

    And none was bigger than Becker’s catch on Indiana’s final drive.  It was one of the best catches you’ll see, immediately followed by another by Omar Cooper, Jr. for the game winner.

    Down 24-20 with less than a minute to go, Indiana had made their way to the Penn State 24.  And on 1st and 10, Becker got the Hoosiers inside the 10 with a leaping grab and a dazzling toe tap. With the game on the line, Becker completely gave up his body, and paid the price.  He hobbled back for the next play after this 17-yard gem from Fernando Mendoza.

    That wasn’t his first leaping grab. He stuck this back shoulder catch in the third quarter on 3rd and 7 and had FOX’s Gus Johnson mesmerized.

    And Becker set up Indiana’s first touchdown with this 53-yard reception.  Coming on their third drive, Indiana realized they need to win against man, and Becker got open on a post route.

    Morris went down with a season-ending injury during spring practice, and Jackson left the team when he decided to take a redshirt year.  That helped swing the door open for Becker, who burst through it when he was needed most on Saturday afternoon.

    “They were going one-on-one on Becker and Charlie made some fantastic plays. He’s taking advantage of his opportunities this year,” Cignetti said.

    Sarratt went through warm-ups before the game.  It doesn’t appear he’ll be out much longer.  And when he returns he’ll join Cooper, E.J. Williams, and now Becker as a fourth dangerous weapon in Indiana’s arsenal at wideout.

    Becker gives IU another dimension in the room, with his height, speed and ability to high point catches. He credits his offensive coordinator and receivers coach Mike Shanahan, a former Division I receiver himself, and the talent that surrounds him every day for helping him be ready for this moment.

    “I think I’ve grown a lot,” Becker said.  “It helps having the best wide receiver coach in the country in coach Shanahan.  Especially learning last year from Elijah and Coop and Myles Price, it’s been so helpful in my personal growth.”

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