IU football: Michigan week Monday media availability news and notes

The Indiana football coaching staff and quarterback Michael Penix held their regular Monday game week press conference to take a final look back at Rutgers and preview Michigan.

Head coach Tom Allen was joined by offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, and Penix.

Below are some of the key news items and notes from the session.

No. 13 Indiana will host Michigan at Noon ET on Saturday.  That game will be held at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington and televised by FS1.

Rutgers game players of the week

Allen announced the following players of the week for the Rutgers game:

Offense – Peyton Hendershot (6 receptions, 2 touchdowns)

Defense – Jaylin Williams (interception, QB hit, 3 tackles – 1 for a loss)

Special teams – Charles Campbell (3 FG, 4 EPs — also the Big Ten special teams player of the week)

Allen also noted that junior corner Reese Taylor had his “best game of his career” against Rutgers.

Evaluating Sheridan as he gets set to face alma mater

Although the offense has been hit or miss, new offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan is 2-0 as a play-caller so far.

Allen was asked about his early impressions of the job Sheridan has done.

“There’s always growing pains through learning and doing something for the first time,” Allen said of Sheridan.  “I feel like he has adapted, and is doing things a little different from week one to week two, and even from the first half to the second half.  But I still want to make sure we find a way to start faster.”

Allen referred to calling plays as more art than science, noting from his own experience on the defensive side that “over time, you get better.”

One area where Indiana will need to get better is in the running game.  The Hoosiers are currently last in the Big Ten with 74 yards per game.

On Saturday, Sheridan will face his alma mater.  Allen referred to Sheridan’s experience playing the quarterback position in the Big Ten as a major benefit.

For more on Sheridan’s background including those Michigan years, GO HERE.

Marshall and Ellis still uncertain

Due to early injuries to wideouts Miles Marshall and David Ellis, Indiana has lacked depth at wide receiver.  Ellis was also expected to add some wrinkles to the running game, including perhaps as a change of pace runner along with pass catching ability out of the backfield.

Allen said he should know more about the status of Marshall and Ellis by Wednesday.  It appeared possible that both players could have played against Rutgers, but Allen was non-committal about this Saturday.

“Don’t know for sure,” Allen said of his two receivers.  “Usually by Wednesday we should know their status.  Still to be determined.”

Hoosiers off on Tuesday

Indiana has given the entire team the day off for the election on Tuesday.  There will be no football activities for the players.

But that doesn’t mean the Hoosiers will lose a day of preparation.

In order to make up for Tuesday, Indiana had team meetings, lifted and watched film on Sunday — a normal day off during the season.  The team also had meetings on Monday morning followed by practice Monday night.

Every player on the Indiana team is registered to vote.  Allen indicated that he hasn’t voted early and will cast his vote on Tuesday.

Size of Michigan QB Joe Milton a concern

Michigan has a new quarterback in 2020.

At 6-foot-5 and 243 pounds, Joe Milton is difficult to bring down in both the pass and run games.

“A big body that does have a dual-threat ability,” defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said.  “He can make all the throws on the field.”

While Indiana has seen running quarterbacks each of the first two weeks, they haven’t seen someone as big as Milton.

“He’s a big ole joker.  That’s a big quarterback,” Wommack said.

Milton is 47-of-73 through the air after two games for 525 yards and score with no interceptions.  A major threat to run, Milton has carried the ball 20 times for 111 yards and another touchdown.

Find us on Facebook:  thedailyhoosier