Below we take a look at Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades, notes and snap counts from Indiana’s week 11 game against Penn State — a dramatic 27-24 win to remain perfect on the season.
The Hoosiers are No. 1 overall at PFF through 10 games. They are tied for the No. 1 offense in the nation with Ohio State, they have the No. 2 defense behind Texas Tech, and the No. 8 special teams.
Next up for Indiana (10-0, 7-0) is a return home to face Wisconsin (3-6, 1-5) for a Noon ET Saturday kickoff (BTN).
OFFENSIVE STANDOUTS
The top overall offensive grade went to quarterback Fernando Mendoza, despite being under pressure 18 times. He led the game-winning drive and had five of what PFF calls “big time throws” — – a pass with excellent ball location and timing, generally thrown further down the field and/or into a tighter window. He also ran three times for 37 yards and a score.
The top receiving grade went to Charlie Becker, who caught seven of eight targets. Three of his catches were contested, and five produced first downs. Lining up both in the slot and wide, Becker also had a co-team high 19 yards after catch.
Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black were almost tied for the top rushing grade. Hemby averaged 4.6 yards per carry, while Black forced five missed tackles and had 34 yards after contact.
The best overall pass blocking grade went to running back Kaelon Black, and the best overall run blocking grade went to tight end Riley Nowakowski.
Among the offensive linemen, the best pass blocking grade went to Carter Smith. He only allowed one pressure on the day. Right tackle Kahlil Benson really struggled in pass blocking. He allowed seven pressures (six hurries and a sack) while dealing with an injury for the second straight week. Benson did however have the top run blocking grade on the team among the linemen. Redshirt freshman Adedamola Ajani got his first college start and according to PFF he struggled in both pass and run blocking.
OFFENSIVE SNAP COUNTS (64 total)
- Adedamola Ajani (G) – 64
- Carter Smith (T) – 64
- Pat Coogan (C) – 64
- Bray Lynch (G) – 64
- Khalil Benson (T) – 63
- Fernando Mendoza (QB) – 64
- E.J. Williams (WR) – 62
- Omar Cooper, Jr. (WR) – 61
- Riley Nowakowski (TE) – 58
- Charlie Becker (WR) – 55
- Kaelon Black (RB) – 42
- Roman Hemby (RB) – 25
- Holden Staes (TE) – 9
- Jonathan Brady (WR) – 3
- Lebron Bond (WR) – 2
- Davion Chandler (WR) – 2
- Khobie Martin (RB) – 1
- Zen Michalski (OT) – 1
DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS
The top overall defensive grade went to linebacker Rolijah Hardy, who had 12 tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss. He had the top run defense grade on the team and was credited with four “stops” — tackles that constitute a “failure” for the offense. Among non-defensive linemen, he had the best average depth of tackle on the team. Hardy also had the best tackling grade with no missed tackles. Although he only rushed the passer twice, he also had the best pass rush grade.
Three players — Aiden Fisher, Devan Boykin and Mario Landino — were tagged with two missed tackles.
Among the main pass rushers, Mikail Kamara had the top pass rush grade with a team high eight pressures, all hurries.
The top overall pass coverage grade went to linebacker Isaiah Jones, who was targeted six times and allowed four receptions for 23 yards. He made the tackle that ended Penn State’s drive ahead of IU’s game-winning drive. Among defensive backs, Jamari Sharpe and D’Angelo Ponds were almost tied, both allowing four catches on five targets. Ponds allowed just 7.0 yards per catch. Ponds also had the second-best tackling grade.
DEFENSIVE SNAPS COUNTS (66 total)
- D’Angelo Ponds (CB) – 66
- Aiden Fisher (LB) – 66
- Stephen Daley (DE) – 66
- Mikail Kamara (DE) – 66
- Isaiah Jones (LB) – 64
- Amare Ferrell (S) – 61
- Rolijah Hardy (LB) – 58
- Louis Moore (S) – 51
- Mario Landino (DT) – 48
- Jamari Sharpe (CB) – 48
- Tyrique Tucker (DT) – 47
- Hosea Wheeler (DT) – 42
- Devan Boykin (CB) – 23
- Dominique Ratcliff (DT) – 15
- Daniel Ndukwe (DE) – 5
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