Below we took a look at Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades, notes and snap counts from Indiana’s week three contest vs. Illinois.
With a dominant performance, the Hoosiers moved up to No. 1 overall at PFF through four games. They have the No. 1 offense in the nation (tied with Rutgers) and the No. 4 defense.
Next up for No. 11/12 Indiana (4-0) is a trip to Iowa to face the 3-1 Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
OFFENSIVE STANDOUT
The top overall offensive grade went to running back Khobie Martin, who sliced through a battered and bruised Illinois defense in the second half. He had 52 yards after contact and 107 total rushing yards for the game. In just 33 snaps this season, Martin has rushed for 222 yards with four scores.
In total, Indiana’s running backs had 141 yards after contact.
Among the other backs, Roman Hemby had a solid receiving grade with two catches for 37 yards.
Overall for the starters, wideout Elijah Sarratt had the top offensive mark, with quarterback Fernando Mendoza right behind him.
Sarratt caught nine passes on 10 targets. He had 40 yards after the catch and forced two missed tackles.
There’s not much that needs to be said about Mendoza, who surgically carved-up Illinois. Because Illinois was in press man coverage, Indiana threw much shorter passes this game, with an adjusted depth of target of 6.4 yards on average. But the receiver group collectively had 179 yards after catch.
The top pass blocking grade went to tackle Carter Smith, who allowed no pressures on 27 pass blocking snaps. PFF says guard Drew Evans and tackle Khalil Benson also allowed no pressures, although it appeared Evans might have missed an assignment on a first quarter Illinois sack.
In total IU only gave up seven pressures, the same amount allowed against Indiana State.
Indiana used their receivers heavily in run blocking, and E.J. Williams received the top grade in that department on the entire team. Tight end Holden Staes had the next highest run blocking mark, and again it was Carter Smith who was tops among the starting line.
OFFENSIVE SNAP COUNTS (72 total)
- Drew Evans (G) – 65
- Carter Smith (T) – 65
- Pat Coogan (C) – 65
- Bray Lynch (G) – 65
- Khalil Benson (T) – 65
- Fernando Mendoza (QB) – 55
- Elijah Sarratt (WR) – 53
- Omar Cooper, Jr. (WR) – 49
- Riley Nowakowski (TE) – 44
- E.J. Williams (WR) – 44
- Roman Hemby (RB) – 42
- Holden Staes (TE) – 26
- Kaelon Black (RB) – 22
- Jonathan Brady (WR) – 21
- Charlie Becker (WR) – 19
- Makai Jackson (WR) – 19
- Alberto Mendoza (QB) – 14
- Khobie Martin (RB) – 13
- Baylor Wilkin (G) – 7
- Adedamola Ajani (G) – 7
- Austin Leibfried (G) – 7
- Zen Michalski (T) – 7
- Evan Lawrence (T) – 7
- James Bomba (TE) – 7
- Solomon Vanhorse (RB) – 5
- Grant Wilson (QB) – 3
- Jackson Wasserstrom (WR) – 3
- Camden Jordan (WR) – 3
DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS
The top overall defensive grade went to sophomore defensive lineman Mario Landino, who led the team with six quarterback pressures on just 18 pass rush snaps. He had three sacks and three hurries and also tipped a pass. He also had the top pass rush grade on the team. As a team, IU had 21 pressures on the night on 33 Illinois drop backs.
The top run defense grade went to tackle Tyrique Tucker, who had four tackles and plugged the gaps well. He was also effective in the pass rush with four pressures. Isaiah Jones was next with two tackles for loss. He had a big first half when Illinois was in 12 personnel which means IU plays three linebackers.
The top tackling grade went to safety Louis Moore. He had six tackles and no misses. Moore also had the top coverage grade. He was targeted five times but allowed just three receptions for a total of 4.3 yards. He also dropped what would have been a pick-six. So did rover Devan Boykin.
PFF assigned the Illinois touchdown allowed to safety Amare Ferrell as the IU defense had a coverage breakdown.
DEFENSIVE SNAPS COUNTS (46 total)
- Amare Ferrell (S) – 46
- Jamari Sharpe (CB) – 45
- Louis Moore (S) – 44
- Rolijah Hardy (LB) – 41
- D’Angelo Ponds (CB) – 41
- Aiden Fisher (LB) – 41
- Kellan Wyatt (DE) – 35
- Devan Boykin (CB) – 31
- Tyrique Tucker (DT) – 29
- Mario Landino (DT) – 26
- Mikail Kamara (DE) – 25
- Stephen Daley (DE) – 24
- Hosea Wheeler (DT) – 23
- Isaiah Jones (LB) – 18
- Dominique Ratcliff (DT) – 15
- Jaylen Bell (CB) – 7
- Kaiden Turner (LB) – 5
- Ryland Gandy (CB) – 5
- Andrew Turvy (DE) – 5
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