Below we took a look at Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades, notes and snap counts from Indiana’s week eight game against Michigan State — a 38-13 win to remain perfect on the season.
The Hoosiers are No. 1 overall at PFF through seven games. They have the No. 1 offense in the nation, and the No. 3 defense.
Next up for No. 2 Indiana (7-0) is UCLA on Saturday at Noon ET (FOX).
OFFENSIVE STANDOUTS
The top overall offensive grade went to quarterback Fernando Mendoza. He had the eighth-highest grade of any quarterback in week eight, tied for the most touchdowns, and the second-highest completion percentage. He had a clean pocket with only six quarterback pressures registered by MSU.
The top pass blocking grade went to left tackle Carter Smith, with right guard Bray Lynch not far behind. Neither allowed a QB pressure for the game. Among offensive linemen with at least 200 pass blocking snaps on the season, Smith has the third-best season-long grade in the nation at PFF. He’s only allowed three pressures and no sacks all season.
The top run blocking grade went to right tackle Kahlil Benson. He has the seventh-best run blocking grade on the season at PFF among all linemen with at least 200 run blocking snaps.
The top receiving grade went to Omar Cooper, Jr., who caught 8 of 8 targets and added 28 yards after catch. Five of his catches went for first downs, and he led the team with 115 receiving yards. None of the receivers had a drop. Cooper also had a very good run blocking grade.
The top rushing grade went to Kaelon Black, who led the team in carries (10), yards (64), yards after contact (40) and missed tackles forced (2). Roman Hemby had a very good pass blocking grade, while Black appears to have struggled in that area.
OFFENSIVE SNAP COUNTS (58 total)
- Drew Evans (G) – 58
- Carter Smith (T) – 58
- Pat Coogan (C) – 58
- Bray Lynch (G) – 58
- Khalil Benson (T) – 58
- Fernando Mendoza (QB) – 58
- Elijah Sarratt (WR) – 57
- Riley Nowakowski (TE) – 56
- Omar Cooper, Jr. (WR) – 51
- E.J. Williams (WR) – 46
- Roman Hemby (RB) – 29
- Kaelon Black (RB) – 23
- Holden Staes (TE) – 9
- Khobie Martin – 8
- Charlie Becker (WR) – 6
- Jonathan Brady (WR) – 5
DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS
Defensive tackle Tyrique Tucker had the top overall grade on this side of the ball. Although he didn’t have a big statistical game, he earned good marks across the board. He also had the best pass rush grade on the team. Tucker officially registered two tackles and a hit on the quarterback.
Edge Stephen Daley was credited with the most QB pressures with five on 35 pass rush snaps. He recorded two sacks and three hurries.
The top run defense grade went to Aiden Fisher. For the game he had nine tackles including 1.5 for loss. His average depth of tackle against the run was a yard into the MSU backfield.
The top tackling grade went to corner D’Angelo Ponds. He was officially credited with nine tackles including five solo. He didn’t miss a tackle.
The top coverage grade went to rover Devan Boykin. Amare Ferrell and D’Angelo Ponds received a very similar grade. Ferrell only allowed three receptions on six targets.
DEFENSIVE SNAPS COUNTS (65 total)
- Amare Ferrell (S) – 65
- D’Angelo Ponds (CB) – 65
- Jamari Sharpe (CB) – 65
- Louis Moore (S) – 65
- Aiden Fisher (LB) – 58
- Kellan Wyatt (DE) – 48
- Rolijah Hardy (LB) – 46
- Isaiah Jones (LB) – 44
- Stephen Daley (DE) – 43
- Devan Boykin (CB) – 43
- Tyrique Tucker (DT) – 40
- Mario Landino (DT) – 38
- Mikail Kamara (DE) – 36
- Hosea Wheeler (DT) – 26
- Dominique Ratcliff (DT) – 20
- Daniel Ndukwe (DE) – 7
- Kaiden Turner (LB) – 5
- J’Mari Monette (DT) – 1
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