Below we take a look at Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades, notes and snap counts from Indiana’s Big Ten Championship game win vs. Ohio State. The Hoosiers won 13-10 to secure the program’s first conference crown since 1967, and first outright title since 1945.
IU is No. 1 overall at PFF through 13 games. They have the No. 1 offense in the nation, the No. 2 defense behind Texas Tech, and the No. 10 special teams.
No. 1 Indiana (13-0) will face the winner of Oklahoma and Alabama on Jan. 1 at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena Calif.
OFFENSIVE STANDOUTS
The top overall offensive grade went to quarterback Fernando Mendoza. At 92.4, he received his best PFF grade of any game this season. He was given three “big time throws,” which PFF calls a pass with excellent ball location and timing, generally thrown further down the field and/or into a tighter window. Mendoza was under pressure 12 times on 26 drop backs. He completed 11 passes for first downs and also ran for a first down.
Charlie Becker had the top receiving grade and second-best overall offensive PFF grade for IU. He caught six balls on seven targets while lining up both in the slot and out wide. PFF credited him with three contested catches and he caught six passes for first downs. His 89.8 receiving grade was the second-best by any IU receiver all season.
The top rushing grade went to Roman Hemby. He produced 36 yards after contact and forced two missed tackles while averaging 4.0 yards per carry. He also caught a pass for seven yards. Kaelon Black led the team with 69 yards and 4.3 yards per carry.
The top pass blocking grade went to redshirt freshman Adedamola Ajani, who subbed in for Bray Lynch at right guard. He did not allow any pressures in 15 pass blocking snaps. Neither did Khalil Benson in eight pass blocking snaps. Carter Smith had the top run blocking grade, with Drew Evans right behind him. Smith also kept his season-long streak of no sacks allowed going.
OFFENSIVE SNAP COUNTS (59 total)
- Drew Evans (G) – 59
- Carter Smith (T) – 59
- Pat Coogan (C) – 59
- Riley Nowakowski (TE) – 59
- Fernando Mendoza (QB) – 58
- Elijah Sarratt (WR) – 54
- Zen Michalski (OT) – 40
- Jonathan Brady (WR) – 39
- Charlie Becker (WR) – 38
- Adedamola Ajani (G) – 35
- Kaelon Black (RB) – 32
- Roman Hemby (RB) – 27
- Bray Lynch (G) – 24
- Khalil Benson (T) – 23
- E.J. Williams (WR) – 23
- Lebron Bond (WR) – 6
- Omar Cooper, Jr. (WR) – 6
- Holden Staes (TE) – 6
- Davion Chandler (WR) – 1
- Alberto Mendoza (QB) – 1
DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS
The top overall defensive grade went to linebacker Rolijah Hardy, who was solid across the board in all areas. He had two quarterback pressures including a sack, led the team with 10 tackles including 1.5 for loss, credited with six “stops” (plays that constitute failure for the offense), and broke up a pass in the end zone late in the fourth quarter to end an Ohio State drive.
Stephen Daley was credited with the top run defense grade on the team.
The top pass rush grade went to Isaiah Jones, who produced two sacks on eight pass rush attempts. Stephen Daley had a total of five quarterback pressures to lead the team, including a sack.
Devan Boykin had the top pass coverage grade, with Rolijah Hardy and Louis Moore right behind him. Boykin was targeted once and he broke up the pass. Hardy was targeted four times and gave up three catches, but they only averaged three yards per catch. Moore had a first quarter interception that led to Indiana’s first field goal.
DEFENSIVE SNAPS COUNTS (57 total)
- Stephen Daley (DE) – 57
- D’Angelo Ponds (CB) – 56
- Aiden Fisher (LB) – 54
- Isaiah Jones (LB) – 53
- Tyrique Tucker (DT) – 52
- Rolijah Hardy (LB) – 51
- Mario Landino (DT) – 51
- Amare Ferrell (S) – 51
- Louis Moore (S) – 47
- Jamari Sharpe (CB) – 45
- Mikail Kamara (DE) – 43
- Devan Boykin (CB) – 19
- Hosea Wheeler (DT) – 18
- Daniel Ndukwe (DE) – 15
- Dominique Ratcliff (DT) – 8
- Kaiden Turner (LB) – 5
- Byron Baldwin (S) – 1
- Jeff Utzinger (LB) – 1
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