Redshirt freshman Tayven Jackson is Indiana’s starting quarterback.
IU coach Tom Allen made the announcement at a Monday morning press conference in Bloomington.
Allen cited Jackson’s poise and ability to lead scoring drives as the main deciding factors for him winning the competition against fellow redshirt freshman Brendan Sorsby.
“At the end of the day that’s what it really comes down to is being able to score points,” Allen said on Monday.
Jackson was on the field for Indiana’s lone scoring drive against Ohio State, and all five touchdown drives against Indiana State.
For the season, Jackson is 19-of-26 passing (73 percent) for 260 yards (13.7 yards per completion). He has rushed nine times for 26 yards and scored a touchdown on the ground.
Jackson’s .857 completion percentage vs. Indiana State finished No. 3 on the IU single-game charts (18-of-21). He is just the second Hoosier quarterback with a completion percentage better than .800 on 20-or-more attempts. Peyton Ramsey did it twice.
Allen said he reached the decision on Saturday, the day following Jackson’s Friday night performance. He waited until he watched the game film against Indiana State to confirm the choice.
“He plays better than he practices,” Allen said of Jackson. “Just to have that gameday poise and execution on gameday was critical. You’ve got to be able to do it on gameday. That’s where Tayven was able to separate himself.”
Allen said he broke the news to both players together at the same time on Sunday.
“It was close without question,” he said. “But I’m excited about the decision moving forward.”
Tom Allen’s announcement of Tayven Jackson as the starting quarterback #iufb pic.twitter.com/EBcsKXyVls
— Mike Schumann @ The Daily Hoosier (@daily_hoosier) September 11, 2023
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