Other than all three phases of the game, the Big Ten’s all-time winningest coach has no concerns about Indiana.
That was the playful assessment Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz gave of Indiana on Tuesday.
The more serious version?
After watching the Hoosiers post 63 points on Illinois Saturday night, Ferentz compared IU to last year’s national champs.
And if you’re an opposing coach in front of a microphone on game week, why not? IU’s 219 total points to start the season are the most it’s ever scored in a four-game stretch, breaking the record of 213 set last year. They have the No. 1 offense at PFF, and they’re top three in the nation in scoring offense, rushing offense and total offense.
IU ranks second in the Big Ten scoring at 54.8 points per game (behind Washington’s 55.7). It outscores opponents by a conference-best 46.5 points a game.
“It’s hard to find a weakness. It really is,” Ferentz said Tuesday. “I’m not saying it’s like playing Ohio State, but there’s some similarities in my mind if you look at their offense. They have a big, physical offensive line, two tight ends that are very effective. Then those three receivers as a group — they’re all really good individually, but as a group, it kind of takes you back to Ohio State, where pick your poison.”
Indiana’s receivers aren’t talked about as much as the 300-yard rushing games and quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s Heisman candidacy. But the balance, length and physicality in the room is worth highlighting. Here are the numbers the top three have posted through the first four weeks:
- Omar Cooper Jr. — 19 receptions for 377 yds, 5 TD
- Elijah Sarratt — 24 receptions for 256 yds, 5 TD
- E.J. Williams Jr. — 13 receptions for 116 yds, 2 TD
“And then in the backfield they have two really good running backs right now,” Ferentz continued.
Ferentz mentions two running backs, presumably he means Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black. The Hoosiers lost Lee Beebe, Jr. to a season ending injury. But redshirt freshman Khobie Martin has led IU in rushing each of the last two games, and on the season the Hoosiers have four backs with at least 209 yards and a 5.3 yards per carry average.
Indiana leads the conference in rushing at 308.8 yards per game and has a program-record four-straight 300-yard rushing games.
“And then the quarterback might be the best quarterback in the country. Somebody was saying he’s the leader for the Heisman. I don’t have a Heisman vote, but I’d vote for him based on what I have seen,” Ferentz continued.
“He gets the ball out extremely quick. It’s going to be tough to even get a hand on him, and he’ll run it, but when he runs it, they have designed runs for him and then they also have — he’ll flush it out, but he’s looking down, he’ll look to maybe a throw on the run, which is tough to defend.”
In the last two games, Mendoza has completed 40-of-43 passes for 537 yards, 10 touchdowns and no interceptions. That’s seven more touchdown passes than incompletions. What?
For the season, Mendoza has connected on 76.8 percent of his passes, interestingly enough second in the nation to Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, who’s at 78.9 over three games. Mendoza has thrown for 975 yards, a nation’s-best 14 touchdowns, and no interceptions. His 206.16 passer rating also is second nationally.
“Then on top of it, they’re playing really good on defense. They’re very aggressive, and they’re good at playing with a lead, which they’ve pretty much been doing all season long,” the now smiling Iowa coach continued.
Indiana is third in the nation in total defense, and fifth in scoring defense.
“I forgot about special teams, right? First touchdown (Saturday vs. Illinois) was a blocked punt. Other than that, there’s no problem,” Ferentz said to a room now filled with laughter.
Indiana’s first touchdown of the season was via special teams too, as Jonathan Brady returned a punt for a score. They’ve blocked two punts, are 13th in punt return average, and 12th in net punting yards average.
So yeah, it’s pretty tough to find a weakness right now.
But this is Indiana’s first road game, and we’ll find out plenty in just a few days.
No. 11/12 Indiana (4-0) and Iowa (3-1) kick at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City (Peacock).
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