Hootie: Inability To Stop Indiana Running Game The Difference

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – In a weather-plagued game that was literally up for grabs until the final play, Virginia’s inability to stop Indiana’s unexpectedly effective running game proved to be the difference.

Bronco Mendenhall revealed that he didn’t think the Hoosiers would be able to run the ball effectively. Now, he’ll have to go back to the drawing board to figure out why the Cavaliers couldn’t stop Indiana true freshman running back Stevie Scott.

With IU missing its top two returning rushers from a year ago – one due to an indefinite suspension in training camp, the other out for the season after tearing his ACL in last week’s opener – Indiana found a new star rusher in Scott. The rookie back sloshed his way through Virginia’s defense for 204 yards rushing on 31 carries, only eight attempts shy of the Cavaliers’ total number of rushes.

Scott’s performance accounted for the second-highest rushing total for a true freshman in Indiana history.

“It’s not acceptable,” Mendenhall said about surrendering that kind of real estate to Scott, a big back (236 pounds) who only rushed 20 times for 70 yards in a win over Florida International a week ago.

Not only did Scott gash the Cavaliers time and time again for precious yardage, but also allowed Indiana time of possession with an effective ground game.

“We had kept [Indiana’s] points low enough to have a great chance to win, however, not playing the ball as well as their receivers played the ball, and not consistently playing good run defense in terms of being gap sound, allowed Indiana to control the game in terms of momentum,” Mendenhall said.

The Cavaliers made some defensive adjustments for the second half, but Mendenhall said there were a lot of takeaways that his team is going to have to work on in terms of stopping the run.

Indiana coach Tom Allen challenged his offensive line in practice and at the same time worked on his freshman back’s confidence.

“To dominate the line of scrimmage against a team that has been really, really good against the run was satisfying,” Allen said. “He never once fumbled the football, and in those kind of conditions it’s really hard to do.”

The teams played in mostly a steady downpour and swirling winds that affected both teams’ strategies. Both Mendenhall and Allen spent most of the first half “feeling out” what they could do and not do under the miserable playing conditions.

Allen, though, was elated with Scott’s running totals, the true difference in the game. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry and scored one touchdown.

“Stevie just ran with confidence, and he’s a big boy now, and he’s just naturally very strong,” the IU coach said. “He has really good patience and vision. I knew this kid was going to be special. Just didn’t know when he was going to get his shot and obviously due to injuries and the situations we have right now, he got it early and he’s taken advantage of it.”

Allen said he was concerned about being able to run the ball against Virginia, and that he believed the best way to exploit the Cavaliers was through the air, but weather dictated a more conservative plan.

Meanwhile, Virginia couldn’t control the line of scrimmage on offense either. While senior running back Jordan Ellis slashed FCS opponent Richmond for 146 yards on the ground last week, the Hoosiers limited him to 63 yards. Had it not been for mobile quarterback Bryce Perkins’ 123 yards rushing, including a 47-yard jaunt, the Cavaliers would have found it difficult to move the ball (they had 106 yards passing).

“I think [the offensive line] struggled,” Mendenhall said. “Bryce is very active, hard to get on the ground, and creative, and did a lot of things on his own.”

The Hoosiers defense did not permit Ellis to run between the tackles as he did last week. Most of UVa’s rushing yards came outside. Mendenhall believes Ellis needs to have 100 yards for the Cavaliers’ running game to be effective.

“They kept him going lateral, rather than downhill a lot of the night,” Mendenhall said.

UVa linebacker Charles Snowden said that Virginia’s defense emphasized shutting down Indiana’s running game all week in preparation for the Hoosiers.

“Stop their run and we’ll control the game,” Snowden said.

Instead, it was the other way around for the now 1-1 Cavaliers, who host Ohio next weekend.