Indiana University Athletics
IU Offense Finishes Among Nation’s Best
1/4/2016 3:59:00 PM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana's offense cemented itself among the best in program history in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, eclipsing several notable marks left unmatched around the country.
Even Duke head coach David Cutcliffe, a respected offensive-minded coach in his own right, had to take note in his postgame television interview with ABC.
"I'm pretty amazed with Indiana and the job they've done and the skill they have on offense and the way they can execute," Cutcliffe said. "Very special."
The 2015 Hoosiers are the fourth college football team to have a 3,500-yard passer (Nate Sudfeld), a pair of 1,000-yard running backs (Jordan Howard and Devine Redding) and a 1,000-yard receiver (Simmie Cobbs, Jr.) in the same season. The previous three teams with those marks were Southern California (2005), Oklahoma (2008) and Southern Miss (2015).
Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson and tight ends and fullbacks coach James Patton were both on the 2008 Oklahoma staff. Wilson was the offensive coordinator and Patton was the offensive line coach.
"Good offenses are good whether they're running it, throwing it," Wilson said after the Pinstripe Bowl. "We try to have a little bit of a mix."
IU was one of only two Power Five conference teams with two 1,000-yard running backs, joining Baylor. The Hoosiers also had Sudfeld, who threw for 3,573 yards and 27 touchdowns in his senior season. He finished his college career as one of the most effective passers in program history.
Howard, a first team All-Big Ten rusher, who announced that he'd forego his senior season to enter the NFL Draft, rushed for 1,213 yards and nine touchdowns on 196 carries during his lone season in Bloomington.
Redding, a sophomore, rushed for 1,012 yards as his backup. He saw extended playing time in Indiana's final three games of the season while Howard was hurt, rushing for 501 yards over the Hoosiers last three games alone.
"It was a great performance, with the help of the linemen, the team," Redding said after rushing for 227 yards in the Pinstripe Bowl. "It's just something to grow on."
Indiana will rely on underclassmen like Redding to carry the bulk of the load next season if the Hoosiers will continue their 2015 production.
It will require some work, but Wilson was quick to back up the guys he has.
"We've got a good line situation, a good tight end group, and we're going to keep that going," Wilson said.
No. 1 in the Big Ten
With all Big Ten football action complete, Indiana finished the 2015 season first in total offense, pass offense and scoring offense, while placing second in rushing offense. The Hoosiers are the first team since Ohio State in 1995 to lead the Big Ten in total, passing and scoring offense.
Indiana finishes the season leading the Big Ten in scoring offense for the first time since the league began using the entire season as the the statistical champion in 1985. The Hoosiers have not led the league in total offense since 1988.
Since the start of 2012, Indiana ranks first in the Big Ten in passing yardage per game, second in total yardage per game and fourth in in rushing yardage per game. The Hoosiers are the only team in the conference to rank in the top four in passing and rushing during that span.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana's offense cemented itself among the best in program history in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, eclipsing several notable marks left unmatched around the country.
Even Duke head coach David Cutcliffe, a respected offensive-minded coach in his own right, had to take note in his postgame television interview with ABC.
"I'm pretty amazed with Indiana and the job they've done and the skill they have on offense and the way they can execute," Cutcliffe said. "Very special."
The 2015 Hoosiers are the fourth college football team to have a 3,500-yard passer (Nate Sudfeld), a pair of 1,000-yard running backs (Jordan Howard and Devine Redding) and a 1,000-yard receiver (Simmie Cobbs, Jr.) in the same season. The previous three teams with those marks were Southern California (2005), Oklahoma (2008) and Southern Miss (2015).
Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson and tight ends and fullbacks coach James Patton were both on the 2008 Oklahoma staff. Wilson was the offensive coordinator and Patton was the offensive line coach.
"Good offenses are good whether they're running it, throwing it," Wilson said after the Pinstripe Bowl. "We try to have a little bit of a mix."
IU was one of only two Power Five conference teams with two 1,000-yard running backs, joining Baylor. The Hoosiers also had Sudfeld, who threw for 3,573 yards and 27 touchdowns in his senior season. He finished his college career as one of the most effective passers in program history.
Howard, a first team All-Big Ten rusher, who announced that he'd forego his senior season to enter the NFL Draft, rushed for 1,213 yards and nine touchdowns on 196 carries during his lone season in Bloomington.
Redding, a sophomore, rushed for 1,012 yards as his backup. He saw extended playing time in Indiana's final three games of the season while Howard was hurt, rushing for 501 yards over the Hoosiers last three games alone.
"It was a great performance, with the help of the linemen, the team," Redding said after rushing for 227 yards in the Pinstripe Bowl. "It's just something to grow on."
Indiana will rely on underclassmen like Redding to carry the bulk of the load next season if the Hoosiers will continue their 2015 production.
It will require some work, but Wilson was quick to back up the guys he has.
"We've got a good line situation, a good tight end group, and we're going to keep that going," Wilson said.
No. 1 in the Big Ten
With all Big Ten football action complete, Indiana finished the 2015 season first in total offense, pass offense and scoring offense, while placing second in rushing offense. The Hoosiers are the first team since Ohio State in 1995 to lead the Big Ten in total, passing and scoring offense.
Indiana finishes the season leading the Big Ten in scoring offense for the first time since the league began using the entire season as the the statistical champion in 1985. The Hoosiers have not led the league in total offense since 1988.
Since the start of 2012, Indiana ranks first in the Big Ten in passing yardage per game, second in total yardage per game and fourth in in rushing yardage per game. The Hoosiers are the only team in the conference to rank in the top four in passing and rushing during that span.
Players Mentioned
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