Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1390373
OFFENSE Is there a more snakebit player in college football right now than Michael Penix Jr.? The Indiana quarter- back has gone from promising newcomer to Davey O'Brien Award semi'nalist in his three seasons, but each of those sea- sons has been cut short by an injury. A year ago, Penix averaged 278.3 yards of total o.ense, ranking second in the Big Ten behind only Justin Fields, but he missed the team's last two games a0er su.ering an ACL injury against Maryland in November. He's still recovering, so backup Jack Tuttle got most of the snaps in spring practice. Allen is hopeful that Penix will be fully healthy by opending day and will be able to stay healthy for a full season. The Hoosiers have two de- pendable pass catchers in wideout Ty Fryfogle (37 receptions, 721 yards, seven TDs in 2020) and tight end Peyton Hen- dershot (23 catches, 151 yards, four TDs). And while the back'eld is in :ux with Stevie Scott III's exit, the arrival of USC transfer Stephen Carr could help. DEFENSE A0er Indiana 'nished 19th in the country in scoring defense last sea- son, coordinator Kane Womack le0 to become head coach at South Alabama. That's one of the downsides of success – other people want to break o. a piece of it. One of the perks of success is that you have the credibility to hire good replace- ments, and that's what the Hoosiers did, luring Charlton Warren away from Georgia, where, as defensive backs coach, he helped the Bulldogs 'nish sec- ond in the Southeastern Conference in total defense. Warren will have plenty of talent to work with in his 'rst season in Bloomington, as nine starters return from a unit that allowed only 20.2 points and 378.1 yards per game. The boldface names are linebacker Micah McFadden, who led the team with 58 stops last year, including 10.5 tackles for loss and six sacks, and cornerback Jaylin Williams, who tied for the team lead with four in- terceptions. Also, standout husky line- backer Marcelino McCrary-Ball is back a0er missing last season with an ACL injury. SPECIAL TEAMS Haydon Whitehead is gone a0er averaging 43.4 yards per punt, but the Hoosiers return place kicker Charles Campbell and kicko. specialist Jared Smolar. Campbell hit 10 of 11 at- tempts last year, including all three of his tries from 50 or more yards. SCHEDULE Hopes are running high in Bloomington this year, but the Hoosiers drew a tough opening-day opponent in Iowa. There 'gure to be at least two wins lurking in a nonconference slate that consists of Idaho, Cincinnati and West- TOP RETURNEES PASSING Michael Penix Jr. 124 of 220 | 1,645 yds. | 14 TD | 4 int. RUSHING Tim Baldwin Jr. 22 att. | 141 yds. | 0 TD RECEIVING Ty Fryfogle 37 rec. | 721 yds. | 7 TD TACKLING Micah McFadden 44 solo | 14 asst. | 58 total SACKS Micah McFadden 6 sacks | 31 yds. HEAD HOOSIER Allen was originally brought aboard as In- diana's defen- sive coordin- ator in 2016, but after less than a year with the pro- gram, he took over as head coach, filling the post after Kevin Wilson's sudden resig- nation. Allen has since gone 24-22. Photo by Bryan Fuller/MGoB- log