Hoosiers: What’s Hot and What’s Cold
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Assistant Editor
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Each week I’ll run down what’s hot and what’s cold with Indiana football. Here’s my take from Saturday’s 44-24 win over Penn State:
HOT
Cody Latimer – Finishes with nine catches for 140 yards and is the first Hoosiers receiver with three consecutive 100-yard performances since James Hardy in 2005. Made a heads-up play on special teams to recover a fumbled kick return by Penn State. Came up big, also, by securing an onside kick in the fourth quarter.
Teamwide belief – Senior Kofi Hughes, a strong candidate to be voted as an official captain after the season ends, referred to the victory as a “big statement” which showed the team that Indiana’s “program is ready to turn around.”
Tevin Coleman – Young running back firmly established his place as workhorse back with a 20-carry, 92-yard day. His 44-yard touchdown run in the third quarter fueled the late surge as the Hoosiers created distance from the Nittany Lions. Has scored in every game this season. Set career highs with seven catches and 55 yards receiving.
Nate Sudfeld – Moving past an uneven performance two weeks ago, quarterback again looks great, completing 23 of 38 passes for 321 yards, two touchdowns and one tipped interception.
Coaching – Kevin Wilson won the battle of wits with Bill O’Brien. Indiana’s staff got players in the right places and in the right frame of mind during the bye week.
Jason Spriggs – Left tackle plays well in a one-on-one matchup with Deion Barnes, with Barnes being quiet all day. Clears room on Coleman’s touchdown with a punishing block in the second level.
COLD
Shane Wynn – Receiver fails to catch a pass for the first time since he was a freshman in 2011.
Stephen Houston – Tailback played well, with four carries for 34 yards and a 22-yard reception, but has now definitively lost his job to Coleman.
Peyton Eckert’s season – Right tackle failed to make his 2013 debut against Penn State. His back is so bad that Wilson mentioned the real possibility of a redshirt.
Follow Chris Goff on Twitter: chrisgoff_ISL.
