Kentucky connects IU’s football opponents

Watching game film on the same team two weeks in a row is a rarity.

But that is exactly what IU did due to a pure coincidence in scheduling.

Just as last week against Western Kentucky, IU game-planned this week for an opponent that played Kentucky the week prior.

A week ago, Western Kentucky played IU following a 63-28 loss to UK. This time, the Hoosiers prepared for an Akron team that lost to Kentucky 47-10 last week.

The Hoosiers (2-0) dissected game film this week from an Akron (0-3) team that has struggled in its first three games. In the Zips’ loss at Kentucky, Akron struggled offensively.

The IU coaching staff took advantage of watching game film with a common opponent.

“The biggest thing that it helps you with in a back-to-back is personnel,” IU wide receiver coach Billy Lynch said. “You see how they matched up to Western Kentucky’s personnel, and you see how they matched up to Akron’s personnel.”

After watching film on WKU tailback Bobby Rainey running for 184 yards and two touchdowns against UK, the IU defense noticed the adjustments Kentucky made in its game.

The Zips are a team that also runs the football, using a two-back set with seniors Alex Allen and Nate Burney.  While Burney does not compare to Rainey’s statistics, they share a similar running style.

Burney is 5-foot-6, 170 pounds and relies on his speed to get yardage. After rushing for 119 yards against Gardner-Webb University, Burney struggled against UK. Going against a bigger SEC defense, Burney had 10 carries for 22 yards and had a limited role.

These backs lead a running game that totaled 37 carries for just 67 yards against UK.
Akron quarterback Patrick Nicely was 4-of-19 for 57 yards against UK. This statistic may play into IU’s 154.5 average passing yards allowed in its first two games.

If the Hoosiers want to force Nicely to beat them through the air, they could mirror UK’s mentality in which it blitzed regularly against the sophomore to tally five sacks.

The flaw UK showed against WKU and Akron is their inability to stop the passing game. Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline received little pressure from Akron and was able to go through his full progressions.

“I think it has helped us a lot from a personnel standpoint more than maybe an offensive philosophy standpoint,” Lynch said.

The offense sees similarities between Kentucky’s roster and IU’s roster, especially in the passing game.

“Kentucky has some big receivers like us, so we’re going to stick to our game plan like we did last week,” IU wide receiver Damarlo Belcher said.

Game planning aside, the Hoosiers coaching staff said it is important to not get caught looking ahead to the start of the Big Ten schedule, especially since the team faces No. 21 Michigan next week.

“I don’t think anybody is looking ahead,” IU offensive coordinator Matt Canada said.