On Saturday, IU earned its first win of the season defeating Ball State University 34-24 to open the 2019 season, but that wasn’t the only thing the Hoosiers won.
Freshman quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and senior kicker Logan Justus were honored for their performances during the opening weekend.
Penix, who was the first IU freshman quarterback to start the season opener since Antwaan Randle El in 1998, was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week. Penix threw for 326 yards on 24-of-40 passing and a touchdown. The freshman out of Tampa, Florida, also added 67 yards on the ground in his debut as a starter.
Prior to the game against Ball State, it was announced that Penix beat out junior quarterback Peyton Ramsey and freshman quarterback Jack Tuttle for the starting position.
“The country got to see what I saw in practice,” IU head coach Tom Allen said. “It wasn’t so much about what Peyton didn’t do, but about what Mike could become.”
Justus also had a career day against Ball State as he tied an IU record with a perfect 4-for-4 field goal performance that earned him Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week. Justus also beat his own personal record of 44 yards on three separate occasions throughout the game connecting from 48, 49, and 50 yards.
This performance from Justus was his second game with at least three field goals and his sixth multi-field goal game of career.
The Hoosiers will open the home schedule Sept. 7 against Eastern Illinois University at 3:30 p.m.
