In the week leading up to Indiana football’s contest against Michigan on Oct. 14, head coach Tom Allen publicly committed to redshirt freshman Tayven Jackson as the team’s quarterback.
He proceeded to haphazardly rotate between Jackson and redshirt freshman Brendan Sorsby in the Hoosiers’ 52-7 blowout loss to the Wolverines. This past week, in preparation for Saturday afternoon’s Homecoming matchup with Rutgers, Allen declined to name a starter.
Sorsby ultimately won the battle, earning the start and playing his first complete game with the Hoosiers. Still, while the plentiful questions surrounding Indiana’s quarterback room were temporarily answered, Allen again was ambiguous about the immediate future of the position.
“They’re both young,” Allen said of Sorsby and Jackson after Saturday’s 31-14 defeat. “Continuing to allow them to play and continuing to get better is the key.”
Sorsby’s first complete audition as Indiana’s quarterback did little to offer an undeniable answer. The Denton, Texas, native finished the game 15-of-31 for 126 yards and a touchdown, and 49 yards on the ground to go along with a rushing score.
He flashed athleticism, off-script playmaking ability and inaccuracy. When the offensive line held up, he was able to find a rhythm, but as the game wore on his struggles heightened.
On the Hoosiers’ first drive of the game, Sorsby looked comfortable maneuvering the pocket and spreading the ball around the field. On 4th and 8 from Rutgers’ 35-yard line, Sorsby noticed an unblocked rusher barreling toward him.
He spun to his left, dashed toward the sideline and uncorked a deep ball to the back of the end zone. It fell into the waiting grasp of redshirt freshman wideout Omar Cooper Jr., who corralled it for a touchdown.
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— Indiana On BTN (@IndianaOnBTN) October 21, 2023
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“From the get-go today I felt pretty good,” Sorsby said postgame. “The (offensive) line protected really well. I missed a couple throws that I’m gonna want back, but overall, I felt like the offense executed.”
Early in the fourth quarter, from the Scarlet Knights’ 40, senior receiver Cam Camper had Rutgers junior cornerback Eric Rogers beat by at least a step along the right sideline. With a chance to inject some life into the Hoosiers’ floundering second-half offense, Sorsby missed.
His throw lacked the necessary zip and forced Camper to slow down, simultaneously allowing Rogers to make a pass break up.
Regardless, Sorsby’s inconsistencies didn’t define Saturday’s loss or provide an unequivocal solution to Indiana’s quarterback fiasco.
On the ground, the Hoosiers rushed for 153 yards compared to 276 for the Scarlet Knights. Redshirt sophomore running back Trent Howland, who hadn’t received more than five carries in a game this season, was Indiana’s leading rusher with 54 yards.
The recurring ineffectiveness on offense continued to take its toll on the defense. As Rutgers started to force Indiana into quick three-and-outs after the first quarter, the Hoosiers’ defense suffered.
Rutgers ultimately won the time of possession battle in a lopsided manner, holding the ball for 37:38 compared to just 22:22 for Indiana. With the Scarlet Knights constantly gashing a worn-out Hoosier defense on the ground, Indiana’s offense continually failed to give them respite.
“We just got to make plays when we’re out there and help the defense,” Sorsby said. “The defense could say the same thing about us, is we’re not on the field enough.”
After finding success in quick tempo and frequent no-huddles early in the first quarter, Indiana slowed down its pace as the game went on. In terms of play calling, Sorsby and Cooper Jr. both said it’s simply too late in the season to make drastic changes.
Offensive coordinator Rod Carey, who took over after Walt Bell was relieved of his duties Oct. 1, has sprinkled in a few wrinkles and trick plays, including a double pass intended to allow junior receiver and former quarterback Donaven McCulley to launch the ball downfield.
[Related: BREAKING: Indiana football fires offensive coordinator Walt Bell]
Still, a midseason coordinator change wouldn’t totally remedy the deeper issues plaguing Indiana’s offense. Now beyond the season’s midpoint, the Hoosiers remain without an established identity or even a fixed option at quarterback.
At 2-5, and 0-4 within Big Ten play, while bowl eligibility is still a possibility, it would take an almost flawless final stretch from the Hoosiers.
While Cooper Jr. spoke optimistically, saying he believes the Hoosiers could win out, Allen, who has seen this bleak stage before, knows what’s on the line. He talked candidly about the team’s outlook heading into the final five games.
“There’s no question. I don’t think I feel it, it’s a reality,” Allen said regarding if the season is slipping away. “It’s about us right now being able to band together and continue to battle.”
