Below is an overview of the snap counts and PFF grades for Indiana’s offense from the 42-13 win at UCLA.
Also added are some notes on players standing out nationally on the season through three weeks.
At 95.9, Indiana has the third-best overall team score in the nation according to PFF, behind just Ole Miss and Miami (Fla.).
QUARTERBACK
Kurtis Rourke played every snap (65). Despite what appeared to be an exceptional game, Rourke’s PFF grades were only mediocre. It’s hard to get a great read on why PFF reaches those marks, but it would appear a lack of big plays might play a factor, as IU utilized short passes against the UCLA blitz.
Rourke threw just two passes of 20 or more yards, and went 1-of-2. While no receiver dropped a pass, they also didn’t catch any of what PFF labeled six contested catches.
Through three weeks, Rourke is 36th in overall passing grade among quarterbacks with at least 50 dropbacks.
WIDE RECEIVER
Miles Cross is clearly emerging on the depth chart. He played 45 of the 65 total offensive snaps, and the Ohio transfer had the highest overall offensive grade on the team while starting. He caught six balls that resulted in first downs. Lining up both outside and in the slot, Cross has made several contested catches this year and does not yet have a drop.
Ke’Shawn Williams only played 21 snaps, but he caught three passes for 31 yards and two scores. He had the second-highest overall offensive grade on the team. He led the team in yards-after-catch.
Elijah Sarratt led all receivers with 55 snaps. He leads IU on the season with 12 receptions. Of receivers who saw significant snaps, Sarratt had the lowest grade. That appears to be primarily because he was 0-for-3 on contested catches.
Myles Price and Omar Cooper both started and played 30 snaps. Both had solid grades and both are tied for second on the team in receptions for the season (11).
Cooper leads the team in receiving yards (234) through three weeks and has the fifth-best receiving grade in the nation at PFF for the season among receivers with at least 15 targets.
Donaven McCulley was back from injury but only saw three snaps. He was used primarily has a jump ball threat in the red zone.
Andison Coby played eight snaps.
RUNNING BACK
The snaps were split across four backs:
Ty Son Lawton was on the field for 26 snaps and he started the game. He was good running the ball but struggled as a pass blocker according to PFF. He forced a team-high five missed tackles.
Justice Ellison saw 25 snaps. He had the best overall offensive grade among the backs due to his role carrying the ball. He averaged 3.6 yards after contact.
Ellison has the seventh-best running grade in the nation at PFF on the season among backs with at least 25 carries.
Kaelon Black played 11 snaps. He earned the best pass blocking grade among the running backs.
Elijah Green played 3 snaps. He broke through for a late, long TD run for the second time in three games.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Five linemen played the entire game: Mike Katic (C), Drew Evans (LG), Bray Lynch (RG), Carter Smith (LT), Trey Wedig (RT).
Katic was the highest-graded run blocker, Evans the worst. Evans was the second-best pass blocker, however.
Katic has the 40th best run-blocking grade at PFF on the season among OL with at least 100 snaps.
Wedig had the best pass-blocking grade, Katic the worst.
TIGHT END
Zach Horton played 61 snaps, Sam West three. James Bomba was listed as out on the pregame injury report. Horton earned good marks for pass blocking, but wasn’t as good as a run blocker. His receiver stats were in the middle-of-the-road range. Horton doesn’t have a drop all year.
Tyler Stephens, a long-time offensive lineman at James Madison, appears to have been moved to tight end. The 6-foot-5 and 311-pounder now wears No. 84 and would seem to be in line for the jumbo package, run-blocking extra tight end role. He played seven snaps.
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