A Preview of Washington's Big Ten Clash Against Indiana
A Preview of Washington's Big Ten Clash Against Indiana
SeaTown Sports continues its series of previewing Husky football’s 2024 Big Ten opponents
SeaTown Sports is previewing Washington's Big Ten Opponents: Northwestern; Rutgers; Michigan; Iowa
Have you ever been to Indiana? I’ve lived in Indiana. South Bend, Indiana. I attended my first year of law school at Notre Dame before realizing I belonged on the West Coast. Besides learning a little bit about Notre Dame football, I did not bother learning anything about Indiana’s professional sports teams or collegiate teams. No regrets in that regard. Although maybe I should have spent some time learning about Purdue and Indiana since now they are in the same conference as the Huskies.
I’d imagine most casual sports fans know Indiana University or “IU” for its storied basketball history which has won five national championships.
If you are a Husky fan, then you are well aware that much of Washington football’s run the past two seasons is the result of two Indiana defectors: Kalen Deboer and Michael Penix.
For one season in 2019, Deboer served as Indiana’s offensive coordinator under then-head coach Tom Allen. Playing for Deboer in 2019, before suffering a season-ending injury, Penix played in six games, throwing for 1,394 yards, 10 touchdowns, and four interceptions. Indiana went 8-5 that season, earning its first bowl berth in three seasons. After the 2019 season, Deboer earned his first head coaching job at Fresno State and Penix played two more injury-riddled seasons at Indiana.
You know the rest of the story. Washington hired Deboer in November 2021, and then Penix subsequently transferred to Washington the following month. The pair went 25-3 in two seasons, leading Washington to its first-ever College Football Playoff National Championship berth. Could you imagine being an Indiana fan watching the National Championship earlier this year, knowing you had the Heisman runner-up on your team for four seasons and a head coach who lost only three games in two seasons?
After 2019, Indiana football has not had the same success as the individual success of Deboer and Penix. After Penix’s transfer in 2021, the Hoosiers compiled a 7-17 record in two seasons. Head Coach Tom Allen was relieved of his duties at the end of the 2023 season.
Enter Curt Cignetti. Cignetti is the Hoosiers’ new head coach after a four-year tenure at James Madison. In five seasons at JMU, Cignetti compiled an impressive 51-9 record. In his 13 seasons as a head coach, he has never had a losing season. Could this be his first?
Here’s an early look at Washington’s week 8 opponent:
Best Three Players
WR Donaven McCulley (Sr.)
McCulley is one of the team’s five returning starters from last season. He led Hoosier receivers, tallying 644 yards and six touchdowns. McCulley reportedly courted transfer offers from Michigan, Penn State, and a handful of other Power 4 schools, but opted to take his chances with Cignetti and the new incoming coaching staff.
Interestingly enough, McCulley was teammates with Penix in 2021 and started four games as a true freshman as the Hoosiers’ quarterback after Penix’s season-ending injury that year. McCulley changed positions before his 2022 sophomore season to secure more playing time.
WR Elijah Sarratt (Jr.)
Sarratt, a transfer from JMU, brings much-needed speed and athleticism to the Hoosiers offense. Last season, Sarratt racked up over 1,100 yards and 8 touchdowns at JMU. He collected at least 100 receiving yards in five games last season.
Ric Seritella from AllAccessFootball.com has pegged Sarratt as the team’s top NFL prospect, describing him as having “an uncanny ability to generate yards after the catch due to his quick acceleration and shiftiness in the open field.”
The first-team All-Sun Belt selection had transfer offers from both Purdue and Wisconsin. Sarratt ultimately chose to follow his coach, Cignetti. He will have familiarity with Cignetti’s scheme from day one. He rounds out an impressive group of receivers.
QB Kurtis Rourke (Sr.)
Transferring from Ohio to Indiana is senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke. The 6-5 senior is a former MAC Offensive Player of the Year. In four seasons at Ohio, Rourke passed for over 7,500 yards and 50 touchdowns. Perhaps, most importantly, Rourke is a proven winner. He went 8-3 in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Watch Out For This Player
DE Lanell Carr Jr. (Sr.)
Carr Jr. is the lone returning starter on the Hoosiers’ defense. Carr is both physical and explosive. This season, Carr will likely move between defensive end and outside linebacker in a “bull position.” Starring in this hybrid role last season, Carr collected 33 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks.
Can Washington win?
Indiana is picked by some experts to finish last among the Big Ten’s 18 teams. Indiana’s defense is shorthanded, especially at the defensive tackle and cornerback positions. I expect Washington’s offense to have a field day against Indiana’s defense. Indiana’s passing offense could be a strength, but we know Washington is returning some experience in its secondary, so the Hoosiers may have a tough time moving the ball through the air. This one could be a rout. Count this game as a win for the Huskies.