Howard Carries Hoosiers into Wake Forest

By now, IU fans know a bit about Jordan Howard- mostly that he is a hard runner who started his career at University of Alabama Birmingham and currently leads the NCAA in rushing with 507 yards through three games. What fans may not know is how exactly he became a Hoosier.

When the news that UAB’s football program would be shut down broke, college coaches across the country carefully examined their roster for potential transfers. Howard, having been productive to the tune of over 2000 yards, stood out statistically. Once Indiana running backs coach Deland McCullough saw tape of Howard, he knew he wanted him.

“I was out recruiting at the time in Baltimore and called back here (to Bloomington),” McCullough said. “I told everyone, ‘I don’t want to make my next trip, I want to wait for his release.’”

Howard’s release came shortly thereafter and McCullough started recruiting him hard, building relationships with both Jordan and his mother. He built familiarity by taking three visits to Howard’s residence. The coach then began to sell his track record which is highlighted by Atlanta Falcons rookie starter Tevin Coleman.

“He saw what I did with Tevin and how he was developed,” McCullough said. “He was comfortable that the situation here was one that could help him get to where he wants to be.”

With his rate of production, its safe to say Howard figures to be a promising NFL prospect. At times he has grown frustrated by his lack of game breaking runs, which McCullough says is something they are working on.

“We are continuing to work on his knee drive and having him run with higher knees which is something he has to make an effort to do,” McCullough said. “I just want him to play ball and those opportunities will come, but as far as fine tuning his game we are working on that.”

Indiana is trying to forge a reputation as “running back U” under McCullough, who humbly deflects praise to his players.

“I’ve never doubted myself… I’m confident that I’m able to identify great guys and getting them to buy in to our process,” McCullough stated. “I take my personality and try to inject it in them.”

Initially, McCullough said that Howard saw that personality manifested in fellow back Devine Redding.

“When Jordan got here, Devine was ‘that guy’, as far as how he worked.” Now, Howard has learned the work ethic of IU running backs that McCullough attributes not only to his teaching but also from Coleman embodying those lessons.

“Its not all business, we have a great time in our room,” McCullough said while chuckling. “But when we are on the field we know we have to prove ourselves every time we are out there.”

The entire Hoosier team has a lot to prove on Sept. 26 when it heads to North Carolina to take on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. After a hot 3-0 start, fans are wondering if the team will fizzle like in years past or if this is finally the year IU makes its way to the post season. An undefeated non-conference start would go a long way in proving this year’s team as a legitimate threat to go bowling. If the team is to be successful, they will need production similar to what Howard has already provided. Howard however, cannot singlehandedly propel his team to victory.

Defensive line coach Larry McDaniel knows this and has been preparing his unit for something they have not yet seen this season: a dual threat quarterback. McCullough says the gameplan heading into the fourth game of the season will be different than it has been to this point.

“It changes you from a defensive mentality because now you have to account for another player making it 11 on 11,” McCullough said. “We have to coordinate our pass rush so that we don’t break containment.”

Keeping the opposing quarterback in check will go a long way in helping the Hoosiers to a victory. That task is easier said than done, and may prove overwhelming for a team whose total defense is rated 121 out of 127 division one teams. McDaniel says the team has a lot to prepare for as Wake Forest presents a very multi-dimensional attack.

There has been a noticeable improvement against the run since the first week of the season- an improvement that has boosted the Hoosiers to the 65^th best devision one rush defense. McDaniel attributes this largely to the pressure the defensive threat has brought onto opposing offensive lines.

“We’ve had a more vertical attack up the field,” McDaniel said. “Now we are doing everything on their side of the line of scrimmage and being aggressive.”

To this point of the season, the IU defense has struggled. If they can exhibit the type of aggression McDaniel expects, they have a chance to make a statement before heading into Big 10 play. If Howard and McDaniel have anything to say about it, Indiana will host Ohio State in a battle of conference leaders on October 3^rd.

Fans have already taken notice of this possibility and the movement for College Gameday to come to Bloomington has taken the Twittersphere by storm via the #iufb4gameday hashtag.

NOTES

Marqui Hawkins has started a hybrid role, crosstraining at WR and RB… Jacob Robinson continues to stand out in practice because of his motor.