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Indiana Football: IU’s potential breakout year put in hands of Michael Penix

By Alec Lasley

BLOOMINGTON, IN - OCTOBER 20: Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Indiana Hoosiers looks to pass while under pressure from Shareef Miller #48 of the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second quarter of the game at Memorial Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. Penn State won 33-28. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - OCTOBER 20: Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Indiana Hoosiers looks to pass while under pressure from Shareef Miller #48 of the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second quarter of the game at Memorial Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. Penn State won 33-28. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The Indiana football program makes it official as it named Michael Penix the starting quarterback for week one against Ball State.

The biggest question of the Indiana football offseason seems to have an answer as Tom Allen named redshirt freshman Michael Penix the Indiana starter for week one against Ball State during his press conference on Monday morning. Penix beat out returning starter Peyton Ramsey for the spot.

It was a long time coming and the Indiana fan base made their opinion known as Penix was the strong favorite from the public for the Indiana starter. Now, it’s time for him to live up to the fan fare.

Penix had a strong camp coming back from his ACL injury he suffered against Penn State in 2018, and his play and more importantly leadership resulted in him getting the nod.

Fans have seen the potential that Penix brings and are hoping he can duplicate it into a seasons worth of success, as this is a big year for the Indiana football program.

With new offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer in Bloomington ready to unleash his high-powered offense, it was the perfect time to give Penix the reigns of the offense. His athleticism, powerful arm, and size gives him all of the tools to be a terrific starter.

Now, Indiana’s offense could be one of the best in the league.

Though they have never had difficulty scoring the ball, putting up nearly 30 points per game, they did rank just 10th in the Big Ten. Penix gives the Indiana offense an entirely different dimension and will put another dynamic playmaker on the field with the likes of Stevie Scott, Donavan Hale, Nick Westbrook, Peyton Hendershot, Whop Philyor, and Ty Fryfogle.

For anyone asking if this could just be a week-by-week starter, Allen addressed that question today.

In what could be a breakthrough season for Indiana football, the Hoosiers have handed Penix the keys to the car. It’s now time for him to back it up and take this team over the hump.

Next. How IU Has Fared In Season Openers Past 20 Years. dark

The Hoosiers face off against Ball State on Saturday Aug 31 at 12:00 pm EST at Lucas Oil Stadium.

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