Indiana Football: 3 things to be thankful for this season

3. Peyton Ramsey

If you rewind to this time last year, I’m not sure how many fans would be excited to have Peyton Ramsey back under center for another year or two. Now, they couldn’t be happier he stayed.

After losing his starting job to freshman Michael Penix Jr before the season started, Ramsey decided to stick with the Indiana program instead of transferring elsewhere, like so many other players this day. His decision to stay not only helped Indiana to its first seven win season since 2007 but also its fifth winning season since 1990.

Now, Ramsey not only ranks in the top five nationally in completion percentage (70.9), but also second in the Big Ten, and fourth in the conference in passer rating (151.9). In his starts this season, due to Penix’s inability to stay healthy, Ramsey has averaged 269.6 yards through the air, which would rank first in the conference amongst starters.

Not only has Ramsey been a tremendous asset on the field with his play, but he has shown fans and teammates just how much of a leader he can be, and is. Combined with his extreme toughness and durability, Ramsey has cemented himself as a huge fan favorite just 12 months after fans may have had enough of him.

Without Peyton Ramsey this year, Indiana may not be sniffing seven wins, and definitely not in the position of possibly reaching nine come season’s end.