Hoosier State of Mind
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Indiana football: Three key Hoosiers from bad loss to Nebraska

By Connor O’Keefe

Sep 17, 2022; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Jaylin Lucas (12) catches a ball during warm ups before the game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2022; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Jaylin Lucas (12) catches a ball during warm ups before the game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /
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Indiana’s Jaylin Lucas (12) /

#2. Jaylin Lucas – RB

Week 5 stats: 3 rushes, 39 rushing yards, 13.0 average, 1 kick return for 21 yards

Now many football fans will look at this stat line and ask, “How does this kid walk away with a key player nod with less than 40 rushing yards?”. Well, Lucas turned 18 years old earlier this week and is finally starting to get offensive touches where he can make plays happen. Before this game, Lucas had only registered a rushing attempt in one other game (4 carries for 16 yards vs. Idaho in Week 2) this season.

His rushing attempt in the first half (below) was an impressive one where he embarrassed two Nebraska defenders with juke moves, then bolted for another 25 yards. The standout run set up for what would be the final touchdown of the game for the Hoosiers, yet Lucas did not touch the ball on offense the entire second half.

Tom Allen talks about the importance of getting Jaylin Lucas more involved in the offense and making it a priority:

"“We saw with Jaylin Lucas a guy we want to and need to and expect to get him the ball more. He’ll be returning kicks for us now consistently. And then just trying to get him more touches without question because he obviously showed what he can do with the ball in his hand in that game.”"

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