Oct 26, 2024; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Tayven Jackson (2) runs the ball for a landing in the course of the fourth quarter in opposition to the Washington Huskies at Memorial Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Photographs With the final third of the school soccer common season right here, No. 13 Indiana serving as a feel-good story this yr looks like outdated information.
Now, remarkably, the large query is whether or not the Hoosiers can play their manner into the School Soccer Playoff.
4 video games stay for Indiana (8-0, 5-0 Large Ten) to attain that inconceivable feat. The primary sport will come in opposition to Michigan State (4-4, 2-3) on Saturday afternoon in East Lansing, Mich., and the conflict will function the annual battle for the Outdated Brass Spittoon.
At the beginning on the minds of the Indiana devoted is the well being of beginning quarterback Kurtis Rourke.
After Rourke missed final Saturday’s 31-17 win over Washington with an injured thumb, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti stated Monday he was “optimistic” on the quarterback’s return.
“Build up,” Cignetti stated. “Workload will improve because the week goes on. That is all I will say about it.”
Backup Tayven Jackson did a serviceable job in opposition to Washington, finishing 11 of 19 passes for 124 yards with a landing and an interception. Indiana, nonetheless, is aware of its finest probability of cracking the 12-team playoff is to have Rourke within the lineup.
Rourke enters the sport fifth within the Large Ten in passing yards (1,941) and second in completion proportion (74.6).
Cignetti stated his staff must make sure to match Michigan State’s physicality.
“They will smack you within the mouth,” Cignetti stated. “Have play-action sport. Even have sufficient little trickery there to maintain you off steadiness so you are not overcommitting. Very aggressive on protection.”
Whereas Indiana is aiming for a convention title and playoff berth, Michigan State is bidding for a minimum of two extra wins to change into bowl-eligible for the primary time for the reason that 2021 season.
The Spartans are coming off a 24-17 loss to arch-rival Michigan and are getting ready a stretch through which they are going to play three of their final 4 video games at house.
“We do have to maneuver on to a big-time opponent,” Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith stated. “One of many hottest groups within the nation. Doing it in all three phases. You have a look at Indiana, offensively they’re performing some issues and may rating factors in bunches. Defensively, they’ve some good gamers operating round and have a strong scheme. You do not win each sport by chance.”
Michigan State hasn’t been as constant as Indiana this yr, which is a mirrored image of the up-and-down play of first-year beginning quarterback Aidan Chiles.
After throwing for seven interceptions within the first 4 video games of the season, Chiles has been picked off solely twice within the final 4 video games.
If Chiles can proceed to deal with the ball and make performs together with his arm and toes, the Spartans can current issues for Indiana.
“I feel we have gained confidence because the yr has gone on,” Smith stated. “We will go toe-to-toe with nearly anyone. Now we wish to play our greatest soccer in November.”
The street staff has gained 4 straight video games within the rivalry, together with Michigan State’s 24-21 win final yr in Bloomington, Ind.
–Discipline Degree Media
