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BLOOMINGTON – Indiana has started a football season 4-0 only five times in school history.
If the Hoosiers want to make it six – and win at Michigan for the first time since 1967 – they will have to continue their early success on limiting third-down conversions.
IU’s defense ranks second in the Big Ten and 23rd nationally in stopping opponents on third down.
“Honestly, down and distance has a lot to do with it,” Indiana coach Bill Lynch said at his Tuesday news conference at Memorial Stadium. “We’ve been able to control the run and put people in a lot of third-and-longs. Your percentage is going to be much better.”
The Hoosiers finished last in the Big Ten in the statistic in 2008, allowing 46.8 percent (80 of 171) on third down.
That figure dropped to 29.4 percent (10 for 34) through the first three games this season.
Indiana held Akron to 1 for 7 on third downs in Saturday’s 38-21 victory.
The Hoosiers rank 15th nationally and second in the Big Ten in rushing defense, allowing 76 yards a game.
“We’re doing great against the run,” senior defensive end Jammie Kirlew said. “We’re stopping them on first and second down deep where they almost have to throw it on third down. And then we’ve been getting a good pass rush, doing a good job on the edges and especially the interior, the tackles, getting in the quarterback’s face.
“Even if we don’t get there, we are getting close enough to him where he has to make a challenging throw.”
The Hoosiers have nine sacks, which ranks second in the Big Ten and tied for 17th nationally, with Kirlew tied for first in the conference with 2 1/2 sacks.
“The longer yardage you have them in, that plays into (defensive end Greg) Middleton and Kirlew,” Lynch said. “That doesn’t always show in sacks, but it shows in pressures and getting rid of the ball. I think we’ve been better there in the early downs and that plays into our strengths.
“The defensive staff has done a very good job mixing coverages. That’s something that we worked hard on in the spring and preseason. That’s helped us in those situations.”
The challenge turns to stopping the Wolverines’ running game. Michigan is third in the country and first in the Big Ten averaging 270.7 rushing yards.
“They do the best job of really utilizing the quarterback, both of them,” Kirlew said. “The (quarterbacks) do a good job of using their feet. They can really hurt you if you don’t contain, if you don’t play assignment-sound.
“We’re going to have to do a good job of not only playing the run, locking down their running back, but also being assignment-sound and playing well on the quarterback.”
Note: Middleton, senior safety Nick Polk, junior defensive tackle Jarrod Smith and senior offensive lineman Mike Reiter will serve as captains for Saturday’s game.
