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Complimentary of Indiana defense, Justin Fields says key vs. Hoosiers is staying calm

Kristian Dyer

By Kristian Dyer

Published:

While all the focus has been on Indiana’s prolific offense this year, their defense is what is earning the attention of Ohio State ahead of this weekend’s clash of top 10 teams.

No. 9 Indiana travels to play No. 3 Ohio State this weekend in a game in Columbus that has massive ramifications for the Big Ten Championship Game.

And while Indiana is third in the conference in scoring offense behind a very good quarterback in Michael Penix Jr., they are fourth in scoring defense. That is a pretty good combination.

They face a stern test on Saturday against Ohio State, averaging 46.3 points per game and second-best in the Big Ten in scoring.

Justin Fields, the Ohio State quarterback who is now among the frontrunners for the Heisman and the Maxwell Award, praised Indiana’s defense as one where “they bring so many blitzes.”

Fields isn’t wrong. Indiana is aggressive and multiple in how they get to the opposing quarterback

Indiana leads the Big Ten in sacks (12) and sack yardage (96). They also pace the conference with 10 interceptions. This is a defense that has certainly exceeded expectations so far this season and is playing complimentary football.

It will be a first real test of the season for the high-flying Buckeyes offense and Fields.

So far through three games, Fields has 908 passing yards with 11 touchdowns. He has thrown just 11 completions (on 83 passes) and has yet to throw an interception.

Kristian Dyer