Injured IU QB Michael Penix Jr. thanks Hoosier Nation for support
Some tough news hit Bloomington on Tuesday, as the Indiana football program announced that starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. suffered an injury that will require season-ending surgery. Penix had been one of the top passers in the B1G this season.
An outpouring of support for Penix came from Hoosier fans after hearing the news. On Wednesday, after his surgery, the Indiana quarterback issued a thank you to fans, saying that his surgery went well.
“Thank you all for the prayers and support. Surgery went well,” Penix wrote in a tweet. “I trust God’s plan for me and my future.”
https://twitter.com/themikepenix/status/1192132836721070086?s=21
Penix was named the starting quarterback at Indiana to start the season, beating out the incumbent Peyton Ramsey. And while Penix has looked every bit as good as advertised, he’s battled injuries all season long.
Of Indiana’s nine games this season, Penix has appeared in seven, throwing for 1,394 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions, while completing passes at a 68.8 percent clip. He was particularly dominant in Indiana’s game against Michigan State, completing 33-of-42 passes for 286 yards and three touchdowns without a pick.
The redshirt freshman has also rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns this season.
Penix was off to a hot start against Northwestern last Saturday, completing 10-of-15 passes for 162 yards and also scoring a rushing touchdown. But he got dinged up early in the game and was forced to exit before the end of the first half.
Now, the starting job belongs to Ramsey. And he’s stepped up in a huge way when the Hoosiers have needed it. Ramsey has thrown for 1,302 yards, nine touchdowns and three touchdowns. He was big against Nebraska, completing 27-of-40 attempts for 351 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 42 yards and a score in that victory.
Ramsey is completing passes at a 72 percent clip this season.
The Hoosiers are 7-2 on the season and have an off week before traveling to State College to take on Penn State.