Another matchup to keep an eye on is Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner versus Ty Fryfogle. This will probably be one of the best recievers Gardner will cover all year if not the best as Fryfogle was the Hoosiers number one receiver in 2020. Fryfogle was voted an 3rd team All-American by the Associated Press. The senior wide Receiver was also one of the 11 semifinalists for the Biletnitkoff Award which is given to the country’s top receiver each year. Fryfogle, was the first wide receiver in Big 10 history to go for over 200 yards in back to back games a season ago when he recorded 11 catches for 200 yards and two touchdowns versus Michigan State. Fryfogle followed right up with his biggest game of the 2020 season with seven catches for 218 yards and three touchdowns when the Hoosiers fell just short to the Buckeyes. Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner coming into this weekend hasn’t seen many balls thrown his way so far in this season as he already has one interception this year. Gardner a former three star recruit hasn’t allowed a touchdown since arriving in Cincinnati, so this is a matchup that many fans are excited to see. According to PFF Gardner’s career passer rating allowed is 31.2. The passer rating equivalent to throwing the ball straight into the dirt on every play is 39.6, this is a crazy stat but that shows how good Gardner actually is. The 6-foot-2 cornerback has incredible length and can break up about any pass as we saw all offseason at Camp Higher Ground. This will be a very fun matchup to watch and Penix isn’t going to shy away from his number one receiver as Indiana will look to be aggressive and look for the matchups in the passing game.
Fryfogle leads the team with 10 catches for 113 yards and a touchdown. Running back Stephen Carr is the leading rusher with 41 carries for 175 yards and a touchdown for a 4.3 yards per carry average. The second leading tackler on defense is defensive lineman Ryder Anderson with 11. tackles, one sack and 3.0 tackles for loss.
With how good the Bearcats defense is, don’t be surprised if we see Penix try to switch it up and run the ball a lot, knowing he’s a duel threat quarterback coming off a ACL injury, he will try to keep the Bearcats in their toes as much as possible knowing edge rusher Myjai Sanders is very active and quick to disrupt the backfield he may try to scramble out and run and extend plays that way.
The Bearcats will look to come out firing on offense as junior running back Jerome Ford will play a big factor as he is off to a hot start this season. Ford averages 7.8 yards per carry and has four touchdowns through the first two games, he will be a big factor as if he gets going early for the Bearcats this will really open up the passing game for Desmond Ridder.
Kickoff is slated for 12 pm this Saturday from Memorial Stadium in Bloomington Indiana. For fans attending the gates will open at 10 am, and if you can’t make the trip the game will be broadcasted on ESPN.
