With the final third of the school soccer common season right here, No. 13 Indiana serving as a feel-good story this 12 months seems like previous information.
Now, remarkably, the large query is whether or not the Hoosiers can play their method into the Faculty Soccer Playoff.
4 video games stay for Indiana (8-0, 5-0 Large Ten) to attain that unbelievable 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 Previous Brass Spittoon.
Firstly 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 mentioned Monday he was “optimistic” on the quarterback’s return.
“Build up,” Cignetti mentioned. “Workload will improve because the week goes on. That is all I’ll 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 likelihood 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 share (74.6).
Cignetti mentioned his staff must you’ll want to match Michigan State’s physicality.
“They are going to smack you within the mouth,” Cignetti mentioned. “Have play-action sport. Even have sufficient little trickery there to maintain you off stability 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 at the least two extra wins to turn out to be bowl-eligible for the primary time because the 2021 season.
The Spartans are coming off a 24-17 loss to arch-rival Michigan and are making ready a stretch through which they’ll play three of their final 4 video games at residence.
“We do have to maneuver on to a big-time opponent,” Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith mentioned. “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 working round and have a strong scheme. You do not win each sport by chance.”
Michigan State hasn’t been as constant as Indiana this 12 months, 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 along with his arm and toes, the Spartans can current issues for Indiana.
“I believe we have gained confidence because the 12 months has gone on,” Smith mentioned. “We will go toe-to-toe with nearly anyone. Now we wish to play our greatest soccer in November.”
The street staff has received 4 straight video games within the rivalry, together with Michigan State’s 24-21 win final 12 months in Bloomington, Ind.
–Discipline Stage Media
