IU wants to make loaded-up North Texas pay

[Harry]

BLOOMINGTON – It is not a Rubic's Cube dilemma. Indiana center Collin Rahrig understands that. Still, it is a problem that must be solved, Saturday against North Texas (2-2), and every Saturday the rest of the season.

The Hoosiers (2-2) want to run, need to run given the unexpected passing inconsistency. Opponents know that. They will jam seven to eight players at the line of scrimmage and attack, filling gaps, squeezing off the space big-play tailback Tevin Coleman needs to thrive.

Much of that responsibility falls to the offensive line. Against Maryland, for the first time this season, the running game struggled. While every defense tries to make the offense one-dimensional, usually by taking away the run, not many defenses have made it work against IU in recent years.

That the Terrapins did, Rahrig said, is a concern. The solution starts, but certainly doesn't end, with the line.

“It's hard when they load the box,” Rahrig said. “Sometimes when you have some free (defensive) guys coming, you have to choose between which one is the worse one to get, which one do you want to let go. It's hard. You've got to block it. You've got to scheme it.”

North Texas thrives with defense. It ranks No. 9 nationally in rushing defense, allowing 87.2 yards, and No. 17 in overall defense (307.8 yards). The Mean Green are certain to load up to try to shut down Coleman, who leads the nation in rushing (172. yards a game). Maryland held him to 122 yards, although with 43 coming on one run, that total is misleading.

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