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Vandals head into Big Ten country

| September 11, 2021 1:05 AM

Today, Idaho at Indiana, 4:30 p.m., Big Ten Network, 92.5 FM

From wire and news services and local reports

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana University is known for its basketball program, but the Hoosiers are pretty good in football these days, too.

Indiana was ranked 17th in this year's preseason Associated Press poll, before losing 34-6 at No. 18 Iowa in its season opener.

The Hoosiers, who went 6-2 last year and lost to Ole Miss in the Outback Bowl, dropped out of the polls this week.

"They're still a very good team," said Idaho coach Paul Petrino, whose Vandals (1-0) play at Indiana (0-1) today at Memorial Stadium. "It’s a great venue. A lot of guys in their life never get to play in a Big Ten stadium, never get to play in a Pac-12 stadium. I’ve been lucky enough as a coach in all those different leagues."

While very few outside Moscow is giving the Vandals a chance today, Petrino said he gives his players the same advice every time they take on a program from one of the Power 5 conferences.

"I always try to tell them, go make a bunch of plays and make a tape that you can give to your grandkids," Petrino said.

Idaho is coming off a 68-0 win over NCAA Division II Simon Fraser of Burnaby, British Columbia.

Indiana quarterback Michael Penix Jr. threw three interceptions vs. Iowa, two of them returned for touchdowns.

Despite the lopsided score, the Indiana defense held Iowa to 303 yards and 18 first downs. The Hoosiers couldn't find an offensive rhythm and failed to get the ball into the endzone. Stephen Carr led the rushing attack with 57 yards and Ty Fryfogle had a team-high 84 receiving yards on five receptions.

"Our goal is to go out there and win," said Idaho running back Roshaun Johnson, who scored three touchdowns vs. Simon Fraser. "I feel like we’re going to go out there and compete our butts off."

Earlier this week, Petrino announced coaching changes on his staff. Brian Reader was promoted to offensive coordinator after the retirement of veteran assistant Kris Cinkovich. Quarterbacks coach Charley Molnar was promoted to assistant head coach and Pryce Tracy added the title of recruiting coordinator to his running back duties.