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After three weeks where Gus Malzahn was "hopeful" Shaun Shivers would be ready to play, Shivers made his return to the backfield in Auburn's 35-28 win over Ole Miss. Although freshman running back Tank Bigsby had had outstanding performances in Auburn's last three games, Shivers was given the start over him. That decision was about more than skill. Shivers has seniority, experience and, most importantly, leadership ability. He's one of the team captains, and he changes the dynamic on the field just by being out there. That all adds to the fact that he's an effective runner, as he showed in the season-opener against Kentucky where he averaged 4.8 yards a carry.

"Shaun Shivers is one of our team leaders," Malzahn said Tuesday before Shivers's return. "You talk about a guy that had a phenomenal fall camp and really had a really good first half against Kentucky and then got hurt. That'll definitely help when he gets back. He's in a great spot." Shivers wasn't quite back to 100 percent against Ole Miss, but that didn't stop him from running all over the Ole Miss defenders. Shivers finished with 60 yards on 11 carries with one touchdown. Basically every time he carried the ball, he had a significant gain, and he finished the game averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He bulldozed through defenders, found gaps and broke tackles. "I thought he really bounced a couple of zones out," Malzahn said Sunday. "He cut it back and he tried to finish runs, too. He broke tackles, too." - Birmingham News

(DS#46 RB) rSr/2023

RB Shaun Shivers, Indiana
News Source: Birmingham News
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10/26/20 - *Jamar Johnson, Jr/2021, Indiana, 6-0, 205 (DS#10 FS) + More +

OCT 26 BIG TEN CO-DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jamar Johnson, Indiana, Jr., S, Sarasota, Fla./Riverview,...Tallied a career-best 10 tackles, including a career-high seven solo stops, and his fourth-career interception in a victory over Penn State...Also recorded his second-career forced fumble, with his interception leading to three points and his forced fumble coming with Penn State at the Indiana 9-yard line...Has registered an interception in three straight games dating back to the 2019 season...Receives his first career Defensive Player of the Week honor...Last Indiana Defensive Player of the Week: Marcus Oliver (Oct. 31, 2016). - Big Ten Football

(DS#10 FS) Jr/2021

FS *Jamar Johnson, Indiana
News Source: Big Ten Football
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10/23/20 - Stephen Carr, rSr/2022, Indiana, 6-0, 211 (DS#66 RB) + More +

Coach Clay Helton said Monday that Carr has had "his best camp to date," while Jinks was similarly effusive in his praise of the senior all-purpose back. "He looks as good as he's ever been since I've been here," Jinks said. Over the previous two seasons, Carr never quite matched the standard he set in the first month of his freshman year, when he averaged 107 total yards per game and scored three times. He's equaled that yardage just three times and added eight touchdowns in the 25 games since. But as practices turned to full pads last week, coaches say they've seen a different version of Carr, one that dances less at the line of scrimmage and welcomes more contact in between the tackles. Both Jinks and Helton said Carr "set the tone" with his physicality during the first full-contact practice. "I just want to be more physical this year," Carr said. "That's really the only thing on my mind. The college world has seen a lot of what I can do when it comes to catching the ball out of the backfield, making people miss." A healthy hamstring should help on both accounts. After that injury sapped some of Carr's trademark explosiveness last year, Jinks said the senior added five or six inches to his vertical leap this offseason. That burst isn't the only mark of his improvement. Carr said he spent the offseason studying tape of Ronald Jones II, the former Trojans back starting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and still watches clips of him before some practices. Mentally, Carr said, he's never felt more prepared. - Los Angeles Times

(DS#66 RB) rSr/2022

RB Stephen Carr, Indiana
News Source: Los Angeles Times
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10/23/20 - Marcelino McCrary-Ball, rSr/2022, Indiana, 6-0, 212 (DS#25 SS) + More +

By outward appearances, Indiana senior defensive back Marcelino Ball was enjoying a breakthrough 2019 season. Ball thrived at the hybrid defensive back-linebacker husky position for IU, with two sacks, two pass breakups and a team-high six quarterback hurries. Inside, though, Ball was struggling, dealing with anxiety that comes with the week-by-week expectations of playing Big Ten football. "Although 2019 was a good year personally for me, as a team we went crazy, 8-4, but for me, it was a terrible year," Ball said. Ball said he's at peace now, even after a torn ACL at the start of camp four weeks ago sidelined him for the 2020 season. He was voted as one of five team captains and said he's ready to take on the role of player-coach, similar to a role former IU offensive lineman Coy Cronk provided when he went down with a season-ending injury last season.

"I'm keeping my mind right, with trying to communicate, stay close to the team," Ball said. "Trying to keep whatever I was improving on mentally in the game, keep improving on that, helping with my teammates." Ball said he is scheduled to undergo surgery Friday and wants to be on the sideline Saturday for IU's season opener against No. 8 Penn State (3:30 p.m., FS1). "I'd rather be a resource, a reason why we improve and win games from the sideline view rather than mope around because I'm not playing," Ball said. - Herald Bulletin

(DS#25 SS) rSr/2022

SS Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Indiana
News Source: Herald Bulletin
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10/20/20 - E.J. Williams Jr., rSr/2026, Indiana, 6-3, 205 (DS#115 WR) + More +

The true freshman receiver was in on Clemson's second offensive play and played early and often in the first half against the Yellow Jackets. Williams was targeted four times, finishing with two catches for 29 yards. He would have played more if the game would have been competitive, but with the Tigers leading by 45 points at halftime he wasn't needed in the second half. Swinney used a baking analogy to explain where Williams is in his career. "I kind of told him this week, I really felt like we got the cake out of the oven. The cake's baked. I asked him what his favorite icing is because that's really all we're doing with him is putting the icing on," Swinney said. "You see us getting him in there early. You're going to continue to see that. He's a very talented freshman. He's got a bright, bright future. He's a shot in the arm for us." - The State

(DS#115 WR) rSr/2026

WR E.J. Williams Jr., Indiana
News Source: The State
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10/03/20 - Raheem Layne, rSr/2022, Indiana, 5-11, 192 (DS#32 FS) + More +

Indiana suffered another blow to its secondary Friday when it was revealed senior defensive back Raheem Layne suffered an undisclosed injury that could sideline him for half the season. Indiana defensive coordinator Kane Wommack mentioned Layne's injury during a Zoom call with reporters but did not elaborate on its specifics. "He had surgery a while back, so I'm sure (IU head coach) Tom (Allen) will talk more about those things," Wommack said. "I don't know when the plan exactly is for him to be back. I haven't even looked at that. Not on the first-half of the season I would think." Layne was transitioning from cornerback to safety. In his first three years at IU, Layne made 13 career starts at cornerback, with 71 tackles, six pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. - Herald Bulletin

(DS#32 FS) rSr/2022

FS Raheem Layne, Indiana
News Source: Herald Bulletin
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10/02/20 - Shaun Shivers, rSr/2023, Indiana, 5-05, 187 (DS#46 RB) + More +

In Saturday's season opener, the Auburn Tigers had a so-so game on the ground against Kentucky. Now, the challenge for the Tigers is to jump start their rushing attack against one of the SEC's top defenses. Auburn running backs Shaun Shivers, D.J. Williams and Tank Bisby had 20 carries for 55 yards - an average of 2.8 yards per carry - in the Tigers' season-opening victory over Kentucky. While Bo Nix's contributions of five carries for 34 yards helped move the run game along, the other backfield members know they'll have to do more against a Bulldogs' defense that held Arkansas to 2.8 yards per carry last week.

"I feel the first time it was just something to get warmed up to see what we needed to work on. We see the things we need to work on and we're just going to improve every week," said Shivers, who led the way with six carries for 29 yards. "Our running game is going to be more productive, it was just the first game and week one. We see the things we need to work on and we're going to get better every week. I feel like the running game is going to be improved." Shivers' main critique of the running backs in Week 1 was they needed to be more patient, but he added the lack of a spring and limited summer meant the first game would likely be not as sound as they wanted. Still, the group did enough to help Auburn maintain balance in its play-calling - the team had 27 pass attempts and 30 runs - and ultimately reach 1-0. - Opelika-Auburn News

(DS#46 RB) rSr/2023

RB Shaun Shivers, Indiana
News Source: Opelika-Auburn News
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10/01/20 - Marcelino McCrary-Ball, rSr/2022, Indiana, 6-0, 212 (DS#25 SS) + More +

Indiana's young defense will go into the 2020 season without a key senior leader. Senior defensive back Marcelino Ball suffered a torn ACL during seven-on-seven practice drills last week and will be out for the season, IU head coach Tom Allen announced Monday. Allen said Ball will undergo surgery to repair his knee in the near future. "I hate that for him because he's been such a great player for us and matured as a young man," Allen said. The 6-foot, 220-pound Ball, from Roswell, Georgia, started 12 games at the hybrid defensive back-linebacker husky position for the Hoosiers last season, finishing with 47 tackles, two sacks and two pass breakups.

Allen said the injury was non-contact, with the tear coming after Ball planted on the turf. "It wasn't during a collision between two guys or even going against somebody," Allen said. "But that's an unfortunate reality of what sometimes can occur." With Ball out, Allen said junior defensive back Bryant Fitzgerald will move into the starting husky role this season. A hard-hitter, the 6-0, 209-pound Fitzgerald is making the transition from safety to husky after posting 58 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in his first two seasons. - Herald Bulletin

(DS#25 SS) rSr/2022

SS Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Indiana
News Source: Herald Bulletin
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09/28/20 - Marcelino McCrary-Ball, rSr/2022, Indiana, 6-0, 212 (DS#25 SS) + More +

The Indiana defense suffered a major setback long before the delayed 2020 season got started. Husky Marcelino Ball has suffered a torn ACL and is out for the season. Head coach Tom Allen broke the news on a video conference with the media on Monday. The injury was non-contact, resulting from planting on the turf according to Allen. In his fifth year at IU, 2020 was expected to be Ball's final season with the program. He also suffered a season ending injury three weeks into the 2017 season after making the ESPN and BTN All-Freshman team in 2016. Under new NCAA eligibility guidelines stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, Ball is able to return for the 2021 season as a sixth year senior if he so chooses. All fall athletes were granted an additional year of eligibility. - The Daily Hoosier

(DS#25 SS) rSr/2022

SS Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Indiana
News Source: The Daily Hoosier
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09/16/20 - D.J. Matthews Jr., rSr/2023, Indiana, 5-10, 160 (DS#999 WR) + More +

Norvell confirmed senior receiver D.J. Matthews has entered the transfer portal with intent to leave the program. "Sometimes when you go through transitions, there are some things that fit better than others and D.J.'s making a decision for his future and we fully support him in that decision," Norvell said of the move, which was first reported by AL.com and 247Sports.com. Matthews, who started 15 games, has been absent from the team after he spoke out on social media about Florida State's handling of COVID-19 safety protocol. Norvell told reporters last week he hadn't been in touch with the senior in several weeks. Matthews ranked second on the FSU roster in receiving last season with 36 catches for 355 yards and three touchdowns. He also was the Seminoles' primary punt returner with 19 returns for 125 yards. - Orlando Sentinel

(DS#999 WR) rSr/2023

WR D.J. Matthews Jr., Indiana
News Source: Orlando Sentinel
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09/09/20 - Stephen Carr, rSr/2022, Indiana, 6-0, 211 (DS#66 RB) + More +

2021 SENIOR BOWL WATCH LIST: Stephen Carr, USC,...Carr, who has 1,153 career rushing yards with 10 TDs as well as 47 receptions, ran for 396 yards with 5 TDs last fall and caught 22 passes, but missed 3 mid-season games with a hamstring strain. He also has returned 15 kickoffs in his career. - USC Football

(DS#66 RB) rSr/2022

RB Stephen Carr, Indiana
News Source: USC Football
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08/30/20 - Marcelino McCrary-Ball, rSr/2022, Indiana, 6-0, 212 (DS#25 SS) + More +

2021 SENIOR BOWL WATCH LIST: Marcelino Ball, Indiana,...Ball has appeared in 41 games (38 starts) and posted 201 tackles, 41 solo, in his Hoosier career. He has added 4.5 sacks, 15.5 stops for loss, three interceptions, 13 pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. The Roswell, Ga., native graduated with a liberal studies degree in May 2020. - Indiana Football

(DS#25 SS) rSr/2022

SS Marcelino McCrary-Ball, Indiana
News Source: Indiana Football
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08/30/20 - Camron Buckley, rSr/2023, Indiana, 6-1, 198 (DS#999 WR) + More +

Texas A&M's inexperienced receiving corps got a lot younger with a season-ending knee injury to senior Camron Buckley. Buckley had started only four games but played in every game since coming to A&M from Cedar Hill. He has 62 career receptions for 877 yards and four touchdowns. "You're talking about a guy that plays a lot of ball, been in a lot of games for two years, made a lot of plays," A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said Thursday on a Zoom conference call. "He's very multiple in his positions, and he can play not just in the slot. He can play outside at both places."

Buckley, who had surgery Wednesday, took to Twitter the day he was injured to say it was the worst day of his life. He posted another message on Thursday thanking his supporters. "Thank you everyone who has reached out to me," Buckley tweeted Thursday. "God has a plan for everyone & I trust His plan. Thank you to the 12th Man Foundation for providing facilities that allow me to come back stronger and better. Lastly, thank you 12th Man for your support since day one. I'll be back." Buckley had only 11 catches for 121 yards last year but could have played a bigger role this year after wide receivers Quartney Davis and Kendrick Rogers left for the NFL a year early and sophomore Ainias Smith moved to running back. - Bryan/College Station Eagle

(DS#999 WR) rSr/2023

WR Camron Buckley, Indiana
News Source: Bryan/College Station Eagle
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08/10/20 - Whop Philyor, Sr/2021, Indiana, 5-10, 184 (DS#40 WR) + More +

After a breakout junior season, Indiana wide receiver Whop Philyor contemplated declaring for the NFL draft. But Philyor was convinced to stay after a conversation with his mother, Holley Mouling. "Nobody in my family ever graduated college before," said Philyor, who is on track to earn a degree in liberal arts. "Nobody ever made it to college, so me and my sister, we wanted to be the first people to graduate from college, so that's probably the main reason. "The speedy Philyor also wanted to spend more time with his teammates and to try to do something special in his final year with the Hoosiers. Coming off a 2019 season that included 70 catches for 1,002 yards and five TDs, Philyor won't be sneaking up on teams this season.

Philyor was the focal point of Tennessee's game plan in the Gator Bowl last January, and the Vols held the second-team, All-Big Ten wide receiver to just one catch for 1 yard. IU co-offensive coordinator and receivers coach Grant Heard has challenged Philyor to read and understand coverages designed to stop him. "I feel comfortable about him knowing our playbook and what we ask him to do from our end," Heard said. "Now I'm putting pressure on him to know more defenses. What they're trying to do to take him away, to take certain plays away, why we're calling certain stuff, just to open his mind up and become a more well-rounded football player." The 5-foot-11, 177-pound Philyor said he's ready to face more double-teams, and expects there to be a trickle-down effect to the rest of an IU offense that ranked second in the Big Ten in passing last season. Philyor had three games in which he had 10 or more catches and four games in which he had 100 or more yards receiving. - Herald Bulletin

(DS#40 WR) Sr/2021

WR Whop Philyor, Indiana
News Source: Herald Bulletin
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07/27/20 - *Stevie Scott III, Jr/2021, Indiana, 6-0, 225 (DS#16 RB) + More +

2020 PRESEASON MAXWELL AWARD WATCH LIST: RB Stevie Scott, Indiana,...A Doak Walker Award candidate for the second-straight season, Scott heads into 2020 needing 18 yards to become the 14th Hoosier to reach 2,000. He shares eighth in program history with 20 rushing touchdowns, is tied for 10th with nine 100-yard games and shares 11th with 22 total TDs (20 rushing, 2 receiving). A second-team All-Big Ten selection one year ago, Scott finished fourth in the Big Ten in rushing yards per game (76.8), fifth in carries (178), tied for fifth in rushing touchdowns (10), tied for sixth in total TDs (11) and 10th in all-purpose yardage per game (96.0) despite missing the final two games due to injury. - Indiana Football

(DS#16 RB) Jr/2021

RB *Stevie Scott III, Indiana
News Source: Indiana Football
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