What Indiana Running Back Jaylin Lucas Said After 41-7 Win Over Indiana State

Indiana State had no answer for Indiana running back Jaylin Lucas Friday night, as he rushed for 88 yards and two touchdowns, while also hauling in four receptions for 39 yards. Here's what Lucas said after the game.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana running back Jaylin Lucas played a key role in the Hoosiers 41-7 win over Indiana State Friday night.

He ran the ball 10 times for 88 yards and two touchdowns and also caught four passes for 39 yards. 

Here's what Lucas, still just a sophomore, said after the win.

Indiana's Jaylin Lucas (12) runs behind Zach Carpenter (50) during the first half of the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023.

Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK

Q: You had a really great game. What's the difference from last week to this week for yourself?

Lucas: I could say just the execution of coming and attacking the game well. I still feel like we didn't do enough. I expect more from myself.

Q: Why is that?

Lucas: I dropped the fumble. Ball security.

Q: Did they punch the ball out on the fumble? I didn't see it close up.

Lucas: I guess I had it a little loose. I got to have ball security. I guess the contact from the hit just had the ball come out.

Q: What did you feel like was working tonight? You guys were really getting the run game working inside, outside, different things.

Lucas: The way the line was blocking, that was a big key to that. Also I think the outside zone was a big factor today and the o-line really blocked well.

Q: You guys had I think nine different guys catch passes. Why were so many guys productive?

Lucas: So many guys were productive, we came and executed the right way in practice. You practice how you play. Omar Cooper played a big role. [Donaven McCulley] had some big catches. Everybody contributed today.

Q: Your thoughts on Omar? A lot of us saw him in high school.

Lucas: Omar is a great guy. He always has great ball skills, and he's always looking to attack each and every day.

Q: Your thoughts on Tayven [Jackson] getting his first career touchdown?

Lucas: Tayven, man, he did well today. I expected that from Tayven, man. I just love being a part of that QB room, and just the things the bring to the team is great.

Q: Tom Allen didn't name a starter moving forward tonight, but how do you guys as running backs approach knowing two guys are going to play?

Lucas: As a running back approaching two guys playing, it really doesn't matter. It's just all about coming out with the W at the end of the day and having the right execution.

Q: Do you dream about seeing holes like that on your touchdown runs?

Lucas: I always dream of seeing holes like that. Always.

Q: Jaylin, talk about catching the ball out of the backfield tonight. It added a new element with you and Josh Henderson getting to do that in addition to running the ball. Do you feel that that makes the defense have to respect you even more than they already do?

Lucas: Yes, just get me out in space in one-on-one really. Just getting one-on-one's with DB's and outside linebackers. I feel like outside linebackers can't guard me. If you press me, it doesn't matter. If you play off, I'm just going to get across you.

Q: Can you take us through that first touchdown and what you saw on that play and how you broke free?

Lucas: All I seen was a big gap. All I seen was [Zach Carpenter] coming to pull, the center, but all I seen was a big hole. I hit it, stayed true to my gap. 

Q: How do you feel like the offensive line has played this year?

Lucas: The offensive line has played well. I ain't never seen no blocking like this before, honestly. 

Q: We kind of saw this last year with Dexter [Williams II], but having a quarterback, whether it's Tayven or Brendan, that can run, what is the potential for the offense when it has you and a mobile quarterback?

Lucas: Y'all seen the proof in the pudding out there today. Great completions, completing the ball everywhere. I'm just proud of both the quarterbacks right now.

Q: No matter who the quarterback is, how much, maybe not a relief, but what does it mean to know there's going to be one guy out there and you won't have to worry about that discussion going on?

Lucas: Like I said, it really doesn't matter to me. I'm just happy to have both of them. 

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• WHAT TOM ALLEN SAID: Indiana football coach Tom Allen met with media following the Hoosiers' 41-7 win over Indiana State Friday Night at Memorial Stadium. Here's everything he said. CLICK HERE
• WATCH JAYLIN LUCAS TD: Indiana running back Jaylin Lucas scored the first touchdown of the season for coach Tom Allen and the Hoosiers on Friday night in the team's game against Indiana State. CLICK HERE
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• BLOOMINGTON'S MADDIX BLACKWELL SCORED TD FOR INDIANA STATE: Former Bloomington South football player Maddix Blackwell scored the first touchdown of the game for the Indiana State Sycamores and coach Curt Mallory on Friday night against coach Tom Allen and the Indiana Hoosiers. Blackwell returned a Jaylin Lucas fumble 75 yards to make the score 21-7 late in the second quarter. CLICK HERE