Sudfeld guides Indiana’s air attack

IOWA CITY — Indiana quarterback Nate Sudfeld survived challenges early in his career.

First he battled Tre Roberson, who eventually transferred to Illinois State. Then it was Cameron Coffman, who now plays for Wyoming. Sudfeld stayed at Indiana (4-4, 0-4 Big Ten), and the statistics have followed. Now, he just needs to win.

Sudfeld, a senior, leads the Big Ten in passing yards per game at 292.7. He missed one game with an ankle injury and still has 2,049 passing yards, just 21 shy of Michigan State's Connor Cook for the league high. Over his last two games, Sudfeld has completed 55 of 79 passes for 772 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions.

'He's a really good quarterback,' Iowa cornerback Greg Mabin said. '(Defensive coordinator Phil) Parker said he can throw the ball in the bucket. So he's definitely got great accuracy, great decision-making and he doesn't make too many mistakes. It's going to be a tough challenge for us.'

Sudfeld stands 6-foot-6, weighs 240 pounds and can make every throw. He's in the top five at Indiana in 300-yard games (eight), completions (488), passing yards (6,355), total offense (6,443) and attempts (797). He's No. 1 in career completion percentage (61.2) and tied for first in touchdown passes (48).

'He's got a decent skill set with size,' Indiana Coach Kevin Wilson said. 'I think for a big guy, he's got a quick arm, he's got good football movement within the pocket. Even though he's not necessarily a running quarterback, he gets the ball out of his hands quickly. I think he can move in the pocket and have really quick quarterback movements so he can play in rhythm, play within himself, not be late with the ball.'

Sudfeld has faced Iowa two other times in his career. He shook off an early pick-six against the Hawkeyes in a 24-21 Indiana win in 2012. He completed 10 of 16 passes that day for 91 yards while splitting time with Coffman. Last year, Sudfeld was 4 of 9 for 85 yards, a touchdown and an interception (which was returned for a touchdown by Iowa's Desmond King) before he suffered a season-ending injury. A combination tackle of Iowa's Carl Davis and Drew Ott separated Sudfeld's left shoulder.

But Sudfeld returned from the injury and has soared offensively. In a 55-52 loss to Rutgers, Sudfeld earned career highs in completions (32), attempts (42), yards (464) and touchdown passes (four).

'He knows how to operate that offense really well,' Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said. 'He can make all the throws you have to make.'

Sudfeld has received less attention that other quarterbacks around the Big Ten like Michigan State's Connor Cook and Penn State's Christian Hackenberg. But his pro potential is just as obvious.

'I think the more he's played, the better he sees defenses,' Wilson said. 'He's more comfortable and confident, and I still think his best football is ahead of him. I think he's playing very good football for us, but I think he's a young guy with a lot of upside as he finishes his senior year. He'll have an opportunity at the next level. I think he's a solid quarterback, he's working hard and he's getting better.'

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