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Starting A 'Dream' Opportunity For Peyton Ramsey

When IU head coach Tom Allen announced redshirt freshman Peyton Ramsey as the team's new starting quarterback, it was a dream come true for Ramsey.

Literally.

"This is what I've dreamed of," Ramsey said. "It's something that I've worked toward for a long time. It's exciting."

The Cincinnati (Ohio) Elder product now gets his shot to lead the offense full-time gameplan and game flow largely dictated how often he would see the field over the course of IU's first four games.

Within that role, he 60.4 percent of his passes for 316 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown.

Allen made it clear Monday that the job is Ramsey's alone and that there would be no more rotating between Ramsey and Lagow. Both Allen and offensive coordinator Mike DeBord said the offense will be built around Ramsey's skillset.

According to DeBord, Ramsey's greater mobility will aid the Hoosiers in opening up the run game, which will in turn help with ball control in terms of time of possession.

"We've had in some ways a bit of two offenses in that we've done some things different with Rich than we have with Peyton, and vice-versa," DeBord said. "It'll enable us to put everything around (Ramsey) now and do a little bit more that way too."

Ramsey isn't worried about replacing Lagow affecting their friendship or playing scared that a mistake or two will cost him the starting job.

"I don't want to have any bad plays, but it's the next play," Ramsey said. "You keep moving forward. That's how quarterbacks are supposed to play, whether you're the starter or coming off the bench. Play the next play."

With confidence from the coaching staff and the starting job solely his, Ramsey continues to focus on building chemistry with his teammates ahead of his debut Saturday against Charleston Southern.

That process first began last fall during his redshirt year, when he earned Scout Team Player of the Year.

"I think I earned the trust of the defense before I did the offense," he says. "The biggest thing is earning their trust. Teammates have to trust you, especially as the quarterback, to be successful."

For IU redshirt junior wide receiver Simmie Cobbs, nothing changes with Ramsey under center despite Ramsey's different skillset.

"It's something we're used to, because we practice with both Richard and Peyton," Cobbs said. "Both take the same amount of reps. It's just a different look."

Allen sought change in order to see Indiana's offensive move the chains more often score more points and "gives us the best opportunity to have success on game day.

He believes he found that solution in Ramsey.

"I feel like and our staff feels like that Peyton Ramsey is the person for that responsibility," Allen said.

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