Indiana coach Tom Allen said Monday that team captain Noah Pierre will be out for an extended period of time.
Pierre plays Indiana's husky position on defense, a hybrid safety-linebacker role that combines pass coverage and run-game responsibilities.
He went down with just over five minutes left in the first quarter of Indiana's 31-14 loss to Rutgers on Saturday. Allen did not specify what the injury was, and it is not clear on the replay either.
Pierre was one of several Hoosiers involved in tackling Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt. He initially emerged from the pile after the tackle, then fell back to the ground. Pierre was carted off the field with medical staff and appeared to be favoring his left leg. Teammates huddled around Pierre sitting on the cart in support.
Pierre was named one of five team captains in 2023, along with Aaron Casey, Mike Katic, Cam Camper and Andre Carter. He's played in 49 games since the 2018 season as one of Indiana's most experienced and talented players.
"He's been such a great player for us, great leader for us," Allen said Monday. "I feel like we have some depth at that spot, but obviously losing a guy like Noah for an extended period of time is tough, a tough blow without question, but he's going to continue to be a great leader for us and continue to get himself back as soon as possible."
Without Pierre, Indiana will rely on Phillip Dunnam, Louis Moore, Amare Ferrell, Jordan Grier and Bryson Bonds at the various safety positions.
Ferrell, a true freshman, got the biggest chance of his young career Saturday against Rutgers. He led the team with seven solo tackles, good for third among Hoosiers in total tackles.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound safety joined Indiana before the 2023 season as a three-star recruit out of Columbia High School in Lake City, Fla. Ferrell was ranked No. 578 overall, No. 53 among safeties and No. 99 in the state of Florida, per the 247 Sports Composite, making him Indiana's second-highest ranked recruit in the class of 2022, behind defensive end Ta'Derius Collins.
Allen is intrigued by his potential.
"He's a guy that even when you asked the older players once we started practicing since he's been here, it's been, like, 'Hey, this guy has got something different about him,'" Allen said. "He's a physical player. He kind of understands the game. He's a kid that's played a lot of football being from Florida where you have spring football, so he kind of brought that edge and confidence to him."
"He had a chance to play an extended period of time on Saturday, which he was ready when called upon, and he's going to have to continue to grow in that role. Really excited for his future. He's a guy that we made a decision even several weeks ago that we were not going to redshirt him because he was too valuable to us and playing on defense, as well, special teams. So really excited for his future."
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