Widely expected bad news and continuing uncertainty highlighted IU head football coach Tom Allen’s regular Monday press conference.

Senior Coy Cronk started all 40 games in which he has appeared at left tackle, missing one game due to injury since his arrival at Indiana. He had earned an “iron man” reputation in and around the IU football program.

Unfortunately, Cronk is going to miss a lot more games due to injury, as Allen indicated today that the Lafayette native has been lost for the season.

“Coy Cronk, unfortunately, as many of you saw during the game, experienced a lower leg injury that was serious, so he’ll be having surgery this week and will be out for the season,” Allen said.

Under the new NCAA redshirt rules implemented in 2018, Cronk would be eligible to return for a fifth year.

Allen indicated that there has been no discussion yet regarding whether Cronk might redshirt and return for Indiana in 2020.

DaVondre Love filled in immediately for Cronk last week and could be the starter at left tackle going forward, but that isn’t clearly defined right now. Right tackle Caleb Jones will be expected to play some at left tackle situationally according to Allen, and true freshman Matthew Bedford and redshirt freshman Aidan Rafferty will see increasing roles as well.

See also: Cronk’s coach and teammates show respect for fallen leader.

Allen was not as definitive when it came to the health of starting quarterback Michael Penix.

“At quarterback, it will be a game time decision for that position,” Allen said. “I am really pleased with Peyton’s (Ramsey) play, and the way he’s led and continues to do a great job. Michael has been rehabbing, and that continues to go well, and we’ll find out more here throughout the week and then make a decision for that position on game day.”

Allen also commented that he does expect Penix to practice and throw this week during practice. “We’ll see how his body responds to that,” Allen said.

The redshirt freshman was in uniform but did not throw the football during pre-game warm-ups against UConn.

The precise nature of Penix’s injury has not been disclosed, although video released by WDRB seems to indicate that it relates to the left hander’s throwing shoulder.

On the season, Penix is 38-for-60 with 523 passing yards to go with three touchdowns and two interceptions. The Tampa, Fla. native has added 79 yards rushing on nine carries.

Ramsey is 55-for-74 (74 percent) on pass attempts for 635 yards thus far on the 2019 season filling in for Penix over the last three weeks. He has thrown five touchdowns and two interceptions.

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