Jaylin Lucas added a new dimension to his game after focusing on punt catching throughout the winter.

Jaylin Lucas, an All-American kick returner last year, had never punted before Saturday's game against Ohio State.

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Indiana can easily get its dangerous sophomore the ball in space in the return game.

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But catching and returning punts is different from kickoffs, so Lucas needed summer work.

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He appeared to have returned punts his entire football career Saturday.

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I was asked last year why he didn't return punts. He wasn't ready.

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After the game, IU head coach Tom Allen revealed he struggled to catch the ball.

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That's a hard skill to master. Especially against the punters we'll play.”

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Lucas began working with Indiana punter James Evans after the 2022 season and the spring semester.

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Evans pumped punts at Lucas, who practiced receiving.

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Lucas needed to improve, so they worked outside in Indiana winter for months. Evans claimed they worked twice a week all offseason.

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