A quiet game is a deviation for him. Elia Sarratt is rarely omitted from the Statblad.
Last weekend’s season opener was not nice for the striking broad recipient of Indiana. The 2024 All-Big ten selection was not focused in the first half of the opener against Old Dominion.
He ended with three catches for 44 Yards, but could not get going.
This week it was a completely different story for the number 1 receiver from the first quarter. The second team All-American in the second season pulled his first catch on the second ride of the Indiana match.
Fernando Mendoza’s 13-Yard Pitch-and-Catch was the first of nine connections in the 56-9 Blowout victory of Indiana on Saturday.
“I was happy that he was going to work a bit,” said Indiana coach Curt Cignetti. “I was happy to see him escape and those two types connect a little.”
Later in the ride, Mendoza threw a perfect rear shoulder pass to Sarratt in the end zone.
Sarratt delivered his characteristic “IU” movement to the students in the West for the first time this season. That connection became the first touchdown of the duo of the 2025 season.
Defensive game plans will stop Sarratt. It happened last year in Big Ten Play and took place in the first two games of this season.
Last season, boys such as Myles Price, Keshawn Williams and Omar Cooper Jr. A monumental role in the success of Sarratt. With other weapons around him, defenses played Sarratt in a few coverage – a look that always lights up his eyes.
Just like last season, the Passcatchers around Sarratt played a key role to open it by forming threats themselves. Nine of his teammates caught a pass, something where the Stafford, Virginia, native said he was happy.
“It’s great,” said Sarratt. “I always say to the boys:” If you all catch a pass, it will just make it easier for me. ” I now realize that defenses will try to stop, so as long as my other boys eat, then it will help me. “
Mendoza and Sarratt were not satisfied with one touchdown in the first half. The tandem worked together twice more during the dominant 21-point third quarter of Indiana to push the lead to four scores.
A clear lack of chemistry teased the couple during the old Dominion game. In contrast to the last week, however, there was a strong connection between the Quarterback and his top recipient.
Mendoza expected the route from the recipient and Sarratt trusted his new quarterback to place the ball in the perfect place.
The experienced receiver ended the Saturday game with nine catches, collected 97 Yards and three touchdowns.
Sarratt ended with 13 goals and was the intended recipient of more than half of the 25 fitting of Mendoza. EJ Williams Jr. The second most came up and ended with three catches on four goals.
Even when Sarratt struggled to get down with certain catches, his quarterback continued to trust him. He was still willing to lean on him to make the big plays.
“I didn’t set him up enough in the first game,” said Mendoza. “Apparently I think I had focused enough on him today.”
There would always be growth pains between the two, especially in their first few competitions together. Yet in the first weekend of September, Mendoza and Sarratt smoothed things out.
A rating between the two was noticeable. Both plans explained in each of their postgame interviews to eliminate the other for a meal.
“I think I should take him out,” Sarratt said with a smile. “I told him that I am a guilty and one day I will take him out.”
Last year’s connection between Sarratt and Kurtis Rourke soon became a special one. And although it is too early to compare, the band he builds with his new Quarterback is on a route to surpass it.
A coming-out game was imminent for both players. After seeing a 50/50 ball coming in for a touchdown, the Quarterback understood how his top goal earned his nickname.
“He is a waffle house,” said Mendoza with a bitter smile.
After months of building chemistry, the duo finally clicked on the field. It was a breakthrough that could ensure that quiet games are a thing of the past for Sarratt.
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