WATCH: Phillip Dunnam Records Third Interception in Four Games

Indiana football safety Phillip Dunnam recorded his third interception in four games during the Hoosiers' Saturday night game against Akron. Dunnam picked off Akron quarterback D.J. Irons midway through the first quarter with the game tied at 0-0.
WATCH: Phillip Dunnam Records Third Interception in Four Games
WATCH: Phillip Dunnam Records Third Interception in Four Games /

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — No one loves making interceptions as much as Phillip Dunnam. 

Early in the first quarter of Indiana's game against Akron, the visitors from the MAC were driving, and deep in IU territory. The Hoosiers' offense had already punted the ball away on its first possession, meaning an Akron score would get coach Tom Allen and his team behind the eight ball early.

That's when No. 6 in black put on his Superman cape to pick off yet another quarterback in Akron's D.J. Irons. It's Dunnam's third interception in four games. 

Both Allen and new defensive coordinator Matt Guerrieri stressed the need for the Indiana defense to force more turnovers than it did in 2021 and 2022. Allen said on Monday that the team's goal is three takeaways each game, a mark they have not yet reached. 

But that shortcoming does not fall at the feet of Dunnam. The sophomore safety has three of the Indiana's four takeaways in the 2023 season, and has lifted the team's WWE commissioned takeaway belt more than any other Hoosier this year.  

After he picked off Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord in Week 1, Dunnam's coaches and teammates all said they weren't surprised. They said he intercepts passes all the time in practice, and is one of the best takeaway creators on the entire roster. 

Three games later, it looks like they all were very right about Dunnam. 

Related Stories on Indiana Football:

  • LIVE BLOG: Follow the coverage of Indiana vs Akron here with us at HoosiersNow.com by reading Jack Ankony's live blog. CLICK HERE
  • PREDICTION, 3 KEYS: Indiana football hosts Akron on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET at Memorial Stadium. In order to come away with a win, Indiana needs to improve its run game, see continued growth from quarterback Tayven Jackson and have a strong defensive performance for 60 minutes. CLICK HERE
  • HOW TO WATCH: Indiana football continues the 2023 season against the Akron Zips on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Here's how to watch, with game time and TV information, the latest on the point spread, series history, coaching information and more. CLICK HERE

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Daniel Olinger
DANIEL OLINGER

Daniel Olinger is a Sports Illustrated/FanNation reporter for HoosiersNow.com. He graduated from Northwestern University with degrees in both journalism and economics.