IU football quarterback Connor Bazelak to transfer after one season with Hoosiers

Wilson Moore, Indianapolis Star
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Connor Bazelak will spend just one season at IU. The redshirt junior quarterback announced plans to enter the portal Tuesday as a graduate transfer.

Bazelak started the first eight games of 2022, guiding the Hoosiers to three wins to begin the season, including two 300-yard performances in comeback wins over Illinois and Western Kentucky. IU then went 1-8 the rest of the way and failed to qualify for a bowl game. Bazelak was injured and didn’t suit up for IU’s Nov. 5 game with Penn State before reclaiming his starting job the next week at Ohio State. Dexter Williams II replaced him after three uninspired series against the Buckeyes.

Williams started the next two games, but injured his knee late in the first quarter of the finale against Purdue. Bazelak reentered and completed 24 of 42 attempts for 201 yards and a touchdown on what turned out to be his last pass as a Hoosier.

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In his lone season in Bloomington, Bazelak threw for 2,312 yards and 13 touchdowns. He’s one of three IU quarterbacks who have announced intentions to transfer so far. Coach Tom Allen confirmed in October that backup Jack Tuttle would leave at the end of the year. Monday, Grant Gremel announced he would transfer as well.

Bazelak committed to IU in January after three seasons at Missouri, two of them as the starter, and was SEC Co-Freshman of the Year in 2020. He struggled with injuries and productivity down the stretch in 2021, losing his starting spot before the Tigers’ bowl game. He entered the portal the next day, finishing his career at Missouri with 5084 yards, 23 touchdowns and 17 interceptions while completing 66% of his throws.

His departure leaves Williams, who enters the offseason having to recover from a knee injury, as the only quarterback on the roster with more than one college appearance. Freshman Brendan Sorsby and redshirt junior Will Jontz have played in one game apiece.

Bazelak will have two years of eligibility left when he enters the portal, which opens Monday.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IU football: Connor Bazelak to transfer after 1 season with Hoosiers