Indiana University Athletics
Simmons’ Intensity Impresses Wilson
10/28/2015 11:27:00 AM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Teammates described T.J. Simmons as "mad" and "anxious" last week. The junior linebacker's recent play wasn't meeting his own usual expectations.
After his game against Michigan State, it might not be a bad idea for Simmons to be mad more often.
Simmons put together arguably the best game of his career to date, setting career-highs with 15 tackles, 2.5 sacks and four tackles for loss.
Head coach Kevin Wilson took notice. He said Indiana needs more players playing the way Simmons did against the Spartans each week to get back to being a winning football team.
"You need only a couple viral people for something to become infectious," Wilson said. "I think (Simmons) said, 'I'm going to be the one guy.'"
Simmons' standout game has him second among Hoosiers in tackles with 55. He's also fifth in tackles for loss and fourth in sacks, with all 2.5 coming at Spartans' quarterback Connor Cook's expense.
Simmons was one of a few players Wilson complimented by name on Monday while reviewing the MSU game. Simmons' sense of urgency stood out to Wilson, who said more people need to start playing with the intensity and composure Simmons played with last week to get IU back on track.
"It's frustrating that we're close because we don't do this to be close," Simmons said postgame on Saturday. "We do this to win."
If Simmons and his teammates can replicate his performance from Saturday, wins may not be that far off.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Teammates described T.J. Simmons as "mad" and "anxious" last week. The junior linebacker's recent play wasn't meeting his own usual expectations.
After his game against Michigan State, it might not be a bad idea for Simmons to be mad more often.
Simmons put together arguably the best game of his career to date, setting career-highs with 15 tackles, 2.5 sacks and four tackles for loss.
Head coach Kevin Wilson took notice. He said Indiana needs more players playing the way Simmons did against the Spartans each week to get back to being a winning football team.
"You need only a couple viral people for something to become infectious," Wilson said. "I think (Simmons) said, 'I'm going to be the one guy.'"
Simmons' standout game has him second among Hoosiers in tackles with 55. He's also fifth in tackles for loss and fourth in sacks, with all 2.5 coming at Spartans' quarterback Connor Cook's expense.
Simmons was one of a few players Wilson complimented by name on Monday while reviewing the MSU game. Simmons' sense of urgency stood out to Wilson, who said more people need to start playing with the intensity and composure Simmons played with last week to get IU back on track.
"It's frustrating that we're close because we don't do this to be close," Simmons said postgame on Saturday. "We do this to win."
If Simmons and his teammates can replicate his performance from Saturday, wins may not be that far off.
Players Mentioned
LB
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