Wilson Likes Energy, Needs More Efficient Third-Down Play
11/5/2015 2:59:00 PM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Results are a problem. Attitude is not.
Even in the midst of a four-game losing streak, head coach Kevin Wilson said Monday that he likes the response he's seen from his team in recent practices.
Indiana's players are still buying in, Wilson said. They're just not breaking through.
"I think as players for the most part, I'm very impressed with how our group has handled a lot of coming to workdays every day, good or bad," Wilson said. "I don't think this team has been a team that's been a roller coaster up and down with energy. I thought we were a little stale at Penn State. But other than that, there has not been a lot of visuals of I didn't like the body language or the effort or the attitude and energy."
Energy has, at times, been a problem for Indiana. Wilson blamed a lack of energy and competitiveness after IU's loss to Penn State, the Hoosiers' lone one-sided game this season. He also said he didn't like the energy and mindset on the sidelines late in Indiana's losses to Michigan State and Rutgers.
Indiana (4-4, 0-4) will have a chance to recapture some of the energy Wilson saw and liked early in the season against No. 10 Iowa (8-0, 4-0) Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
Wilson has long talked about the value of energy. This week, he'll hope to get it back against one of three remaining undefeated teams in the Big Ten.
"At the end of the day, it's going to come down to team football," Wilson said. "Iowa's coming in playing good team football. We started our year playing good team football. We need all three phases to contribute and get the W we want this week."
Part of playing good team football will be stronger play on third down, where Indiana has struggled in recent weeks.
The Hoosiers have allowed Big Ten opponents to covert on 47 percent of their third downs, while converting only 29 percent of their own.
Wilson said Indiana's offense should be more efficient with junior running back Jordan Howard healthy again. His yardage early in drives can make third-down tries more manageable, Wilson said. The more efficient IU is in keeping drives alive and the better the defense is at getting Iowa off the field, the more likely Indiana is to win.
Wilson spent extra time trying to simulate third-down opportunities in practice this week to give his players a sense of game pressure. If they can stay energized and confident in their play, Wilson likes his team's chances against another top-ranked Big Ten opponent.
"It's a total team deal," Wilson said. "I think our football team has the talent to play a good game against these guys."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Results are a problem. Attitude is not.
Even in the midst of a four-game losing streak, head coach Kevin Wilson said Monday that he likes the response he's seen from his team in recent practices.
Indiana's players are still buying in, Wilson said. They're just not breaking through.
"I think as players for the most part, I'm very impressed with how our group has handled a lot of coming to workdays every day, good or bad," Wilson said. "I don't think this team has been a team that's been a roller coaster up and down with energy. I thought we were a little stale at Penn State. But other than that, there has not been a lot of visuals of I didn't like the body language or the effort or the attitude and energy."
Energy has, at times, been a problem for Indiana. Wilson blamed a lack of energy and competitiveness after IU's loss to Penn State, the Hoosiers' lone one-sided game this season. He also said he didn't like the energy and mindset on the sidelines late in Indiana's losses to Michigan State and Rutgers.
Indiana (4-4, 0-4) will have a chance to recapture some of the energy Wilson saw and liked early in the season against No. 10 Iowa (8-0, 4-0) Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
Wilson has long talked about the value of energy. This week, he'll hope to get it back against one of three remaining undefeated teams in the Big Ten.
"At the end of the day, it's going to come down to team football," Wilson said. "Iowa's coming in playing good team football. We started our year playing good team football. We need all three phases to contribute and get the W we want this week."
Part of playing good team football will be stronger play on third down, where Indiana has struggled in recent weeks.
The Hoosiers have allowed Big Ten opponents to covert on 47 percent of their third downs, while converting only 29 percent of their own.
Wilson said Indiana's offense should be more efficient with junior running back Jordan Howard healthy again. His yardage early in drives can make third-down tries more manageable, Wilson said. The more efficient IU is in keeping drives alive and the better the defense is at getting Iowa off the field, the more likely Indiana is to win.
Wilson spent extra time trying to simulate third-down opportunities in practice this week to give his players a sense of game pressure. If they can stay energized and confident in their play, Wilson likes his team's chances against another top-ranked Big Ten opponent.
"It's a total team deal," Wilson said. "I think our football team has the talent to play a good game against these guys."
Players Mentioned
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