IU Defensive Boost Could Bode Well Against Michigan
10/11/2017 5:10:00 PM | Football
By: Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana's defensive performance for the ages still resonates.
You shut out an opponent and allow zero completions and passing yards, as the Hoosiers did in last Saturday's 27-0 win over Charleston Southern, and job-well-done acknowledgement follows.
Yes, that's not Big Ten reality. Michigan, even with an offense that generated just 10 points in last Saturday's loss to Michigan State, will push the Hoosiers hard during Saturday's Homecoming battle.
Still, the Cream 'n Crimson performance showcased what can happen when focus meets talent meets opportunity.
Now comes the key question -- can IU (3-2) repeat that focus against a program it hasn't beaten in 30 years?
"Your edge changes with a different opponent," linebacker Chris Covington says, "but you have to have the same mindset. At the same time, your edge has to be even bigger because of the opponent.
"Getting back to Big Ten play, it's important to keep our edge. I think we'll be able to do that."
One of All-America linebacker Tegray Scales' many responsibilities is to push for that edge. It starts with perspective.
"Getting the shutout was nice," he says, "but that's what we were supposed to do. Afterward there wasn't a big pat on the back, but zero points is huge against anybody. It was a big accomplishment."
Getting close to that kind of performance against No. 17 Michigan (4-1), Scales adds, would be bigger even as he follows coach Tom Allen's guideline on how to approach it.
"This is our biggest game of the year," he says, "not because it's Michigan, but because it's the next game.
"We embrace the process. We're looking forward to Saturday."
Allen has spent his two years in Bloomington changing the defensive culture. What was once submission and softness is now resilience and toughness. So he appreciates what the Hoosiers did against Charleston Southern -- a triple-option run team that can exploit unfocused defenses -- even while acknowledging the talent disparity that made it possible.
"I was encouraged by the discipline of our defense," Allen says. "Your eyes can play tricks on you a little bit in that system. And to hold a team to a shutout, the first time since 1993, is a big deal. I think it's hard to do that, no matter who you're playing.
"And not allowing them to have any (passing) yards, it's one of the only times in school history that's happened. I'm so proud of our secondary for being disciplined and being in the right position. Just thought we tackled well as a group and were in good fits and just played assignment sound and did some good things. Very encouraged there."
Only seven times in school history has IU held an opponent to zero pass completions. The zero passing yards is second best to the minus-2 yards Purdue managed against the Hoosiers in 1945.
How much of it was Charleston Southern struggles and how much was Hoosier defensive excellence?
"I don't think I can remember in 25 years of coaching that we held a team to zero catches," Allen says. "It's not something that's easy to do or happens frequently.
"When you watch the film, there were not open receivers that just dropped balls, which sometimes happens. And I thought that our guys were very, very disciplined.
"Charleston Southern tried several play-action wheel concepts that if you go back two weeks ago we gave up a couple of those against Georgia Southern. One was a touchdown and one was a big play. So bottom line is I think it was a combination of both. Just to be in the right spot (to defend the pass) is what you want. That was encouraging."
The result is a confidence boost that could have big Saturday consequences.
"We take a lot of pride in our defense," Allen says. "Our kids work really hard at it. We made a big deal about the shutout to them, once we got it.
"I understand (Charleston Southern) is not a Big Ten team. We're not going to over-blow that, but I do know that doesn't always happen. We've played (lower-division teams) in the past and given up almost 50 points. You don't take anything for granted."
IU's defensive prospects against Michigan could rest with its ability to force takeaways. The Hoosiers didn't force any against Charleston Southern. It only has four for the season -- one interception, three fumble recoveries.
Yes, Allen noticed.
"We dropped a pick-6 that we can't do. We dropped another pick. So we continue to emphasize that.
"We worked on the JUGS machines (on Sunday) and are going to continue to get what we want from that. We did a whole summary of our opportunities for takeaways (for the season), and we have had like over 30 of them in the first five games.
"So we are going to do a great job of helping our guys see where those opportunities are and make sure we take advantage of those."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana's defensive performance for the ages still resonates.
You shut out an opponent and allow zero completions and passing yards, as the Hoosiers did in last Saturday's 27-0 win over Charleston Southern, and job-well-done acknowledgement follows.
Yes, that's not Big Ten reality. Michigan, even with an offense that generated just 10 points in last Saturday's loss to Michigan State, will push the Hoosiers hard during Saturday's Homecoming battle.
Still, the Cream 'n Crimson performance showcased what can happen when focus meets talent meets opportunity.
Now comes the key question -- can IU (3-2) repeat that focus against a program it hasn't beaten in 30 years?
"Your edge changes with a different opponent," linebacker Chris Covington says, "but you have to have the same mindset. At the same time, your edge has to be even bigger because of the opponent.
"Getting back to Big Ten play, it's important to keep our edge. I think we'll be able to do that."
One of All-America linebacker Tegray Scales' many responsibilities is to push for that edge. It starts with perspective.
"Getting the shutout was nice," he says, "but that's what we were supposed to do. Afterward there wasn't a big pat on the back, but zero points is huge against anybody. It was a big accomplishment."
Getting close to that kind of performance against No. 17 Michigan (4-1), Scales adds, would be bigger even as he follows coach Tom Allen's guideline on how to approach it.
"This is our biggest game of the year," he says, "not because it's Michigan, but because it's the next game.
"We embrace the process. We're looking forward to Saturday."
Allen has spent his two years in Bloomington changing the defensive culture. What was once submission and softness is now resilience and toughness. So he appreciates what the Hoosiers did against Charleston Southern -- a triple-option run team that can exploit unfocused defenses -- even while acknowledging the talent disparity that made it possible.
"I was encouraged by the discipline of our defense," Allen says. "Your eyes can play tricks on you a little bit in that system. And to hold a team to a shutout, the first time since 1993, is a big deal. I think it's hard to do that, no matter who you're playing.
"And not allowing them to have any (passing) yards, it's one of the only times in school history that's happened. I'm so proud of our secondary for being disciplined and being in the right position. Just thought we tackled well as a group and were in good fits and just played assignment sound and did some good things. Very encouraged there."
Only seven times in school history has IU held an opponent to zero pass completions. The zero passing yards is second best to the minus-2 yards Purdue managed against the Hoosiers in 1945.
How much of it was Charleston Southern struggles and how much was Hoosier defensive excellence?
"I don't think I can remember in 25 years of coaching that we held a team to zero catches," Allen says. "It's not something that's easy to do or happens frequently.
"When you watch the film, there were not open receivers that just dropped balls, which sometimes happens. And I thought that our guys were very, very disciplined.
"Charleston Southern tried several play-action wheel concepts that if you go back two weeks ago we gave up a couple of those against Georgia Southern. One was a touchdown and one was a big play. So bottom line is I think it was a combination of both. Just to be in the right spot (to defend the pass) is what you want. That was encouraging."
The result is a confidence boost that could have big Saturday consequences.
"We take a lot of pride in our defense," Allen says. "Our kids work really hard at it. We made a big deal about the shutout to them, once we got it.
"I understand (Charleston Southern) is not a Big Ten team. We're not going to over-blow that, but I do know that doesn't always happen. We've played (lower-division teams) in the past and given up almost 50 points. You don't take anything for granted."
IU's defensive prospects against Michigan could rest with its ability to force takeaways. The Hoosiers didn't force any against Charleston Southern. It only has four for the season -- one interception, three fumble recoveries.
Yes, Allen noticed.
"We dropped a pick-6 that we can't do. We dropped another pick. So we continue to emphasize that.
"We worked on the JUGS machines (on Sunday) and are going to continue to get what we want from that. We did a whole summary of our opportunities for takeaways (for the season), and we have had like over 30 of them in the first five games.
"So we are going to do a great job of helping our guys see where those opportunities are and make sure we take advantage of those."
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