Tuesday Notes – Hoosiers Defense 'Focused’ for Wisconsin
10/31/2017 6:02:00 PM | Football
By: Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Hoosiers expect better from their defense.
The good news -- they're built to deliver it.
IU under coach Tom Allen has ratcheted up defensive expectations. It pushes a top-25 standard -- it leads the nation in forcing three-and-outs at 6.8 a game -- that didn't happen during Saturday's 42-39 loss at Maryland.
Can the Hoosiers (3-5) reach that standard Saturday against No. 4 Wisconsin (8-0)?
Absolutely, defensive back Tony Field said.
"It was not the performance we wanted," he said, "but we've been playing well all year and plan on doing the same thing this weekend."
IU gave up 174 rushing yards and 171 passing yards. It couldn't force field goals to minimize the damage from a first-quarter interception and Maryland's 80-plus-yard fourth quarter kickoff return.
How do the Hoosiers fix it?
"We have to keep focusing," defensive back Tony Fields said. "We have to get back to doing what we do. Get back to the basics. Playing hard, running to the ball, tacking well."
Added defensive tackle Nate Hoff: "It's very important that we bounce back. We didn't play as well as we should have, so this will be a huge week for us to come back and play like we should."
NO CONCESSION
Three straight cliffhanger losses -- 27-20 in overtime to Michigan, 17-9 at Michigan State, 42-39 at Maryland -- haven't broken the Hoosiers, Hoff said.
"The resilience comes from inside because it is rough," he said. "But if you keep your head up and keeping listening to the coaches, you'll be fine."
There is no concession, he added.
"It (stinks), but if you keep to the grindstone and keep working, it will come through."
Added Fields: "We built that (resilience) in the offseason, grinding hard, pushing each other to the max in the weight room, fighting and running.
"We'd go to the point when we felt we couldn't go any more, and then we'd go some more. That got us mentally strong. That's why we keep bouncing back.
"This week we're looking to get a victory. Keep watching film, keep preparing and fighting."
A 'FUN' FIGHT
Forget finesse. Wisconsin aims to steam roll opponents with power running. It leads the Big Ten in rushing at 245.8 yards a game.
Freshman tailback Jonathan Taylor averages a Big Ten-leading 148.1 rushing yards a game (1,185 yards for the season). His 11 rushing touchdowns also are a conference best. He already has three 200-yard rushing games.
Hoff wouldn't want it any other way.
"They're a traditional offense and like to run downhill, which is pretty exciting for us (defensive linemen)," Hoff said.
Why?
"There's more action for the D-Line," he said with a laugh. "It shows how tough you are. If you don't fight back, they'll get you. It's a fun game for us."
As usual, the Badgers' offensive line rates among the nation's best. These Hoosiers, unlike those of the last two decades, seem equipped to handle it.
"At the end of the day," Hoff said, "it's like playing any other offensive line. You have to know your Ps and Qs, or they'll get you. As long as you play with good pad level and technique and hands, you'll be fine."
The Badgers can hurt you with the pass behind quarterback Alex Hornibrook, who has thrown for 1,570 yards and 13 touchdowns. Quintez Cephus is a big-play receiver, averaging 17.0 yards a catch with five touchdowns.
It's a big challenge, but as Hoff said, "I'm excited. This is what we've worked for all year. We just have to keep working hard. "
RECEIVING ENCORE
Receivers Simmie Cobbs Jr., Luke Timian and Whop Philyor combined for 36 catches for 356 yards and four touchdowns against Maryland.
Duplicating those numbers against Wisconsin will be difficult. The Badgers rank fifth nationally in scoring defense, allowing 12.9 points, and fifth in total defense, allowing 268.0 yards. They lead the nation in passing efficiency defense, at 95.9, which measures opponents' completion percentage, yards per pass attempt, passing touchdowns allowed and interceptions.
"They're a good defense," Cobbs said. "They're solid. Their corners and safeties look good. The defensive line is very strong.
"We have to make plays, get the line blocked up front, and make sure the quarterback gets his reads in. Just play ball."
BIG DIFFERENCE
Wisconsin's power offense is a big contrast from Maryland's spread-you-out-speed approach.
"You have to have different personnel groups to match that style," Allen said. "This is the biggest, strongest and most physical offense we've faced. They have a heavy emphasis on running. It's completely different than what we faced at Maryland."
UNBEATEN BADGERS
How tough is IU's challenge on Saturday?
Wisconsin is one of five remaining unbeaten FBS teams. The others are No. 1 Alabama (8-0), No. 2 Georgia (8-0), No. 9 Miami (7-0) and No. 15 Central Florida (7-0). The Badgers' nine-game winning streak ties Georgia for the second-longest in the nation.
Miami leads with a 12-game streak.
Wisconsin has won a school-record 11 straight Big Ten games.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Hoosiers expect better from their defense.
The good news -- they're built to deliver it.
IU under coach Tom Allen has ratcheted up defensive expectations. It pushes a top-25 standard -- it leads the nation in forcing three-and-outs at 6.8 a game -- that didn't happen during Saturday's 42-39 loss at Maryland.
Can the Hoosiers (3-5) reach that standard Saturday against No. 4 Wisconsin (8-0)?
Absolutely, defensive back Tony Field said.
"It was not the performance we wanted," he said, "but we've been playing well all year and plan on doing the same thing this weekend."
IU gave up 174 rushing yards and 171 passing yards. It couldn't force field goals to minimize the damage from a first-quarter interception and Maryland's 80-plus-yard fourth quarter kickoff return.
How do the Hoosiers fix it?
"We have to keep focusing," defensive back Tony Fields said. "We have to get back to doing what we do. Get back to the basics. Playing hard, running to the ball, tacking well."
Added defensive tackle Nate Hoff: "It's very important that we bounce back. We didn't play as well as we should have, so this will be a huge week for us to come back and play like we should."
NO CONCESSION
Three straight cliffhanger losses -- 27-20 in overtime to Michigan, 17-9 at Michigan State, 42-39 at Maryland -- haven't broken the Hoosiers, Hoff said.
"The resilience comes from inside because it is rough," he said. "But if you keep your head up and keeping listening to the coaches, you'll be fine."
There is no concession, he added.
"It (stinks), but if you keep to the grindstone and keep working, it will come through."
Added Fields: "We built that (resilience) in the offseason, grinding hard, pushing each other to the max in the weight room, fighting and running.
"We'd go to the point when we felt we couldn't go any more, and then we'd go some more. That got us mentally strong. That's why we keep bouncing back.
"This week we're looking to get a victory. Keep watching film, keep preparing and fighting."
A 'FUN' FIGHT
Forget finesse. Wisconsin aims to steam roll opponents with power running. It leads the Big Ten in rushing at 245.8 yards a game.
Freshman tailback Jonathan Taylor averages a Big Ten-leading 148.1 rushing yards a game (1,185 yards for the season). His 11 rushing touchdowns also are a conference best. He already has three 200-yard rushing games.
Hoff wouldn't want it any other way.
"They're a traditional offense and like to run downhill, which is pretty exciting for us (defensive linemen)," Hoff said.
Why?
"There's more action for the D-Line," he said with a laugh. "It shows how tough you are. If you don't fight back, they'll get you. It's a fun game for us."
As usual, the Badgers' offensive line rates among the nation's best. These Hoosiers, unlike those of the last two decades, seem equipped to handle it.
"At the end of the day," Hoff said, "it's like playing any other offensive line. You have to know your Ps and Qs, or they'll get you. As long as you play with good pad level and technique and hands, you'll be fine."
The Badgers can hurt you with the pass behind quarterback Alex Hornibrook, who has thrown for 1,570 yards and 13 touchdowns. Quintez Cephus is a big-play receiver, averaging 17.0 yards a catch with five touchdowns.
It's a big challenge, but as Hoff said, "I'm excited. This is what we've worked for all year. We just have to keep working hard. "
RECEIVING ENCORE
Receivers Simmie Cobbs Jr., Luke Timian and Whop Philyor combined for 36 catches for 356 yards and four touchdowns against Maryland.
Duplicating those numbers against Wisconsin will be difficult. The Badgers rank fifth nationally in scoring defense, allowing 12.9 points, and fifth in total defense, allowing 268.0 yards. They lead the nation in passing efficiency defense, at 95.9, which measures opponents' completion percentage, yards per pass attempt, passing touchdowns allowed and interceptions.
"They're a good defense," Cobbs said. "They're solid. Their corners and safeties look good. The defensive line is very strong.
"We have to make plays, get the line blocked up front, and make sure the quarterback gets his reads in. Just play ball."
BIG DIFFERENCE
Wisconsin's power offense is a big contrast from Maryland's spread-you-out-speed approach.
"You have to have different personnel groups to match that style," Allen said. "This is the biggest, strongest and most physical offense we've faced. They have a heavy emphasis on running. It's completely different than what we faced at Maryland."
UNBEATEN BADGERS
How tough is IU's challenge on Saturday?
Wisconsin is one of five remaining unbeaten FBS teams. The others are No. 1 Alabama (8-0), No. 2 Georgia (8-0), No. 9 Miami (7-0) and No. 15 Central Florida (7-0). The Badgers' nine-game winning streak ties Georgia for the second-longest in the nation.
Miami leads with a 12-game streak.
Wisconsin has won a school-record 11 straight Big Ten games.
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