Indiana University Athletics
April 10 Practice Report
4/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Bloomington, Ind. - Following their second controlled scrimmage of the spring, the Indiana Hoosiers had a productive workout on Sunday, April 10. Coach Terry Hoeppner's club went through a 90-minute session in helmets and shorts, focusing on two minute and late game offensive situations.
The Hoosiers will practice on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons to prepare for Friday's Cream-Crimson intrasquad game at 7 p.m. at Memorial Stadium. The game annually closes Indiana's spring football season and this year will feature celebrity coaches Indiana University President Adam W. Herbert and IU Alumni Association President Ken Beckley. Admission is free.
After practice, Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator Bill Lynch and Co-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach Joe Palcic discussed IU's objectives heading into the final three practices of the spring.
Bill Lynch
How would you gauge the offense's progress in the first 12 practices?
"I think having been through two scrimmages and 12 practices that we've worked on the running game. It showed especially in Saturday's scrimmage that we're ahead in the running game compared to the passing game. That is due to the emphasis on our part. You know what you can hang your hat on with the running game coming out of the spring. Kids can work on the passing game all summer, but you can only work on the running game when everyone is together."
What is the offense's main objective heading into the last week of spring practice?
"We have to work on the drop back passing game. That includes all phases - protection, route running, decision making, and execution. Coming out of yesterday's scrimmage, we saw some good things and some things we need to work on. We had some turnovers and sacks that we can't have. Spring practice is a week-by-week thing. I thought we improved from the first scrimmage to the second, and we have to have the same improvement this week, which will be hard because we don't have as many practices."
Discuss the transition that guys like Courtney Clency, Brian Faires and Ryan Skelton have had going from defense to offense.
"It has been tough for Courtney because he has been out with an injury for most of the spring. Faires was a good move. He is playing a dual role - part tight end and part F-Back, which is part fullback and part wing. Skelton was a really good move. He missed a week because he was sick, and that always sets you back when you switch positions. But that is going to be a real positive move that will help us."
Joe Palcic
How would you gauge the defense's progress in the first 12 practices?
"In the past week, we have seen a difference in the defense as a whole. They really understand what they're supposed to be doing, and we're excited about that. This week, we're going to add a few things, some third down stuff, some different details to blitz packages. The big thing is that for the most part, the defense has stayed healthy, and we need to maintain that going into the (April 15) spring game."
Talk about John Pannozzo's move from fullback to middle linebacker.
"That has been the best part of the spring. He has really come along. The first week, we could see that he was a good, tough player, but not having played defense in a while, he had to adjust to things like reads, guards pulling. After watching the tape of yesterday's scrimmage, he is seeing everything and making plays like he has been at linebacker all spring."
