Indiana University Athletics
Coach Wilson's Weekly Press Conference - Nov. 20
11/20/2012 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 20, 2012
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana head football coach Kevin Wilson met with the assembled media at his weekly Tuesday afternoon press conference. The Hoosiers travel to West Lafayette to face Purdue for the Old Oaken Bucket on Saturday at noon ET.
Below is a partial transcript.
Opening statement:
"Penn State real quick. At the end of the half, we didn't get a couple of stops. Didn't manage it well offensively, the pick. We're in a close game, we kind of let it get away. Did battle back in the third quarter to kind of hang, but still didn't have enough defensive stops or offensive firepower. And offensively, just without our ability to score points. You got a stat day and you move the ball, but we need to get some points and we didn't. Lost another tough game on the road.
"Fortunate to have Purdue this week in a rival game, a big game. They are playing well. There's a lot at stake, as always, when we play each other."
On his second Bucket Game:
"Having been in the league and in the region for a long time, or places where there is always a quote rival game ... I always say that there is no such thing as a `big' game, they are all big. But we are fortunate to have a great rival that's historic, and we're playing for a trophy, and it means a lot to both sides; the fan bases, students, coaches and players. That's great and means a lot. To me, it just means a little bit more year two. A commitment to our kids and wanting to get guys like Adam (Replogle) and Will (Matte) to have a good week and end to their careers. They've made a lot of investment here. They've helped us significantly. They've earmarked our program with their commitment and work. It would be nice to send those guys out on a positive note. They've been very positive for us. To get the scoreboard right and get a W would be great for those guys. I'm a little more attached to the guys and wanting our season to end on a positive note, more than the game meaning more because you've already been in it."
On the young guys sensing urgency for the seniors:
"As young as our team is, I don't think there is a nostalgia of `this is it.' I just say out of respect for Adam and Will, and Nick Sliger and Larry Black, those guys, let's have a great week. Because those guys have been great leaders. But I don't think the rallying point of our team is `let's play well for those guys.' I think we're trying to play well for everybody. We always talk about playing well for your teammate and the guy on each side of you."
On the defense:
"Sometimes we're just not getting off blocks. Sometimes we're misaligning and not executing right. And sometimes we have to keep looking and put guys in right places. Schematically, are we doing the right things? I always say, offensively you can draw the best pass route in the world, but if you can't pass block they don't work. That being said, it's execution, it's coaching execution that puts it together. We've had a couple games where numbers aren't where we need them to be."
On where the program is at in his second year:
"I think we've made some solid progress. I think we've got some scoreboards that we needed to get on the right side that we let go this year. Whether we didn't manage it right, call it right or execute it right or make a play. We've went from not a good start year one when you look at the numbers, but laying a decent foundation, to now the foundation has taken off. We're moving. We've had a little bit more success. Have an opportunity this week to get our third Big Ten win. To get two of them on the road. To get a win in a rival game. That would be a nice finish. At the same time, our standard internally is a little higher than most people outside would think it would be. We've got a long way to go. We're not trying to be competitive. We're not trying to be close. We cautioned our team early in the year to not accept getting patted on the back for being in a close game. Our object is to win. Play winning football, play competitive football. Play football that matches this school, because this is an awesome school and it deserves to have an awesome team. At the same time, we are getting there but I don't know if you're ever really there. You're going to be pushing, pushing, pushing. I don't think any coach will ever say he is over the hump. Because once you get there and have some success, the ability to maintain it will even be harder than building."
