Indiana University Athletics
#IUFB Notebook: Offense Seeing Red
8/7/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 7, 2014
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - One thing has remained constant since Indiana's first preseason practice on Monday: The defense has worn red jerseys. In other words, they've "won" each practice the day before.
Based on a point system that grades each practice, IU head coach Kevin Wilson says the defense has practiced better through four workouts this fall.
"Across the board, they've had a good vibe about them," Wilson said. "It's a long way off. We're far from being what you want, but you see them going in the right direction. So many guys are back. A lot of these young kids are on time and in the mix to help out."
Junior quarterback Nate Sudfeld, who helped lead an offense that scored 38.4 points a game last year, acknowledged the defense has put his unit on its heels early in August.
"Very competitive," Sudfeld said of practice. "The defense is definitely making it hard for our offense so we have to bring our A-game every day. We still have a lot of work to do but I'm excited about where we're going."
Having young players that are spoken of as not only talented, but mature, has helped the defense progress.
"We're pretty pleased at this point and time," co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach William Inge said. "When you're working with young players but players that are a little mature, the expectation is that they're going to be able to move along pretty good. We're allowing them and really putting a lot of stress and pressure on them to control some of the factors like hustle, effort and making plays on the ball. We've been pretty pleased."
Overall, Wilson is looking for consistency, but not necessarily in who gets to wear red every day.
"We've made what looks to be a lot of progress, but I think the key is going to be how consistent we can be," Wilson said. "Last year, we actually had some very strong defensive performances and some very poor offensive performances. We haven't been very consistent. We want to start that with practice. We're looking for some consistency and we're looking for some competitiveness."
IMPRESSIVE FRESHMEN
Although it's too early to tell which freshmen could earn playing time for the Hoosiers this year, Wilson has been reassured time and time again of the quality of people that make up his newest signing class.
"We had a youth function where they were working with a group of kids," Wilson said. "I had a couple of alumni say 'I've never been prouder to be a Hoosier after leaving that event.' The way the kids interacted, the first week of class and the teacher emails, I've never seen a group so engaged in reading materials and really wanting to learn. We make a couple promises here. One is we have to get an education, but we want good kids. I think we really recruited some good kids."
Wilson estimated he would have a much better idea of who might be in the mix for playing time closer to next weekend -- after a week in full pads.
"We haven't done a lot of hitting," Wilson said. "Some of those guys look really good in the run around, but now all of a sudden when it comes time to hit you don't see them as confident physically. Some guys are more comfortable in the physical aspect of the game than others."
The Hoosiers will put on full pads for the first time Friday.
FLYING HOOSIERS
Many Hoosiers on the defensive side have used the term "flying around" when assessing their early performance in fall camp. Sophomore safety Antonio Allen couldn't help but smile when asked about it.
"If we don't fly around, you'll see us on this line after practice running," Allen said.
The Indianapolis native posted 35 tackles in seven games as a freshman before suffering a season-ending ACL injury against Michigan. Despite the setback, Allen has felt much sharper heading into his second season.
"Last year coming in as a freshman, I was a lot slower with my things," Allen said. "I didn't know what was going on I was just out there. This year, I'm reading my keys now. I can move faster and bet here to make plays."
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"The offense needs to pick it up. Just because you had a year or two of good offense doesn't mean you're going to be good again. Just because you haven't been good doesn't mean you can't be better. History only repeats itself if you refuse to learn from it."
-Head coach Kevin Wilson on progress through four practices
Click here for complete coverage in Fall Camp Central.
 Photos |  Coach Wilson | Coach Inge | S Antonio Allen | QB Nate Sudfeld |
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - One thing has remained constant since Indiana's first preseason practice on Monday: The defense has worn red jerseys. In other words, they've "won" each practice the day before.
Based on a point system that grades each practice, IU head coach Kevin Wilson says the defense has practiced better through four workouts this fall.
"Across the board, they've had a good vibe about them," Wilson said. "It's a long way off. We're far from being what you want, but you see them going in the right direction. So many guys are back. A lot of these young kids are on time and in the mix to help out."
Junior quarterback Nate Sudfeld, who helped lead an offense that scored 38.4 points a game last year, acknowledged the defense has put his unit on its heels early in August.
"Very competitive," Sudfeld said of practice. "The defense is definitely making it hard for our offense so we have to bring our A-game every day. We still have a lot of work to do but I'm excited about where we're going."
Having young players that are spoken of as not only talented, but mature, has helped the defense progress.
"We're pretty pleased at this point and time," co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach William Inge said. "When you're working with young players but players that are a little mature, the expectation is that they're going to be able to move along pretty good. We're allowing them and really putting a lot of stress and pressure on them to control some of the factors like hustle, effort and making plays on the ball. We've been pretty pleased."
Overall, Wilson is looking for consistency, but not necessarily in who gets to wear red every day.
"We've made what looks to be a lot of progress, but I think the key is going to be how consistent we can be," Wilson said. "Last year, we actually had some very strong defensive performances and some very poor offensive performances. We haven't been very consistent. We want to start that with practice. We're looking for some consistency and we're looking for some competitiveness."
IMPRESSIVE FRESHMEN
Although it's too early to tell which freshmen could earn playing time for the Hoosiers this year, Wilson has been reassured time and time again of the quality of people that make up his newest signing class.
"We had a youth function where they were working with a group of kids," Wilson said. "I had a couple of alumni say 'I've never been prouder to be a Hoosier after leaving that event.' The way the kids interacted, the first week of class and the teacher emails, I've never seen a group so engaged in reading materials and really wanting to learn. We make a couple promises here. One is we have to get an education, but we want good kids. I think we really recruited some good kids."
Wilson estimated he would have a much better idea of who might be in the mix for playing time closer to next weekend -- after a week in full pads.
"We haven't done a lot of hitting," Wilson said. "Some of those guys look really good in the run around, but now all of a sudden when it comes time to hit you don't see them as confident physically. Some guys are more comfortable in the physical aspect of the game than others."
The Hoosiers will put on full pads for the first time Friday.
FLYING HOOSIERS
Many Hoosiers on the defensive side have used the term "flying around" when assessing their early performance in fall camp. Sophomore safety Antonio Allen couldn't help but smile when asked about it.
"If we don't fly around, you'll see us on this line after practice running," Allen said.
The Indianapolis native posted 35 tackles in seven games as a freshman before suffering a season-ending ACL injury against Michigan. Despite the setback, Allen has felt much sharper heading into his second season.
"Last year coming in as a freshman, I was a lot slower with my things," Allen said. "I didn't know what was going on I was just out there. This year, I'm reading my keys now. I can move faster and bet here to make plays."
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"The offense needs to pick it up. Just because you had a year or two of good offense doesn't mean you're going to be good again. Just because you haven't been good doesn't mean you can't be better. History only repeats itself if you refuse to learn from it."
-Head coach Kevin Wilson on progress through four practices
Click here for complete coverage in Fall Camp Central.
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