Indiana University Athletics
Wilson Calls for More Energy Against Rutgers
10/15/2015 5:09:00 PM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - There's a certain way Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson likes his Hoosiers to play.
He wants them to play with energy. He wants them to fight. There's a certain sense of aggressiveness and attitude he asks out of his guys.
Call it "swagger." Call it "aggressive." Whatever it is, Wilson wants to see it Saturday at 3:30 p.m. when Indiana (4-2, 0-2) plays Rutgers (2-3, 0-2) at Memorial Stadium. It wasn't necessarily there last week against Penn State, but that doesn't mean it can't come back.
"We're just trying to get back to some genuine energy in our preparation so we can come out and play with the energy we need to against a great Rutgers team and get a W," Wilson said. "Get a Homecoming W this week and try to get this team to five (wins)."
Wilson puts value in the stock of playing with energy. That's why he stresses creating energy internally on the road and often talks about the value of playing in front of a large home crowd like he expects to see this weekend.
When teams are energized, Wilson said, they play better. They get that swagger and confidence level rising and playmaking becomes more natural.
Wilson's theory is that it's part of being human. Players that play confidently and believe in themselves are more likely to make plays.
"We need to find some energy," Wilson said. "Can we find it early? If we don't, the game still plays. If you've got it early, you can lose it. If you don't have it, you can get back. We just need to keep playing the whole game and get back to flying around like we did in the first four contests."
Part of creating that energy is taking it away from an opponent.
Defensively, Indiana will want to keep Rutgers off the field as often as possible, which is no easy task considering the Scarlet Knights are let by the conference's most efficient quarterback.
"We've played some solid defense this season and I believe we will this week," Wilson said. "We need to limit the big play, but we also need to find a way to play where we don't let them have long drives and take the energy away from our football team."
Offensively, the Hoosiers will want to sustain long scoring drives. One of the problems the team has faced in recent weeks is the offense slowing after it crosses the 50-yard line. Offensive players consider those drives wasted opportunities.
"We've got to get that back on track a little bit," Wilson said.
This weekend offers a chance for Indiana to get back on track before traveling to Michigan State and then having a bye week.
Wilson isn't trying to overhaul anything. He's seen his team at its best this season. He does, however, see a need to sharpen things up on both sides of the ball to compete in the Big Ten.
"We've got to clean some things up a little bit," Wilson said. "Our team needs to play better. I know they will and respond right away."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - There's a certain way Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson likes his Hoosiers to play.
He wants them to play with energy. He wants them to fight. There's a certain sense of aggressiveness and attitude he asks out of his guys.
Call it "swagger." Call it "aggressive." Whatever it is, Wilson wants to see it Saturday at 3:30 p.m. when Indiana (4-2, 0-2) plays Rutgers (2-3, 0-2) at Memorial Stadium. It wasn't necessarily there last week against Penn State, but that doesn't mean it can't come back.
"We're just trying to get back to some genuine energy in our preparation so we can come out and play with the energy we need to against a great Rutgers team and get a W," Wilson said. "Get a Homecoming W this week and try to get this team to five (wins)."
Wilson puts value in the stock of playing with energy. That's why he stresses creating energy internally on the road and often talks about the value of playing in front of a large home crowd like he expects to see this weekend.
When teams are energized, Wilson said, they play better. They get that swagger and confidence level rising and playmaking becomes more natural.
Wilson's theory is that it's part of being human. Players that play confidently and believe in themselves are more likely to make plays.
"We need to find some energy," Wilson said. "Can we find it early? If we don't, the game still plays. If you've got it early, you can lose it. If you don't have it, you can get back. We just need to keep playing the whole game and get back to flying around like we did in the first four contests."
Part of creating that energy is taking it away from an opponent.
Defensively, Indiana will want to keep Rutgers off the field as often as possible, which is no easy task considering the Scarlet Knights are let by the conference's most efficient quarterback.
"We've played some solid defense this season and I believe we will this week," Wilson said. "We need to limit the big play, but we also need to find a way to play where we don't let them have long drives and take the energy away from our football team."
Offensively, the Hoosiers will want to sustain long scoring drives. One of the problems the team has faced in recent weeks is the offense slowing after it crosses the 50-yard line. Offensive players consider those drives wasted opportunities.
"We've got to get that back on track a little bit," Wilson said.
This weekend offers a chance for Indiana to get back on track before traveling to Michigan State and then having a bye week.
Wilson isn't trying to overhaul anything. He's seen his team at its best this season. He does, however, see a need to sharpen things up on both sides of the ball to compete in the Big Ten.
"We've got to clean some things up a little bit," Wilson said. "Our team needs to play better. I know they will and respond right away."
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