Indiana University Athletics
Wilson Notebook: Bowl Prep, New Guys and Tight Ends
12/17/2015 5:12:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Bowl preparation is an inexact science at best.
There's going to be mistakes by nature of the layoff between Indiana's final regular-season win vs. Purdue at the end of last month and December 26th's Pinstripe Bowl against Duke. Practicing in an unfamiliar place—especially one like New York during the holidays—means Indiana's coaching staff has needed to get clever with its practice routine leading into game week as the Hoosiers try to stay on schedule.
"When we get up there, it will be close to normal but not a true normal," head coach Kevin Wilson said.
IU got a head start on its normal game week in practice this week to try to combat the challenges of traveling for the postseason. The team started studying the Blue Devils earlier than they normally would and will get a pair of hard-nosed practices in this weekend before leaving for New York on Monday.
In an effort to knock any existing rust off, Wilson spent time this week doing game simulations as best he could. The Hoosiers spent time working with clock management, the kicking game and various other situational drills to stay sharp.
"You always see in the playoffs, it's almost like you're back to game one," Wilson said. "We'll try to get a lot of work done and then polish it next week."
On the whole, Wilson said he's been pleased with the progress Indiana has made as they transition back into game week. He joked, however, that the result of the game will dictate how well people say it went.
"For a couple years, we've been a pretty solid practice team," Wilson said. "I've been impressed with the way these kids are approaching practice. I think they like our scheduling, the way we've done it. We put a lot of thought into how we wanted to practice and we've communicated to the team. We've gotten their feedback, so we're kind of getting what we need collectively working together."
Mid-Year Additions Arrive This Weekend
Indiana will welcome quarterback Richard Lagow and defensive back Jayme Thompson to practice this weekend to get a taste for the team they'll be playing on next year. Both junior college transfers are expected to work with the coaching staff for about two days before the team leaves for New York.
Wilson said he'll make the most out of his limited time with his two newest players while he still can. After Indiana's bowl game, the coaching staff is limited in what they can do with their players until spring practice.
"I always tell junior college kids they come in at halftime," Wilson said. "It's basically like a half-game suspension and you want to max that out."
The coaches will work with both Lagow and Thomas as much as they can. The staff has seen both of the players on tape, but this weekend will make the first time they're able to work hands-on with either new addition.
Wilson hopes the coaches use the time to give the players things to work on individually before letting them work on their own until the spring. It's just enough of a head start that should help both fight for playing time immediately, Wilson said.
"I think as much as anything, it will help them in January," Wilson said. "It has a chance to be pretty beneficial."
Wilson Shows Love For His Tight Ends
Indiana has gotten the most out of its platoon of tight ends this season.
Led by Big Ten honorable mention Michael Cooper, the Hoosiers have rotated as many as five guys in and out, each doing nothing overly spectacular but combing with the others to solidify the position.
Wilson joked that he used to call the tight end spot "tight tackle" because he appreciates the way his teams use the tight end spot as an extra lineman. He said the tight ends deserve just as much credit as the linemen for helping IU's running backs and passing game have as much success as they've had the last two years.
"I said (to coach James Patton), if she (your mother) wants to see you catch the ball, we're warming up at one o'clock," Wilson joked. "At two o'clock, we're going to play ball and she can watch you block."
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Indiana (6-6) will face Duke (7-5) in the 2015 New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 26. The game will be held at Yankee Stadium with a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ABC. Student tickets for the Pinstripe Bowl are just $10 and can be purchased by clicking here. Tickets for the general public can be purchased by clicking here.
There's going to be mistakes by nature of the layoff between Indiana's final regular-season win vs. Purdue at the end of last month and December 26th's Pinstripe Bowl against Duke. Practicing in an unfamiliar place—especially one like New York during the holidays—means Indiana's coaching staff has needed to get clever with its practice routine leading into game week as the Hoosiers try to stay on schedule.
"When we get up there, it will be close to normal but not a true normal," head coach Kevin Wilson said.
IU got a head start on its normal game week in practice this week to try to combat the challenges of traveling for the postseason. The team started studying the Blue Devils earlier than they normally would and will get a pair of hard-nosed practices in this weekend before leaving for New York on Monday.
In an effort to knock any existing rust off, Wilson spent time this week doing game simulations as best he could. The Hoosiers spent time working with clock management, the kicking game and various other situational drills to stay sharp.
"You always see in the playoffs, it's almost like you're back to game one," Wilson said. "We'll try to get a lot of work done and then polish it next week."
On the whole, Wilson said he's been pleased with the progress Indiana has made as they transition back into game week. He joked, however, that the result of the game will dictate how well people say it went.
"For a couple years, we've been a pretty solid practice team," Wilson said. "I've been impressed with the way these kids are approaching practice. I think they like our scheduling, the way we've done it. We put a lot of thought into how we wanted to practice and we've communicated to the team. We've gotten their feedback, so we're kind of getting what we need collectively working together."
Mid-Year Additions Arrive This Weekend
Indiana will welcome quarterback Richard Lagow and defensive back Jayme Thompson to practice this weekend to get a taste for the team they'll be playing on next year. Both junior college transfers are expected to work with the coaching staff for about two days before the team leaves for New York.
Wilson said he'll make the most out of his limited time with his two newest players while he still can. After Indiana's bowl game, the coaching staff is limited in what they can do with their players until spring practice.
"I always tell junior college kids they come in at halftime," Wilson said. "It's basically like a half-game suspension and you want to max that out."
The coaches will work with both Lagow and Thomas as much as they can. The staff has seen both of the players on tape, but this weekend will make the first time they're able to work hands-on with either new addition.
Wilson hopes the coaches use the time to give the players things to work on individually before letting them work on their own until the spring. It's just enough of a head start that should help both fight for playing time immediately, Wilson said.
"I think as much as anything, it will help them in January," Wilson said. "It has a chance to be pretty beneficial."
Wilson Shows Love For His Tight Ends
Indiana has gotten the most out of its platoon of tight ends this season.
Led by Big Ten honorable mention Michael Cooper, the Hoosiers have rotated as many as five guys in and out, each doing nothing overly spectacular but combing with the others to solidify the position.
Wilson joked that he used to call the tight end spot "tight tackle" because he appreciates the way his teams use the tight end spot as an extra lineman. He said the tight ends deserve just as much credit as the linemen for helping IU's running backs and passing game have as much success as they've had the last two years.
"I said (to coach James Patton), if she (your mother) wants to see you catch the ball, we're warming up at one o'clock," Wilson joked. "At two o'clock, we're going to play ball and she can watch you block."
#####
Indiana (6-6) will face Duke (7-5) in the 2015 New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 26. The game will be held at Yankee Stadium with a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ABC. Student tickets for the Pinstripe Bowl are just $10 and can be purchased by clicking here. Tickets for the general public can be purchased by clicking here.
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