Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Pinstripe Bowl vs. Duke
12/24/2015 9:13:00 PM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
NEW YORK - Indiana and Duke players and coaches met with the media Thursday at Yankee Stadium in advance for Saturday's New Era Pinstripe Bowl. The game will kickoff at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.
As we've done each game week, IUHoosiers.com was there to speak with the players and coaches from both teams. We've pulled out four quotes and storylines to follow heading into the game. With a shortened week, expect even more content on Friday than usual.
Redshirt sophomore linebacker Marcus Oliver on preparation: "I think we're really prepared. Leaving Indiana, we were pretty well off and I just think the last week or the last few days we've had here, it's been like playing with things and really finding what really works well and what works the best. So far, it's been really good."
Bowl preparation has gone without much in terms of setbacks for Indiana. The Hoosiers arrived in New York fairly ready to hit the field before a light practice Monday, day off Tuesday and then back-to-back days of practice before Friday's walkthrough.
Oliver was one of a few players saying they know Duke about as well as they possibly could from watching film. He's even watched the Blue Devils' matchup against North Carolina six or seven times and is only refreshing his memory at this point.
Defensive coordinator Brian Knorr on playing and practicing in New York: "The Yankees have done such a great job. I feel like I'm back at Memorial Stadium back at the office. We've got big printers. We've got copy machines. We've got all of our video equipment. It's been a great experience for our guys."
The Hilton Hotel that Indiana is staying at has turned into a war room of sorts, with a portion of the second floor dedicated to the team's film study. It's made living away from home a bit easier, Knorr said, because it isn't all that different from Memorial Stadium.
It's certainly the easiest transition away from Bloomington. The hotel-based practices have been just one of the nuances the Hoosiers have had to adjust to during the week.
Offensive coordinator Kevin Johns on finishing with a winning record: "I think (a win) would be huge momentum going into the offseason. Obviously it would help recruiting a lot. It would help just that positive momentum that we've been making in that building. We're going to have a lot of guys returning to next year's team, so we'd like to springboard this game, hopefully this win, into next season."
Saturday's game could have long-term implications on future bowl games. The Hoosiers would finish with a winning record and have a bowl win to celebrate for a few weeks before starting over again and preparing for 2016.
That's invaluable, Johns said, because it promotes growth. Finishing with a winning record could rejuvenate the locker room before heading into an offseason of lifting and getting stronger before spring practice.
A New Era Pinstripe Bowl win could be just what Indiana needs to spark more down the road.
Senior defensive end Nick Mangieri on beating Duke: "There's a lot of what-ifs in the season. Obviously there was that six-game skid, but winning this one would make it all worth it."
Indiana's season was full of both good and bad. Not everything went according to plan and nobody expected it to.
But winning Saturday's game might be all Indiana needs to celebrate one of the best seasons in recent program history. It certainly has the players' attention with the game less than 48 hours away.
IUHoosiers.com
NEW YORK - Indiana and Duke players and coaches met with the media Thursday at Yankee Stadium in advance for Saturday's New Era Pinstripe Bowl. The game will kickoff at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.
As we've done each game week, IUHoosiers.com was there to speak with the players and coaches from both teams. We've pulled out four quotes and storylines to follow heading into the game. With a shortened week, expect even more content on Friday than usual.
Redshirt sophomore linebacker Marcus Oliver on preparation: "I think we're really prepared. Leaving Indiana, we were pretty well off and I just think the last week or the last few days we've had here, it's been like playing with things and really finding what really works well and what works the best. So far, it's been really good."
Bowl preparation has gone without much in terms of setbacks for Indiana. The Hoosiers arrived in New York fairly ready to hit the field before a light practice Monday, day off Tuesday and then back-to-back days of practice before Friday's walkthrough.
Oliver was one of a few players saying they know Duke about as well as they possibly could from watching film. He's even watched the Blue Devils' matchup against North Carolina six or seven times and is only refreshing his memory at this point.
Defensive coordinator Brian Knorr on playing and practicing in New York: "The Yankees have done such a great job. I feel like I'm back at Memorial Stadium back at the office. We've got big printers. We've got copy machines. We've got all of our video equipment. It's been a great experience for our guys."
The Hilton Hotel that Indiana is staying at has turned into a war room of sorts, with a portion of the second floor dedicated to the team's film study. It's made living away from home a bit easier, Knorr said, because it isn't all that different from Memorial Stadium.
It's certainly the easiest transition away from Bloomington. The hotel-based practices have been just one of the nuances the Hoosiers have had to adjust to during the week.
Offensive coordinator Kevin Johns on finishing with a winning record: "I think (a win) would be huge momentum going into the offseason. Obviously it would help recruiting a lot. It would help just that positive momentum that we've been making in that building. We're going to have a lot of guys returning to next year's team, so we'd like to springboard this game, hopefully this win, into next season."
Saturday's game could have long-term implications on future bowl games. The Hoosiers would finish with a winning record and have a bowl win to celebrate for a few weeks before starting over again and preparing for 2016.
That's invaluable, Johns said, because it promotes growth. Finishing with a winning record could rejuvenate the locker room before heading into an offseason of lifting and getting stronger before spring practice.
A New Era Pinstripe Bowl win could be just what Indiana needs to spark more down the road.
Senior defensive end Nick Mangieri on beating Duke: "There's a lot of what-ifs in the season. Obviously there was that six-game skid, but winning this one would make it all worth it."
Indiana's season was full of both good and bad. Not everything went according to plan and nobody expected it to.
But winning Saturday's game might be all Indiana needs to celebrate one of the best seasons in recent program history. It certainly has the players' attention with the game less than 48 hours away.
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