Indiana University Athletics
Spring Practice Report: Senior Defenders
4/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
 Coach Wilson | Mangieri | Shaw |  Photo Gallery
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana football team held its fifth spring practice of 2015 on Thursday morning at the IU Practice Fields. This practice was the third full-padded practice of the spring season. Head coach Kevin Wilson believes that the players physicality is where it needs to be, but now they must improve their mental fortitude.
"We're trying to emphasize consistency," Wilson said. "Seeing mistakes, listening to coaching, and applying it to the field. We're really working hard to see if our guys can take steps in their preparation now, not waiting until next week."
Since the Hoosiers were in full pads for this practice, Wilson and the coaching staff put the players in a handful of in-game scenarios. The players ran 75 snaps at full-go, according to Wilson, and had their first set of snaps with a running play clock, simulated crowd noise and other conditions of a live-action game.
"There were some good elements," Wilson said regarding the partial scrimmage. "I think we need to play better defensively and tackle better, but there's a good vibe to the team and they're working hard."
The defensive struggles, according to Wilson, are mainly due to the relative lack of experience on the younger defensive side of the ball.
"I think our defense is good," Wilson said. "But your veterans are Chase Dutra, Antonio Allen and Darius Latham, and it's their second spring."
"You want these guys that are your best players to act like veterans. Even though they have game experience, they're still young. I think the offense has a greater presence and consistency because they're more mature mentally."
Watch coach Wilson's full interview with the media here:
PLAYER PROFILES: SENIOR DEFENDERS
IU senior Nick Mangieri started all 12 games at the bandit position last season, recording 37 tackles, two sacks and an interception. This year, he moves to the trenches in hopes of adding speed and experience to the Hoosiers defensive line. Mangieri is willing to make the switch because he is more comfortable with Coach Brian Knorr's defensive scheme this season.
"It's been different," Mangieri said regarding his new position. "I played in the 4-3 defense my first two years, and now we're in the 3-4, which is more lateral. Nonetheless, having my hand in the dirt again is pretty fun."
Mangieri isn't the only one finding familiarity in the defense with Knorr in his second season with the Hoosiers. According to the senior lineman, the unit as a whole has taken strides since last spring.
"It's exciting to see," Mangieri said. "In year two with this defense, everybody is getting more comfortable with their roles."
Watch the full interview with Mangieri after IU's fifth practice here:
Senior linebacker Zack Shaw has appeared in all 36 games in his three years with the Hoosiers, and is coming off of a season where he recorded 24 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery. Shaw enters his fourth year of spring football, and this year's spring practices stand out to him.
"Everybody's coming out and flying around. Their heads have been in it this week," Shaw said.
Shaw has held a positive feeling about this team since the offseason, starting with his own improvements.
"I feel like I've gotten a lot stronger in the offseason," Shaw said. "Everyone came in the weight room, hyped and ready to go. I feel like everybody got better with weights and a lot faster."
Shaw said the main goal for the defensive unit this season is to prevent the opposing offense from getting easy yards.
"We've got to stop the run," Shaw said. "Also, to get them in third-and-long situations where we can get after the passer and get off the field quicker."
Watch the full interview with Shaw here:
CREAM & CRIMSON SPRING GAME IN 15 DAYS
The Hoosiers kick off the 2015 Cream & Crimson Spring Game at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 18. They will also host a Little 500 pre-bash evening open scrimmage on Thursday, April 23.
