Indiana University Athletics
Referees on Hand as Hoosiers Tune Up
8/18/2015 6:03:00 PM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson brought in extra sets of eyes to practice Tuesday.
The Hoosiers practiced with Big Ten officials on hand for the first time in fall camp. The referees were on hand to make calls as they would in games to give the Hoosiers a better feel of what they can and can't get away with without penalty.
"It's great having those guys in here," senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld said. "Those pass interference calls have been fun for me. But just getting lined up and getting able to go fast again because you can kind of go up-tempo with these guys is good for us."
Likewise, sophomore linebacker Tegray Scales said he enjoyed having the referees on the practice field.
They were able to answer any questions the Hoosiers might have in regards to what is and isn't a penalty. He said knowing what types of things the referees are keying into is useful, especially as a defender where he's limited in pass coverage and tackling.
Scales also said it's a reminder of just how close the season is. The Hoosiers open the year two weeks from Saturday.
"I think it was very beneficial (to have the referees)," Scales said. "It just puts us in that game format so we can see where we are as a defense when we're out there."
The Hoosiers ended practice with a little over half an hour worth of scrimmaging in full pads.
Both Sudfeld and Scales were pleased with the way their respective units looked. Tuesday's practice was the closest thing to actual playing that the Hoosiers have had other than their first scrimmage on Saturday.
Defensively, Scales said the Hoosiers still have some cleaning up to do, but he left the field feeling comfortable with where Indiana is with two weeks left to sharpen things up.
"We've got some small things to work on still, but we're still two weeks out until game time, so we'll get it covered," Scales said. "We're knocking on the door. That's what coach said today. We're knocking on the door."
Sudfeld said he liked the balance the offense had, but added that things are never perfect.
Overall, he'd feel comfortable playing a game this Saturday, but like Scales, Sudfeld is happy the Hoosiers still have time on their hands to work on the offense a bit more.
"We're pretty close, I think," Sudfeld said. "There's still quite a bit of work, but I'm glad we still have time to be working on some things. If we were playing this week, I'd feel really good about it."
