Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Game One vs. SIU
8/31/2015 4:25:00 PM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana football players and coaches met with the media Monday leading up to Saturday's 4 p.m. kickoff against Southern Illinois at Memorial Stadium.
Here are five stand out quotes and storylines from the media session that should give better insight of what the Hoosiers have going on as they ready to begin a new season.
Senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld: "I'm stoked. I can't wait to get back out there and put the pads on and be live. It's been kind of a longtime coming. You can simulate it as much as you want in spring ball and fall camp, but until you've actually done it, you kind of have that itch to go out there and be a part of the game in the full flow of the game, so I'm real excited about it."
Indiana has its quarterback again.
After missing the final six games of 2014 with a separated non-throwing shoulder, Sudfeld is healthy and eager to return to the playing field.
The Modesto, Ca., native threw for 1,151 yards and six touchdowns in half a season in 2014 before having his junior season cut short due to an injury sustained against Iowa. He spent the majority of his time away from football rehabbing in preparation for one last chance to lead the Hoosiers.
Despite playing in 25 of a possible 36 games, Sudfeld still doesn't have a full season under his belt as Indiana's starter. His experienced arm and leadership both on and off the field are a welcome re-addition to the program.
Redshirt junior receiver Ricky Jones: "We haven't really talked much about the past. We try to live in the present right now. I had no idea about the '06 game. We treat every game like it's special. We don't take any opponent lightly. We're going to go out here and play the best we can and definitely take SIU seriously."
It's hard to blame Jones for being unaware of the last time Indiana and Southern Illinois played. After all, he was only in middle school.
Jones and his teammates made it clear Monday that the Hoosiers can't afford to overlook a Salukis team that went 6-6 last season. Head coach Dale Lennon's team returns fifth-year senior quarterback Mark Iannotti and a number of other weapons.
Recent history shows Indiana doesn't lose often on opening weekend, however. The Hoosiers have welcomed a new season with wins in 10 of the last 11 years.
Head coach Kevin Wilson: "I think there's a lot more trust (on the defense). I think our coaches now are teaching technique more than scheme. I think in the first year you're thinking, it's kind of about scheme. It was that way offensively for us the first year. It was all scheme, scheme, scheme. And the second year you could really work on developing some fundamentals."
Indiana's defense will be looking to build on the foundation it laid last season in the first year of defensive coordinator Brian Knorr's tenure.
The Hoosiers are expecting to be more flexible defensively. They'll have more options and be able to mix defenses up now that the veteran players are adjusted to Knorr's 3-4 scheme.
As Indiana continues to get comfortable with Knorr and what he's trying to do, Wilson said the defense should continue to get stronger and stronger as the season goes on.
Offensive coordinator Kevin Johns: "I don't know that we're going to throw it every single down or if we're going to run it every single down. Coach Wilson has taught me that you have to have tremendous balance, and you have to be able to exploit what the defense is giving you. A year ago in our opener we ran for 400 yards. Well, they were giving us some runs, so we ran it. That didn't mean there was anything wrong with our passing game and vice versa. If we have to throw it every down Saturday, we will, if that's what it takes to win the game."
What will Indiana's offense look like against Southern Illinois? Not even Johns knows.
The last two seasons have been defined by two different offensive attacks.
In 2013, the Hoosiers had one of the most prolific passing attacks in the country and a strong running game to compliment it. Last year, Indiana's run game carried the offense while the passing game became a complimentary piece.
Johns and Wilson both stressed the importance of balance all throughout camp. What Indiana inevitably decides to do could very well be dictated by what Southern Illinois decides to take away.
Defensive coordinator Brian Knorr: "The first game of the season, you've got to be prepared for anything."
Indiana could train nonstop all day and watch film all night and still be surprised on gameday. There's only so much coordinators like Knorr can do to prepare.
A new season brings uncertainty and unpredictability. Saturday will be the first real opportunity for the Hoosiers to see what gains they've made in the offseason.
Knorr admitted he's not too sure what to expect, and his fellow coaches would agree. They, like everyone else at Memorial Stadium, will need to wait to find out.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana football players and coaches met with the media Monday leading up to Saturday's 4 p.m. kickoff against Southern Illinois at Memorial Stadium.
Here are five stand out quotes and storylines from the media session that should give better insight of what the Hoosiers have going on as they ready to begin a new season.
Senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld: "I'm stoked. I can't wait to get back out there and put the pads on and be live. It's been kind of a longtime coming. You can simulate it as much as you want in spring ball and fall camp, but until you've actually done it, you kind of have that itch to go out there and be a part of the game in the full flow of the game, so I'm real excited about it."
Indiana has its quarterback again.
After missing the final six games of 2014 with a separated non-throwing shoulder, Sudfeld is healthy and eager to return to the playing field.
The Modesto, Ca., native threw for 1,151 yards and six touchdowns in half a season in 2014 before having his junior season cut short due to an injury sustained against Iowa. He spent the majority of his time away from football rehabbing in preparation for one last chance to lead the Hoosiers.
Despite playing in 25 of a possible 36 games, Sudfeld still doesn't have a full season under his belt as Indiana's starter. His experienced arm and leadership both on and off the field are a welcome re-addition to the program.
Redshirt junior receiver Ricky Jones: "We haven't really talked much about the past. We try to live in the present right now. I had no idea about the '06 game. We treat every game like it's special. We don't take any opponent lightly. We're going to go out here and play the best we can and definitely take SIU seriously."
It's hard to blame Jones for being unaware of the last time Indiana and Southern Illinois played. After all, he was only in middle school.
Jones and his teammates made it clear Monday that the Hoosiers can't afford to overlook a Salukis team that went 6-6 last season. Head coach Dale Lennon's team returns fifth-year senior quarterback Mark Iannotti and a number of other weapons.
Recent history shows Indiana doesn't lose often on opening weekend, however. The Hoosiers have welcomed a new season with wins in 10 of the last 11 years.
Head coach Kevin Wilson: "I think there's a lot more trust (on the defense). I think our coaches now are teaching technique more than scheme. I think in the first year you're thinking, it's kind of about scheme. It was that way offensively for us the first year. It was all scheme, scheme, scheme. And the second year you could really work on developing some fundamentals."
Indiana's defense will be looking to build on the foundation it laid last season in the first year of defensive coordinator Brian Knorr's tenure.
The Hoosiers are expecting to be more flexible defensively. They'll have more options and be able to mix defenses up now that the veteran players are adjusted to Knorr's 3-4 scheme.
As Indiana continues to get comfortable with Knorr and what he's trying to do, Wilson said the defense should continue to get stronger and stronger as the season goes on.
Offensive coordinator Kevin Johns: "I don't know that we're going to throw it every single down or if we're going to run it every single down. Coach Wilson has taught me that you have to have tremendous balance, and you have to be able to exploit what the defense is giving you. A year ago in our opener we ran for 400 yards. Well, they were giving us some runs, so we ran it. That didn't mean there was anything wrong with our passing game and vice versa. If we have to throw it every down Saturday, we will, if that's what it takes to win the game."
What will Indiana's offense look like against Southern Illinois? Not even Johns knows.
The last two seasons have been defined by two different offensive attacks.
In 2013, the Hoosiers had one of the most prolific passing attacks in the country and a strong running game to compliment it. Last year, Indiana's run game carried the offense while the passing game became a complimentary piece.
Johns and Wilson both stressed the importance of balance all throughout camp. What Indiana inevitably decides to do could very well be dictated by what Southern Illinois decides to take away.
Defensive coordinator Brian Knorr: "The first game of the season, you've got to be prepared for anything."
Indiana could train nonstop all day and watch film all night and still be surprised on gameday. There's only so much coordinators like Knorr can do to prepare.
A new season brings uncertainty and unpredictability. Saturday will be the first real opportunity for the Hoosiers to see what gains they've made in the offseason.
Knorr admitted he's not too sure what to expect, and his fellow coaches would agree. They, like everyone else at Memorial Stadium, will need to wait to find out.
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