Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Indiana vs. Northwestern
10/17/2016 8:27:00 PM | Football
By: Charlie Duffy
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana football players and coaches met with the media Monday for the Hoosiers' weekly press conference leading into Saturday's noon kickoff against at Northwestern.
Each week we will compile five quotes and storylines recapping the previous game and previewing the upcoming one.
Head coach Kevin Wilson: "In their last four games they got three victories and a close loss to a really good team. So they've weathered their storm offensively. And they played really well the last two weeks, especially the last two road games, really well on the road at Iowa and Michigan State. Good victories."
Northwestern started slow out of the gates, dropping games to Western Michigan and Illinois State. Since then, they have won three of their four, including the aforementioned road victories. The Wildcats lone loss in that stretch came against Nebraska, 24-13.
Defensive coordinator Tom Allen: "I believe, for our system, that position requires a young man that can finish. I have challenged him with some former players that have played in this system, at that spot and been productive. Obviously, it is on him to make those plays, and I feel that he is on the rise. I love Tegray, he played his tail off."
Tegray Scales has certainly upped his productivity this season. Coach Allen's defense requires linebackers that finish plays, and so far this season Scales has done just that. He recorded his fourth consecutive game with double-digit tackles against Nebraska. He tallied 12 tackles (8 solo), including two for loss. For the season, the junior has notched a team-high 57 tackles.
Coach Wilson: "They've got the number one runner, number one receiver. They are playing outstanding. This team is playing really good offense the last couple of weeks -- 38 on the road at Iowa and 54 at Michigan State doesn't happen a whole lot. It's good football."
Justin Jackson, running back for Northwestern, leads the conference in both carries (143) and rushing yards (698). Jackson has also scored a rushing touchdown in five straight contests. Austin Carr leads the conference in a trio of receiving categories - receptions (43), yards (595) and touchdowns (8). Through four games, Northwestern was averaging just 16 points per game. Following a pair of offensive explosions, the team now averages 26 points per contest.
Sophomore defensive back Jonathan Crawford: "We like what we are doing. We are always going to be confident in ourselves. We know what we can be, and we know what we are going to be."
The biggest improvement to the Indiana defense this season has been the work of the defensive backfield. IU ranks 39th nationally in passing yards given up with 205 yards per game. Two weeks ago the Hoosiers held Heisman candidate J.T. Barrett to just nine completions on 21 attempts and less than 100 yards. Tommy Armstrong, Jr., of Nebraska completed just 10 passes for 208 yards. Northwestern's Clayton Thorson is coming off of a game in which he completed 27 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns. IU's defense will be put to the test once again against a confident Northwestern offense.
Fifth-year senior wide receiver Mitchell Paige: "They are big and physical. They will definitely be a challenge. They have been impressive the first couple of days on film, defensively. We are going to have to bring our best stuff and prepare better and be ready, because they are going to be coming."
IU's offense will have its hands full with the Wildcats defense. Coach Wilson would love to get the running game back on track, but it will be tough against a defense giving up just 140 yards per game. Northwestern's is allowing over 275 yards per game through the air. Paige is coming off of a 100-yard receiving game against the Cornhuskers.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana football players and coaches met with the media Monday for the Hoosiers' weekly press conference leading into Saturday's noon kickoff against at Northwestern.
Each week we will compile five quotes and storylines recapping the previous game and previewing the upcoming one.
Head coach Kevin Wilson: "In their last four games they got three victories and a close loss to a really good team. So they've weathered their storm offensively. And they played really well the last two weeks, especially the last two road games, really well on the road at Iowa and Michigan State. Good victories."
Northwestern started slow out of the gates, dropping games to Western Michigan and Illinois State. Since then, they have won three of their four, including the aforementioned road victories. The Wildcats lone loss in that stretch came against Nebraska, 24-13.
Defensive coordinator Tom Allen: "I believe, for our system, that position requires a young man that can finish. I have challenged him with some former players that have played in this system, at that spot and been productive. Obviously, it is on him to make those plays, and I feel that he is on the rise. I love Tegray, he played his tail off."
Tegray Scales has certainly upped his productivity this season. Coach Allen's defense requires linebackers that finish plays, and so far this season Scales has done just that. He recorded his fourth consecutive game with double-digit tackles against Nebraska. He tallied 12 tackles (8 solo), including two for loss. For the season, the junior has notched a team-high 57 tackles.
Coach Wilson: "They've got the number one runner, number one receiver. They are playing outstanding. This team is playing really good offense the last couple of weeks -- 38 on the road at Iowa and 54 at Michigan State doesn't happen a whole lot. It's good football."
Justin Jackson, running back for Northwestern, leads the conference in both carries (143) and rushing yards (698). Jackson has also scored a rushing touchdown in five straight contests. Austin Carr leads the conference in a trio of receiving categories - receptions (43), yards (595) and touchdowns (8). Through four games, Northwestern was averaging just 16 points per game. Following a pair of offensive explosions, the team now averages 26 points per contest.
Sophomore defensive back Jonathan Crawford: "We like what we are doing. We are always going to be confident in ourselves. We know what we can be, and we know what we are going to be."
The biggest improvement to the Indiana defense this season has been the work of the defensive backfield. IU ranks 39th nationally in passing yards given up with 205 yards per game. Two weeks ago the Hoosiers held Heisman candidate J.T. Barrett to just nine completions on 21 attempts and less than 100 yards. Tommy Armstrong, Jr., of Nebraska completed just 10 passes for 208 yards. Northwestern's Clayton Thorson is coming off of a game in which he completed 27 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns. IU's defense will be put to the test once again against a confident Northwestern offense.
Fifth-year senior wide receiver Mitchell Paige: "They are big and physical. They will definitely be a challenge. They have been impressive the first couple of days on film, defensively. We are going to have to bring our best stuff and prepare better and be ready, because they are going to be coming."
IU's offense will have its hands full with the Wildcats defense. Coach Wilson would love to get the running game back on track, but it will be tough against a defense giving up just 140 yards per game. Northwestern's is allowing over 275 yards per game through the air. Paige is coming off of a 100-yard receiving game against the Cornhuskers.
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