Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Indiana vs. Ohio State
10/3/2016 8:44:00 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 3:30 p.m. kickoff at No. 2/2 Ohio State.
Each week we will compile five quotes and storylines recapping the previous game and previewing the upcoming one.
Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Luke Timian: "It showed us that we can finish games. That was a huge question mark for us last year, but proving to ourselves that we can finish gives us confidence moving forward."
The Hoosiers focus all off-season was to finish games. Last season several games seemed to slip away in the final minutes. Ohio State comes into the game outscoring their opponents 108-7 in the second half. Indiana's emphasis has paid off early this year as they have been able to outscore their opponents 77-49, including outscoring Michigan State 17-7 in the fourth quarter and overtime to capture the Old Brass Spittoon.
Redshirt junior defensive lineman Nate Hoff: "We need a great week of practice. They are, obviously, a great team. It will be a great challenge for us, but I am excited. It is going to be fun."
Ohio State's potent offense is led by Heisman candidate quarterback J.T. Barrett. Through four games, the Buckeyes average 57 points per game, which leads the conference and is third nationally. The offense is fueled by their ground game, which averages a staggering 332 yards per game, again topping the conference and standing third nationally. IU's defense has been tough against the run this season, yielding less than 140 yards per game, but will face the biggest test of the season.
Head coach Kevin Wilson: "I think one of the premier players in college football is J.T. Barrett, and one of the reasons why he's probably one of the best teammates because he battled through a quarterback controversy as a great player."
A year removed from a quarterback competition with Cardale Jones, Barrett finally has the reigns of Urban Meyer's offense. Barrett has been dominant this year, completing nearly 70 percent of his passes for 900 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is also third on the team in rushing with 200 yards on the ground and a trio of scores.
Defensive coordinator Tom Allen: "We play a very aggressive brand of defense. When the ball is in the air, we want to make sure that we come down with it. Takeaways have been and will continue to be a very big emphasis for us this season."
After posting back-to-back games to start the season with three takeaways, the Hoosiers defense has failed to reach their goal for consecutive weeks. Rashard Fant appeared to register his second interception of the season, but the play was negated by a defensive penalty. Allen described the penalty as an 'act of aggression' and acknowledged that is something that he lives with, as long as the defense is playing fanatical football. Getting to their goal of three against the Buckeyes will be crucial for the defense's success.
Coach Wilson: "They have a lot of competition over there where they got a young team that's buying in, and Coach Meyer has a great staff. He does a great job, and he's got a great team atmosphere going right now. It's a young team that is very talented but playing very well as a team."
Matching the ferocity of the offense, the defense is equally stout, surrendering just nine points a contest to lead the nation. OSU also ranks inside the top 12 in passing yards per game allowed, rushing yards allowed and total yardage allowed.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana football players and coaches met with the media Monday for the Hoosiers' weekly press conference leading into Saturday's 3:30 p.m. kickoff at No. 2/2 Ohio State.
Each week we will compile five quotes and storylines recapping the previous game and previewing the upcoming one.
Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Luke Timian: "It showed us that we can finish games. That was a huge question mark for us last year, but proving to ourselves that we can finish gives us confidence moving forward."
The Hoosiers focus all off-season was to finish games. Last season several games seemed to slip away in the final minutes. Ohio State comes into the game outscoring their opponents 108-7 in the second half. Indiana's emphasis has paid off early this year as they have been able to outscore their opponents 77-49, including outscoring Michigan State 17-7 in the fourth quarter and overtime to capture the Old Brass Spittoon.
Redshirt junior defensive lineman Nate Hoff: "We need a great week of practice. They are, obviously, a great team. It will be a great challenge for us, but I am excited. It is going to be fun."
Ohio State's potent offense is led by Heisman candidate quarterback J.T. Barrett. Through four games, the Buckeyes average 57 points per game, which leads the conference and is third nationally. The offense is fueled by their ground game, which averages a staggering 332 yards per game, again topping the conference and standing third nationally. IU's defense has been tough against the run this season, yielding less than 140 yards per game, but will face the biggest test of the season.
Head coach Kevin Wilson: "I think one of the premier players in college football is J.T. Barrett, and one of the reasons why he's probably one of the best teammates because he battled through a quarterback controversy as a great player."
A year removed from a quarterback competition with Cardale Jones, Barrett finally has the reigns of Urban Meyer's offense. Barrett has been dominant this year, completing nearly 70 percent of his passes for 900 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is also third on the team in rushing with 200 yards on the ground and a trio of scores.
Defensive coordinator Tom Allen: "We play a very aggressive brand of defense. When the ball is in the air, we want to make sure that we come down with it. Takeaways have been and will continue to be a very big emphasis for us this season."
After posting back-to-back games to start the season with three takeaways, the Hoosiers defense has failed to reach their goal for consecutive weeks. Rashard Fant appeared to register his second interception of the season, but the play was negated by a defensive penalty. Allen described the penalty as an 'act of aggression' and acknowledged that is something that he lives with, as long as the defense is playing fanatical football. Getting to their goal of three against the Buckeyes will be crucial for the defense's success.
Coach Wilson: "They have a lot of competition over there where they got a young team that's buying in, and Coach Meyer has a great staff. He does a great job, and he's got a great team atmosphere going right now. It's a young team that is very talented but playing very well as a team."
Matching the ferocity of the offense, the defense is equally stout, surrendering just nine points a contest to lead the nation. OSU also ranks inside the top 12 in passing yards per game allowed, rushing yards allowed and total yardage allowed.
Players Mentioned
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