Indiana University Athletics
Allen: Defense Needs to Contain OSU Speed
10/4/2016 6:29:00 PM | Football
By: Ben Segelbaum
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Following the Hoosiers victory over No. 17/16 Michigan State, defensive coordinator Tom Allen spoke with the media about the Old Brass Spittoon win and previewed the test that is to come against No. 2/2 Ohio State.
Although it was a full team win, linebackers Tegray Scales and Marcus Oliver stood out to Allen, an ex-linebacker himself, as they combined for 20 tackles.
"I have a real passion about that position, being the leaders of the defense, taking ownership of it verbally and physically." Allen said. "I never really had a great defense when we didn't have really good linebackers and both of those guys, they're really quality people. They are wanting to get this right and get things fixed, they've really been guys I've leaned on."
The Hoosiers weren't unscathed from adversity in the final quarter of the game as they gave up a game-tying touchdown in the final seconds. When the game turned itself over back to the defense in overtime, Allen had some worries.
"I really was disappointed that we didn't finish the game. You can talk about several different situations where we didn't come up with the stop, but on the final fourth-and-two play, we thought we had a pretty good idea what they were going to do and our guys fall down." Allen said. "I was a little concerned (going into overtime) because you can look at the two benches, they were jumping up and down because they had just got new life after coming from behind on that drive and our guys are kind of hanging their head a little bit."
Allen made sure his team was ready for the overtime session and they delivered with three stops, including two sacks, to put the offense in position to win.
Saturday's opponent, the Ohio State Buckeyes, are ranked first in the Big Ten in scoring, total and rushing offense. The man under center for the Buckeyes is J.T. Barrett, and Allen has had his eye on him from the beginning.
"Good football team. I've been fortunate to be able to see several (players) up-close-and-personal the last several years." Allen said. "They have great team speed and they have an excellent quarterback, as good as you're going to find in this country. We recruited (Barrett) when I was at Ole Miss and I got to know him. He's just a quality person as well as being a really good player. Any time you have a guy that can throw it and run it with great effectiveness. It always puts pressure on the defense."
Going to Ohio Stadium means Allen's defense has to play at a high level for the entire ballgame.
"We are going to have to be able to be extremely sound and do a great job. We'll have a great plan our kids are going to believe in, they're going to play their tails off for 60 minutes." Allen said. "Obviously a tremendous challenge for us as a defense and both in scheme, in talent and environment. I told our guys today, it's exciting, it's a great opportunity that you get a chance to go there and prove a bunch of people wrong."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Following the Hoosiers victory over No. 17/16 Michigan State, defensive coordinator Tom Allen spoke with the media about the Old Brass Spittoon win and previewed the test that is to come against No. 2/2 Ohio State.
Although it was a full team win, linebackers Tegray Scales and Marcus Oliver stood out to Allen, an ex-linebacker himself, as they combined for 20 tackles.
"I have a real passion about that position, being the leaders of the defense, taking ownership of it verbally and physically." Allen said. "I never really had a great defense when we didn't have really good linebackers and both of those guys, they're really quality people. They are wanting to get this right and get things fixed, they've really been guys I've leaned on."
The Hoosiers weren't unscathed from adversity in the final quarter of the game as they gave up a game-tying touchdown in the final seconds. When the game turned itself over back to the defense in overtime, Allen had some worries.
"I really was disappointed that we didn't finish the game. You can talk about several different situations where we didn't come up with the stop, but on the final fourth-and-two play, we thought we had a pretty good idea what they were going to do and our guys fall down." Allen said. "I was a little concerned (going into overtime) because you can look at the two benches, they were jumping up and down because they had just got new life after coming from behind on that drive and our guys are kind of hanging their head a little bit."
Allen made sure his team was ready for the overtime session and they delivered with three stops, including two sacks, to put the offense in position to win.
Saturday's opponent, the Ohio State Buckeyes, are ranked first in the Big Ten in scoring, total and rushing offense. The man under center for the Buckeyes is J.T. Barrett, and Allen has had his eye on him from the beginning.
"Good football team. I've been fortunate to be able to see several (players) up-close-and-personal the last several years." Allen said. "They have great team speed and they have an excellent quarterback, as good as you're going to find in this country. We recruited (Barrett) when I was at Ole Miss and I got to know him. He's just a quality person as well as being a really good player. Any time you have a guy that can throw it and run it with great effectiveness. It always puts pressure on the defense."
Going to Ohio Stadium means Allen's defense has to play at a high level for the entire ballgame.
"We are going to have to be able to be extremely sound and do a great job. We'll have a great plan our kids are going to believe in, they're going to play their tails off for 60 minutes." Allen said. "Obviously a tremendous challenge for us as a defense and both in scheme, in talent and environment. I told our guys today, it's exciting, it's a great opportunity that you get a chance to go there and prove a bunch of people wrong."
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