Indiana University Athletics
Allen Looking for More Consistency on Defense
11/1/2016 5:07:00 PM | Football
By: Charlie Duffy
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Tom Allen wants more consistency from his defense.
"I did not think we played as well against Maryland as we had been playing, but we were very effective in critical times," Allen said. "To me, that was the key. Interestingly enough, I challenged our team on Sunday to be more consistent. In some previous games we played really well, but at some critical moments we broke down. This game we did not play as well as I had hoped for a majority of the time, but when it came down to those critical points in the game, we stepped up and made big plays that were the difference in the game."
Allen is encouraged by the fact that his defense stepped up in those critical situations. The next step is to put it all together and play a complete defensive game. Allen has been more than effective in turning the culture of IU's defense around. But in order to take the next step, the team will need to continue to build its consistency.
"Maryland gave us a lot of new wrinkles in the running game that we had not seen," Allen said. "They made us adjust on the fly. In a lot of ways, it really looked like the old-fashioned Wing-T. There was a lot of misdirection and our eyes were playing tricks on us. It caused us a lot of challenges."
Adjusting on the fly will be a huge part of the gameplan again this week. Rutgers quarterback Giovanni Rescigno made his first career start at Minnesota two weeks ago. With Rescigno in the game, the Scarlet Knights have opened the passing game a bit, but his limited playing time has made the film study a difficult process.
"That is what we expect from the linebacker position," Allen said. "They are doing what they are supposed to do. If you are going to play that position, in any system I can think of, you better be a leader and you better be productive."
No player on the defensive unit has been more productive this season than Tegray Scales. Through eight games, Scales has amassed 81 total tackles, including 60 solo stops, which ranks second in the NCAA. He has recorded double-digit tackles in a team-high six straight contests. That has not been achieved in over 25 years by a Hoosiers defender.
Marcus Oliver is coming off of a Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honor, the first program's first since 2005. With his two forced fumbles, he set the program career forced fumbles record (11) to go along with eight tackles and two sacks.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Tom Allen wants more consistency from his defense.
"I did not think we played as well against Maryland as we had been playing, but we were very effective in critical times," Allen said. "To me, that was the key. Interestingly enough, I challenged our team on Sunday to be more consistent. In some previous games we played really well, but at some critical moments we broke down. This game we did not play as well as I had hoped for a majority of the time, but when it came down to those critical points in the game, we stepped up and made big plays that were the difference in the game."
Allen is encouraged by the fact that his defense stepped up in those critical situations. The next step is to put it all together and play a complete defensive game. Allen has been more than effective in turning the culture of IU's defense around. But in order to take the next step, the team will need to continue to build its consistency.
"Maryland gave us a lot of new wrinkles in the running game that we had not seen," Allen said. "They made us adjust on the fly. In a lot of ways, it really looked like the old-fashioned Wing-T. There was a lot of misdirection and our eyes were playing tricks on us. It caused us a lot of challenges."
Adjusting on the fly will be a huge part of the gameplan again this week. Rutgers quarterback Giovanni Rescigno made his first career start at Minnesota two weeks ago. With Rescigno in the game, the Scarlet Knights have opened the passing game a bit, but his limited playing time has made the film study a difficult process.
"That is what we expect from the linebacker position," Allen said. "They are doing what they are supposed to do. If you are going to play that position, in any system I can think of, you better be a leader and you better be productive."
No player on the defensive unit has been more productive this season than Tegray Scales. Through eight games, Scales has amassed 81 total tackles, including 60 solo stops, which ranks second in the NCAA. He has recorded double-digit tackles in a team-high six straight contests. That has not been achieved in over 25 years by a Hoosiers defender.
Marcus Oliver is coming off of a Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honor, the first program's first since 2005. With his two forced fumbles, he set the program career forced fumbles record (11) to go along with eight tackles and two sacks.
Players Mentioned
LB
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