Indiana University Athletics
Johns: Nothing New in Maryland Win, Rutgers Preview
11/4/2016 11:55:00 AM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – With their fourth win in hand, the Hoosiers head to New Jersey to take on Rutgers tomorrow. IU offensive coordinator Kevin Johns spoke about the win over Maryland and what must happen to beat the Scarlet Knights.
Even though the scoreboard was the Hoosiers favor against the Terrapins, Johns doesn't believe the offense did anything vastly different in the 42-36 victory.
"It's not anything new," Johns said. "It's our same concepts, we just feel like we played with a greater effort, a greater sense of urgency, we played harder. To us, it's the same thing we've been doing for a long time, just trying to find a way to use all our team's strengths and whatever it takes to win games."
Three Hoosiers rushed for 100-plus yards – Devine Redding, Zander Diamont and Tyler Natee. Although Diamont had a big impact on the field, it's the impact off the field where Johns appreciates him.
"Behind the scenes, I think any one of our teammates would say he's a great leader," Johns said. "He's a great teammate, he's not a selfish individual, he wants this team to win and that's why he's stuck with it. He told Coach Wilson 'Whatever I can do to help us win'. Danny Cameron says the same thing, Austin King, all those guys are great teammates. It just happens that Zander was in the position to make some plays, but all those guys are very selfless and they do a great job leading behind the scenes."
Indiana is facing Rutgers for the third time overall and the second time in Piscataway. The difference is first year head coach Chris Ash patrols the Scarlet Knights sideline.
"We need to go 1-0 this weekend and win this game. It's totally different, totally different teams, mindsets, the positions in the year where we are right now with our record. Just completely different," Johns said.
Rutgers has faced one of the toughest schedules in the country, including matchups with Michigan, Ohio State and Washington, among others.
"They've played a legit schedule," Johns said. "They played Washington, they played Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa and Minnesota are crossover games. They're not playing junior high football teams. It's a new coaching staff that brings a ton of energy and I know Coach (Chris) Ash is not going to accept anything but high energy. The kids are playing hard. It'd be different if you saw a team that quit, but these guys are flying around the field and giving everything they've got."
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