Indiana University Athletics
Allen Encouraged by Leadership on Defense
11/8/2016 8:42:00 PM | Football
By: Nick Reith
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – There was a point during the Indiana Hoosiers' win over Rutgers last weekend where Tom Allen saw the fruits of his labor over the past 10 months.
While he was scrolling through the film on Sunday morning, he saw redshirt junior linebacker Marcus Oliver grabbing his teammates and pulling them into position moments before the snap, all while barking commands and adjustments he read from Rutgers' formation.
The sequence was poetry in motion for Allen.
"I told our staff, 'That's what it's supposed to look like,'" Allen said, pointing at Oliver on the projector. "You could tell that he was running the defense, grabbing guys and moving them around. He's always been awesome as a person, he just needs to be louder, more confident, and more in charge."
The vocal leadership from Oliver is particularly special to Allen, given that the linebacker used to be a fairly quiet player. It's clear after Saturday's win, a dominating defensive performance, that Indiana extracted that confidence out of Oliver.
"I'm so proud of him, and I wanted to make sure that I made a big deal out of it to our staff and in our team meeting on Sunday," Allen continued. "That's what his position demands."
Oliver's leadership might have won the day in Allen's eyes, but it was far from the only bright spot of the IU defense's weekend. The Hoosiers allowed just one third down on 16 attempts, including 11 three-and out sequences on the Scarlet Knights' final 15 drives. They also swarmed the backfield for three sacks and two tackles for loss.
"I don't believe we've ever held anyone to zero third downs, and the only one they converted was the touchdown in the third quarter," Allen said on the defensive feat. "I'm really proud of our players for being that dominant in that situation. Like anything else, it was a team effort: the defensive line got pressure, our linebackers and secondary excelled in coverage and applying pressure, and our coaches for scheming those third-down stops. That was a huge key to our success, getting our guys off the field so our offense could get the ball."
There was another moment in the game that Allen, the coaches, and the players couldn't get out of their minds. The Hoosiers had one final stop to make, while Rutgers was doing all they could to preserve the game clock. The Scarlet Knights completed a pass, but when the receiver made a move to get out of bounds, Tegray Scales lifted him into the air and dropped him back in the field of play.
Scales' propensity for closing on the play and making the tackle, along with feats of strength like his move at the end of the game, are part of why he has more solo tackles than any Power 5 player this season.
"We talked to our players before they took the field about keeping them in bounds," said Allen. "On that play, you can see the receiver swing his legs to go out, but they didn't touch the ground, and it almost looked like a wrestling move that he performed on the guy. It was a great heads up play by Tegray, it shows that he understands what we're trying to do in that situation."
Allen was equally excited about the performance he received from Robert McCray III, who tallied two tackles for loss and a sack on three solo stops. It's an encouraging sign for Allen, since McCray missed spring ball and the fall camp. He's come a long way since then.
"Now, to have a guy with his explosiveness off the edge is a big boost," Allen said on McCray's return. "There was a third-and-long play where he trailed back on the quarterback and ran him down from the backside, and another where he simply beat his tackle out of the stance and nearly forced an interception. You can't replace his speed and athleticism; now, it's about getting him to understand his role in the system and playing hard every snap."
On Saturday, the Hoosiers host No. 12/14 Penn State, who jumped onto the scene after handing Ohio State their first loss of the season in week eight.
Allen is taking every precaution against their dynamic backfield, which includes redshirt sophomore quarterback Trace McSorley and sophomore running back Saquon Barkley.
"We've faced a lot of talented players this year, and these two guys are next in line," Allen said. "They have one of the most complete running backs in terms of being able to catch the ball in space, and also as a true tailback; he does a great job of getting his pads down the hill, keeping his balance, and running with speed. And because of their quarterback's ability to throw and the way their offense has evolved, you have to account for him in the run game. He's not a big guy, but he's a smart, instinctive runner."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – There was a point during the Indiana Hoosiers' win over Rutgers last weekend where Tom Allen saw the fruits of his labor over the past 10 months.
While he was scrolling through the film on Sunday morning, he saw redshirt junior linebacker Marcus Oliver grabbing his teammates and pulling them into position moments before the snap, all while barking commands and adjustments he read from Rutgers' formation.
The sequence was poetry in motion for Allen.
"I told our staff, 'That's what it's supposed to look like,'" Allen said, pointing at Oliver on the projector. "You could tell that he was running the defense, grabbing guys and moving them around. He's always been awesome as a person, he just needs to be louder, more confident, and more in charge."
The vocal leadership from Oliver is particularly special to Allen, given that the linebacker used to be a fairly quiet player. It's clear after Saturday's win, a dominating defensive performance, that Indiana extracted that confidence out of Oliver.
"I'm so proud of him, and I wanted to make sure that I made a big deal out of it to our staff and in our team meeting on Sunday," Allen continued. "That's what his position demands."
Oliver's leadership might have won the day in Allen's eyes, but it was far from the only bright spot of the IU defense's weekend. The Hoosiers allowed just one third down on 16 attempts, including 11 three-and out sequences on the Scarlet Knights' final 15 drives. They also swarmed the backfield for three sacks and two tackles for loss.
"I don't believe we've ever held anyone to zero third downs, and the only one they converted was the touchdown in the third quarter," Allen said on the defensive feat. "I'm really proud of our players for being that dominant in that situation. Like anything else, it was a team effort: the defensive line got pressure, our linebackers and secondary excelled in coverage and applying pressure, and our coaches for scheming those third-down stops. That was a huge key to our success, getting our guys off the field so our offense could get the ball."
There was another moment in the game that Allen, the coaches, and the players couldn't get out of their minds. The Hoosiers had one final stop to make, while Rutgers was doing all they could to preserve the game clock. The Scarlet Knights completed a pass, but when the receiver made a move to get out of bounds, Tegray Scales lifted him into the air and dropped him back in the field of play.
Scales' propensity for closing on the play and making the tackle, along with feats of strength like his move at the end of the game, are part of why he has more solo tackles than any Power 5 player this season.
"We talked to our players before they took the field about keeping them in bounds," said Allen. "On that play, you can see the receiver swing his legs to go out, but they didn't touch the ground, and it almost looked like a wrestling move that he performed on the guy. It was a great heads up play by Tegray, it shows that he understands what we're trying to do in that situation."
Allen was equally excited about the performance he received from Robert McCray III, who tallied two tackles for loss and a sack on three solo stops. It's an encouraging sign for Allen, since McCray missed spring ball and the fall camp. He's come a long way since then.
"Now, to have a guy with his explosiveness off the edge is a big boost," Allen said on McCray's return. "There was a third-and-long play where he trailed back on the quarterback and ran him down from the backside, and another where he simply beat his tackle out of the stance and nearly forced an interception. You can't replace his speed and athleticism; now, it's about getting him to understand his role in the system and playing hard every snap."
On Saturday, the Hoosiers host No. 12/14 Penn State, who jumped onto the scene after handing Ohio State their first loss of the season in week eight.
Allen is taking every precaution against their dynamic backfield, which includes redshirt sophomore quarterback Trace McSorley and sophomore running back Saquon Barkley.
"We've faced a lot of talented players this year, and these two guys are next in line," Allen said. "They have one of the most complete running backs in terms of being able to catch the ball in space, and also as a true tailback; he does a great job of getting his pads down the hill, keeping his balance, and running with speed. And because of their quarterback's ability to throw and the way their offense has evolved, you have to account for him in the run game. He's not a big guy, but he's a smart, instinctive runner."
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