Tom Allen and Players React to Foster Farms Bowl Selection

Head Coach Tom Allen

On what it was like to tell the team where they were going…
"As you can tell by their response, they are pretty fired up. I got mobbed by them. I understand. So much goes into this season. We work so hard. The kids play so well. We've been so close and just to be rewarded for it with a great bowl location against such a great team. They're a top 20 team in the country right now, and have been playing really good football this season. All those things combined make for a really, really great opportunity and a ton of excitement out of the Hoosiers."

On the feeling that he can finally focus on one team…
"We had video on four or five different teams and we kind of had different travel plans. Now it's 'this is where we're going, this is who we're playing, and let's just roll our sleeves up and let's get to work.' It's a good feeling have us find out that as well."

On what steps need to be taken to prepare for the bowl game…
"I think we're still in the mode of a lot of recovery. We had a 10-week stretch there where we did not have a bye week. That took a toll on us at the end. Getting a lot of guys healthy, getting injuries rehabbed, getting our guys in the weight room, make sure we're running, conditioned. Still mixing enough practices where it allows us to stay sharp. It's more about getting your body right. Exams are coming up soon, we have to be able to maximize our study habits for those and finish strong in the classroom. It's going to be balancing that with recruiting, as coaches. Also, once we get back off the road, we'll hit Utah full speed."

On how much he relies on the older guys to teach others on getting through the bowl process…
"The words I use a lot is 'you got to be a pro.' It takes a mature, young man to be able to handle a different schedule. A little big right now, but we're not practicing every day. You are a pro in the fact, you need to do things right. When you're here, you are focused on what you are doing here. When you are away from here, you are representing this program in a first class way. That's what I expect from them to be doing right now. So, when you have guys that have been to bowl games, and used to the schedule that it creates, it sure helps a whole bunch. Having coaches that have been there, obviously I've been there seven of the last 8 years. That's been a big asset for us too."

On what winning a bowl game would mean to the program…
"It's huge. It's momentum for the future. Just the stamp of validation on the season, and the progress you're making in your program. It's something that hasn't happened here in a long time. I don't know the exact date but I know it's been awhile. The bottom line is, that's going to be our number one objective. We're playing a quality opponent, in a great bowl location, and we're going there to win."

Linebacker Tegray Scales

On the excitement that came along with the revealing of where they were going…
"Coming in, we hear a lot of talk about where we might go. Just getting a confirmation today that we're going to Cali, we are very excited. The team is all excited, ready to get after Utah."

On the keys going forward before the Foster Farms Bowl…
"Just the same thing, embracing the preparation. Continue to get our bodies together, eat well. Keeping our weight up and then we'll go start practicing soon. Just continue to embrace the grind and continue to prepare.

On what it means to the program to go to back-to-back bowls…
"I think it's a big step for our school. Just being consistent. I think that's what teams are judged off of, is being consistent. I think that's what we are becoming, a consistent team."

On what he knows about Utah…
"Like I said, they are a great team. They matched us up with them, just taking it on like every week. We just have to be ready and beat them."

Offensive Lineman Dan Feeney

On finding out about where they are going…
"Definitely a big deal. Heading out to California, it will definitely be fun to go back there, have a little fun. Will be different playing a Pac-12 team, but we'll watch our film and get ready."

On what he knows about Utah…
"We know they are a great team. Obviously, don't know all the ins and outs yet, haven't got into it. We know they're a good team, solid team, watched a couple of their games. Definitely will be a big challenge for us, so I'm excited."

On what they have to do to prepare for the bowl game…
"Balancing it out. We definitely have to do our recovery, definitely have to stay strong, stay conditioned. Balancing is our biggest thing. Obviously watching film on them and seeing what they do. Obviously, not getting to burnt out before the game. I think now that we've had a little experience with that, we know how to time that out."

On what it means to the program to go to back-to-back bowls…
"It's huge. We are definitely bringing in a lot of good guys in here. When I first got here, that wasn't exactly the culture we have now. Seeing that change, development, getting old players out, new players in. Seeing these guys just wanting to be here, love coming to work. It's exciting for me and it's exiting to have it be my senior season."

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