Indiana University Athletics
Allen, Hoosiers Know What's at Stake in Bowl Game
12/6/2016 4:12:00 PM | Football
By: Nick Reith
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Hoosiers know what's at stake in the Foster Farms Bowl.
Indiana's matchup against No. 19 Utah in Levi's Stadium on December 28 will be more than just an opportunity to play a 13th game, a grant to extend their season.
It's a chance for head coach Tom Allen and the Hoosiers to make history, to become the first team at IU since 1991 to hoist a bowl trophy. It would be a fitting end to this year, in which the Hoosiers have torn down barriers on their way to their second consecutive bowl bid for the first time since 1990-91.
"It's huge. It's momentum for the future, the stamp of validation on the season," said Allen after the announcement. "It shows the progress you're making within your program, and it's something that hasn't happened here in a long time."
The players were so fired up, they "mobbed" Allen on the field after hearing they had a date with the 19th-ranked Utes. That moment, with the Hoosiers surrounding their head coach in celebration, was a still frame of the sweeping change brought by Allen in his first year with IU.
"We've worked so hard," Allen said. "The kids have played so well, and we've been so close."
From the outset, fans could see Allen's hand on the defensive unit. IU created 16 of Indiana's points on defense in a 34-13 win over Florida International, including a safety and pick-6s by Tegray Scales and Rashard Fant. The defense earned three more "takeaways", a term brought to Indiana by Allen, in its home opener victory over Ball State. Richard Lagow delivered three touchdowns to give IU an insurmountable lead, and Nick Westbrook emerged as Indiana's big-play threat with 133 yards and two scores from three receptions.
Indiana suffered its first loss of the season, 33-28, to then-unbeaten Wake Forest, despite Ricky Jones' career performance with eight catches for 208 yards. That loss was tough to swallow, but it did well to light a fire and set up the Hoosiers next game against No. 17 Michigan State.
Trailing 14-0 nearing the end of the third quarter, Lagow led a drive down the field before IU pulled a trick out of its bag—a 5-yard jet sweep touchdown pass thrown by Mitchell Paige, caught by Lagow in the left corner of the end zone. Lagow connected with Jones and Paige to take a late 21-14 lead before the Spartans tied it to force overtime.
The defense held the line in the extra period, giving Griffin Oakes the chance to drill the game-winning field goal and giving the Hoosiers the chance to hoist the Old Brass Spittoon for the first time since 2006.
That win came before a series of heartbreaking setbacks. IU had a shot at No. 2 Ohio State but fell short despite a valiant defensive effort against quarterback J.T Barrett. No. 10 Nebraska escaped Bloomington with a 27-22 win. At Northwestern, the Hoosiers took the wheels off of the Wildcats' offense in the second half (0 points, 37 total yards), but they fell short 24-14.
Indiana picked up its fourth and fifth wins of the year after that. IU gave Maryland's spread run attack a taste of its own medicine, as Devine Redding, Tyler Natee, and Zander Diamont tallied over 100 yards each. The aerial attack was the answer against the Scarlet Knights, with Lagow racking up nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns.
The trek through November continued with two top-10 teams on the docket. The Hoosiers went toe-to-toe with No. 10 Penn State on offense, and the defense forced 16 backfield tackles while holding Big Ten Offensive Player of the year Saquon Barkley to 1.8 yards per carry, but PSU pulled out a 45-31 win.
Indiana again gave its all in a blizzard at the Big House, even leading the third-ranked Wolverines late in the third quarter, but Michigan's ground attack prevailed for a 20-10 triumph in the snow.
That meant the sought-after sixth win would come down to the Old Oaken Bucket game versus Purdue. A balanced attack combined with big play defense from players like Jonathan Crawford (2 INT, 1 FR) pushed IU to a 26-24 win, tying a program record with the Hoosiers fourth consecutive Old Oaken Bucket victory.
It wasn't an easy road for Indiana this season, but nobody expected that. The three teams finishing above Indiana in the Big Ten East—No. 3 Ohio State, No. 5 Penn State, and No. 6 Michigan—all had legitimate cases for reaching the College Football Playoff; the Buckeyes are slated in the semifinal with No. 2 Clemson.
The Hoosiers won't look at that standing for very long. Their focus is continually internal, and that mindset has led to a monumental season.
"When I first got here, that wasn't exactly the culture that we have now," said fifth-year senior Dan Feeney. "Seeing that change, that development in getting new players in here, is exciting. Guys love being here and coming to work."
Indiana will make use of every second leading up to the bowl game, prepping for the upcoming film analysis, practice sessions, and travel logistics, all while studying for final exams. And when it comes time to take the turf at Levi's Stadium, IU will only have one word on their mind.
Win.
"The bottom line is, that's our number one objective," Allen began. "We're playing a quality opponent in a great bowl location, and we're going there to win."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Hoosiers know what's at stake in the Foster Farms Bowl.
Indiana's matchup against No. 19 Utah in Levi's Stadium on December 28 will be more than just an opportunity to play a 13th game, a grant to extend their season.
It's a chance for head coach Tom Allen and the Hoosiers to make history, to become the first team at IU since 1991 to hoist a bowl trophy. It would be a fitting end to this year, in which the Hoosiers have torn down barriers on their way to their second consecutive bowl bid for the first time since 1990-91.
"It's huge. It's momentum for the future, the stamp of validation on the season," said Allen after the announcement. "It shows the progress you're making within your program, and it's something that hasn't happened here in a long time."
The players were so fired up, they "mobbed" Allen on the field after hearing they had a date with the 19th-ranked Utes. That moment, with the Hoosiers surrounding their head coach in celebration, was a still frame of the sweeping change brought by Allen in his first year with IU.
"We've worked so hard," Allen said. "The kids have played so well, and we've been so close."
From the outset, fans could see Allen's hand on the defensive unit. IU created 16 of Indiana's points on defense in a 34-13 win over Florida International, including a safety and pick-6s by Tegray Scales and Rashard Fant. The defense earned three more "takeaways", a term brought to Indiana by Allen, in its home opener victory over Ball State. Richard Lagow delivered three touchdowns to give IU an insurmountable lead, and Nick Westbrook emerged as Indiana's big-play threat with 133 yards and two scores from three receptions.
Indiana suffered its first loss of the season, 33-28, to then-unbeaten Wake Forest, despite Ricky Jones' career performance with eight catches for 208 yards. That loss was tough to swallow, but it did well to light a fire and set up the Hoosiers next game against No. 17 Michigan State.
Trailing 14-0 nearing the end of the third quarter, Lagow led a drive down the field before IU pulled a trick out of its bag—a 5-yard jet sweep touchdown pass thrown by Mitchell Paige, caught by Lagow in the left corner of the end zone. Lagow connected with Jones and Paige to take a late 21-14 lead before the Spartans tied it to force overtime.
The defense held the line in the extra period, giving Griffin Oakes the chance to drill the game-winning field goal and giving the Hoosiers the chance to hoist the Old Brass Spittoon for the first time since 2006.
That win came before a series of heartbreaking setbacks. IU had a shot at No. 2 Ohio State but fell short despite a valiant defensive effort against quarterback J.T Barrett. No. 10 Nebraska escaped Bloomington with a 27-22 win. At Northwestern, the Hoosiers took the wheels off of the Wildcats' offense in the second half (0 points, 37 total yards), but they fell short 24-14.
Indiana picked up its fourth and fifth wins of the year after that. IU gave Maryland's spread run attack a taste of its own medicine, as Devine Redding, Tyler Natee, and Zander Diamont tallied over 100 yards each. The aerial attack was the answer against the Scarlet Knights, with Lagow racking up nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns.
The trek through November continued with two top-10 teams on the docket. The Hoosiers went toe-to-toe with No. 10 Penn State on offense, and the defense forced 16 backfield tackles while holding Big Ten Offensive Player of the year Saquon Barkley to 1.8 yards per carry, but PSU pulled out a 45-31 win.
Indiana again gave its all in a blizzard at the Big House, even leading the third-ranked Wolverines late in the third quarter, but Michigan's ground attack prevailed for a 20-10 triumph in the snow.
That meant the sought-after sixth win would come down to the Old Oaken Bucket game versus Purdue. A balanced attack combined with big play defense from players like Jonathan Crawford (2 INT, 1 FR) pushed IU to a 26-24 win, tying a program record with the Hoosiers fourth consecutive Old Oaken Bucket victory.
It wasn't an easy road for Indiana this season, but nobody expected that. The three teams finishing above Indiana in the Big Ten East—No. 3 Ohio State, No. 5 Penn State, and No. 6 Michigan—all had legitimate cases for reaching the College Football Playoff; the Buckeyes are slated in the semifinal with No. 2 Clemson.
The Hoosiers won't look at that standing for very long. Their focus is continually internal, and that mindset has led to a monumental season.
"When I first got here, that wasn't exactly the culture that we have now," said fifth-year senior Dan Feeney. "Seeing that change, that development in getting new players in here, is exciting. Guys love being here and coming to work."
Indiana will make use of every second leading up to the bowl game, prepping for the upcoming film analysis, practice sessions, and travel logistics, all while studying for final exams. And when it comes time to take the turf at Levi's Stadium, IU will only have one word on their mind.
Win.
"The bottom line is, that's our number one objective," Allen began. "We're playing a quality opponent in a great bowl location, and we're going there to win."
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