Indiana University Athletics
Spring Practice Report No. 7 - Offense
3/29/2016 10:12:00 PM | Football
By: Tori Ziege, IUHoosiers.com | Twitter
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Through spring ball practice No. 7, head coach Kevin Wilson has mapped out the remainder of Indiana's practices.
Tuesdays will be physical: pads on, tackling drills. Thursdays will be teaching days: minimal contact, but lots of technique, especially in throwing and the perimeter game. Saturdays will be reserved for scrimmages. The routine will carry the Hoosiers through to the annual Cream & Crimson Game on Friday, April 15, with official kick time set for 7 p.m.
The biggest question surrounding that game is who will be under center. Today was the first practice, Wilson said, in which the bulk of the first-team reps were taken by two quarterbacks: junior college transfer Richard Lagow and redshirt sophomore Danny Cameron.
But Wilson is in no hurry to name a starter.
"Whichever one is going to be the best will be the one," he said, "but we need two, if not three, we can win with."
In his midway progress report, Wilson continued to extol his teams' enthusiastic approach to practice and the energy it has carried over from winter workouts with new head strength and conditioning coach Keith Caton.
Wilson's only concern — if you can call it that — is maintaining that verve through the eight practices the Hoosiers have left.
"I really loved us on Saturday, yesterday and today," he said. "I'm encouraged by what I'm seeing. I just hope they can keep it going."
Indiana experimenting with flexible personnel on offense
Both Wilson and offensive coordinator Kevin Johns discussed utilizing players such as Ricky Brookins, Camion Patrick, Mike Majette and Devonte Williams in multiple roles on offense. All of them have the potential to play both running back and wide receiver, and have been working to enhance those skills.
If they can, it becomes a huge advantage for Indiana's no-huddle offense. Having dual-threat personnel allows the Hoosiers to move from play to play without having to substitute for running and passing scenarios, thus showing their hand.
"It's going to give us some very flexible options in the spring," Johns said.
Cobbs' experience leading receivers, aiding QBs
Last season, Indiana became one of four teams in FBS history to feature a 3,500-yard quarterback, two 1,000-yard rushers and a 1,000-yard wide receiver.
That wide receiver was Simmie Cobbs, Jr.
The junior said he is ready to take on the challenge of leading a unit that returns all of its starters. Unlike recent seasons, Indiana doesn't have to start from square one with its receiving corps — a boon for the less-seasoned quarterbacks. Cobbs had a great role model last year in Nate Sudfeld, and knows how to council the offense.
His steady hands and explosive playmaking ability don't hurt, either.
"We have the experience from the previous year of how a great offense looks," Cobbs said. "We know if something's not right, we have to tell the quarterbacks, because without us communicating with them, they're not really learning."
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Through spring ball practice No. 7, head coach Kevin Wilson has mapped out the remainder of Indiana's practices.
Tuesdays will be physical: pads on, tackling drills. Thursdays will be teaching days: minimal contact, but lots of technique, especially in throwing and the perimeter game. Saturdays will be reserved for scrimmages. The routine will carry the Hoosiers through to the annual Cream & Crimson Game on Friday, April 15, with official kick time set for 7 p.m.
The biggest question surrounding that game is who will be under center. Today was the first practice, Wilson said, in which the bulk of the first-team reps were taken by two quarterbacks: junior college transfer Richard Lagow and redshirt sophomore Danny Cameron.
But Wilson is in no hurry to name a starter.
"Whichever one is going to be the best will be the one," he said, "but we need two, if not three, we can win with."
In his midway progress report, Wilson continued to extol his teams' enthusiastic approach to practice and the energy it has carried over from winter workouts with new head strength and conditioning coach Keith Caton.
Wilson's only concern — if you can call it that — is maintaining that verve through the eight practices the Hoosiers have left.
"I really loved us on Saturday, yesterday and today," he said. "I'm encouraged by what I'm seeing. I just hope they can keep it going."
Indiana experimenting with flexible personnel on offense
Both Wilson and offensive coordinator Kevin Johns discussed utilizing players such as Ricky Brookins, Camion Patrick, Mike Majette and Devonte Williams in multiple roles on offense. All of them have the potential to play both running back and wide receiver, and have been working to enhance those skills.
If they can, it becomes a huge advantage for Indiana's no-huddle offense. Having dual-threat personnel allows the Hoosiers to move from play to play without having to substitute for running and passing scenarios, thus showing their hand.
"It's going to give us some very flexible options in the spring," Johns said.
Cobbs' experience leading receivers, aiding QBs
Last season, Indiana became one of four teams in FBS history to feature a 3,500-yard quarterback, two 1,000-yard rushers and a 1,000-yard wide receiver.
That wide receiver was Simmie Cobbs, Jr.
The junior said he is ready to take on the challenge of leading a unit that returns all of its starters. Unlike recent seasons, Indiana doesn't have to start from square one with its receiving corps — a boon for the less-seasoned quarterbacks. Cobbs had a great role model last year in Nate Sudfeld, and knows how to council the offense.
His steady hands and explosive playmaking ability don't hurt, either.
"We have the experience from the previous year of how a great offense looks," Cobbs said. "We know if something's not right, we have to tell the quarterbacks, because without us communicating with them, they're not really learning."
Players Mentioned
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