Indiana University Athletics
IU Looks To Keep Spring Game Fun
4/14/2016 2:27:00 PM | Football
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - All of the work and sweat equity that went into six weeks of spring football practice is nearly complete.
Now comes the fun part—the game.
The Hoosiers are expecting to enjoy Friday evening's Spring Game at Memorial Stadium. The format will allow for both a scrimmage and conventional practice mixed in with fan involvement that should have the makings for an upbeat atmosphere as IU wraps up organized team practice until the fall semester.
"Just a lot of energy, have fun," redshirt junior cornerback Rashard Fant said. "It's us getting to play football one last time until we wrap it up until fall camp, so go out there and enjoy it."
The brunt of the work Indiana had to get done during the spring is already complete.
The Hoosiers spent their practices looking to retool one of the Big Ten's most dynamic offenses while implementing a new defensive scheme on the other.
Both processes will only continue into the summer's limited work before starting again when the full roster reconvenes in Bloomington the month before school begins for fall classes. But based on what he's seen, redshirt junior linebacker Marcus Oliver said IU is on schedule because of the energy players have brought to practice.
"We came out and set the tone every day," Oliver said. "Everybody's out there playing with some confidence and playing together, so that's been exciting."
"Energy" has been a buzzword of sorts around practice the last few weeks. Head coach Kevin Wilson has gone out of his way to compliment the enthusiasm his players have been coming into practice with since winter workouts and has been particularly pleased with the way his team has responded to an increased workload in the closing stretch of practice.
Fans in attendance at the Spring Game will get a chance to see that enthusiasm up close in the scrimmage. Junior Simmie Cobbs, Jr., IU's lead returning receiver, said he thinks fans will enjoy what they see.
"(We'll) have some fun and give them something to enjoy and laugh about," Cobbs said. "Get them thinking about IU football."
A boost of excitement would be an appropriate way to close out an academic year that included Indiana's trip to the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. Players have talked openly about wanting to make football a talking point around campus one last time before beginning their behind-the-scenes work in the summer.
Friday is their chance, and sophomore offensive lineman Brandon Knight said fans can expect a show.
"I think the fans are going to enjoy it," he said.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - All of the work and sweat equity that went into six weeks of spring football practice is nearly complete.
Now comes the fun part—the game.
The Hoosiers are expecting to enjoy Friday evening's Spring Game at Memorial Stadium. The format will allow for both a scrimmage and conventional practice mixed in with fan involvement that should have the makings for an upbeat atmosphere as IU wraps up organized team practice until the fall semester.
"Just a lot of energy, have fun," redshirt junior cornerback Rashard Fant said. "It's us getting to play football one last time until we wrap it up until fall camp, so go out there and enjoy it."
The brunt of the work Indiana had to get done during the spring is already complete.
The Hoosiers spent their practices looking to retool one of the Big Ten's most dynamic offenses while implementing a new defensive scheme on the other.
Both processes will only continue into the summer's limited work before starting again when the full roster reconvenes in Bloomington the month before school begins for fall classes. But based on what he's seen, redshirt junior linebacker Marcus Oliver said IU is on schedule because of the energy players have brought to practice.
"We came out and set the tone every day," Oliver said. "Everybody's out there playing with some confidence and playing together, so that's been exciting."
"Energy" has been a buzzword of sorts around practice the last few weeks. Head coach Kevin Wilson has gone out of his way to compliment the enthusiasm his players have been coming into practice with since winter workouts and has been particularly pleased with the way his team has responded to an increased workload in the closing stretch of practice.
Fans in attendance at the Spring Game will get a chance to see that enthusiasm up close in the scrimmage. Junior Simmie Cobbs, Jr., IU's lead returning receiver, said he thinks fans will enjoy what they see.
"(We'll) have some fun and give them something to enjoy and laugh about," Cobbs said. "Get them thinking about IU football."
A boost of excitement would be an appropriate way to close out an academic year that included Indiana's trip to the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. Players have talked openly about wanting to make football a talking point around campus one last time before beginning their behind-the-scenes work in the summer.
Friday is their chance, and sophomore offensive lineman Brandon Knight said fans can expect a show.
"I think the fans are going to enjoy it," he said.
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