Indiana University Athletics
Quoted: Indiana vs. Michigan State
9/26/2016 8:33:00 PM | Football
By: Charlie Duffy
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana football players and coaches met with the media Monday for the Hoosiers' weekly press conference leading into Saturday's 8 p.m. kickoff against Michigan State.
Each week we will compile five quotes and storylines recapping the previous game and previewing the upcoming one. The Hoosiers will open conference play with a clash against the Spartans.
Head coach Kevin Wilson: "We are off to a good start this week with what's going to be great challenge, but we have to get back on track and we need to fight to win games. It will be a difficult challenge with Michigan State, who is a heck of a team. They are a good team, just like us, and I know they are going to have a good week."
The Spartans come into the weekend at 2-1. They lost their Big Ten opener against a tough Wisconsin team last weekend. Michigan State has been the class of the Big Ten for the last half decade, including a trip to the Rose Bowl in 2013 and competing in the College Football Playoff last season.
Redshirt junior cornerback Richard Fant: "It is a great opportunity and a great team. They are one of the best teams in the country and have been for a while. It is a great opportunity to open up Big Ten play with a great opponent. I know they will be ready for a fight on Saturday and I cannot wait."
The Spartans are known for their physical style of play and their offensive scheme reflects that. Every year they are near the top of the conference statistically in rushing yards. The smash-mouth, downhill approach also allows for plenty of play-action passing. The defensive backs will have to be ready for the deep shots that have been lethal over the years.
Defensive coordinator Tom Allen: "They have definitely established their identity as an offense. They do a lot more than most downhill teams, especially with shifts and jet sweeps. They do a great job with the 'eye-candy' to distract you, but at the end of the day they want to run it right at you."
Indiana's defense will have to play fundamentally sound football to hold down the Spartans offensive arsenal. Also, after failing to register a takeaway in the previous game, the Hoosiers will look to be aggressive in attacking the ball. Coach Allen preaches takeaways every day at practice, but says that the team will make sure to emphasize it that much more in practice this week.
Fifth-year senior wide receiver Ricky Jones: "We have to figure out how to get in the end zone. That will be a big key for us this weekend. We need to finish, run downhill and figure out ways to finish in the end zone."
Indiana has scored six times (4 touchdowns) in 10 red zone trips this season. In order to compete with the Big Ten schedule, especially a stout Michigan State team, those are opportunities that need to be turned into points.
On the plus side, the Hoosiers offense is coming off of a game against the Demon Deacons in which they put up video game-type numbers. Wake came in giving up less than 250 yards per game. The Hoosiers were able to throw for nearly 500 yards and gained 611 total.
Wilson: "We have to be a lot tougher. We have to be a lot more physical, find some run game, take care of the ball, do things that it takes to win, because that team last week, they came in and played good team ball."
Indiana was unable to establish the running game against Wake Forest. In total the Hosiers gained 115 yards on the ground, the fewest since their October 24th matchup against Michigan State in 2015. Devine Redding and the rest of the IU offense will look to get the running game back on track against a defense that only allows 89 yards per game on the ground.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana football players and coaches met with the media Monday for the Hoosiers' weekly press conference leading into Saturday's 8 p.m. kickoff against Michigan State.
Each week we will compile five quotes and storylines recapping the previous game and previewing the upcoming one. The Hoosiers will open conference play with a clash against the Spartans.
Head coach Kevin Wilson: "We are off to a good start this week with what's going to be great challenge, but we have to get back on track and we need to fight to win games. It will be a difficult challenge with Michigan State, who is a heck of a team. They are a good team, just like us, and I know they are going to have a good week."
The Spartans come into the weekend at 2-1. They lost their Big Ten opener against a tough Wisconsin team last weekend. Michigan State has been the class of the Big Ten for the last half decade, including a trip to the Rose Bowl in 2013 and competing in the College Football Playoff last season.
Redshirt junior cornerback Richard Fant: "It is a great opportunity and a great team. They are one of the best teams in the country and have been for a while. It is a great opportunity to open up Big Ten play with a great opponent. I know they will be ready for a fight on Saturday and I cannot wait."
The Spartans are known for their physical style of play and their offensive scheme reflects that. Every year they are near the top of the conference statistically in rushing yards. The smash-mouth, downhill approach also allows for plenty of play-action passing. The defensive backs will have to be ready for the deep shots that have been lethal over the years.
Defensive coordinator Tom Allen: "They have definitely established their identity as an offense. They do a lot more than most downhill teams, especially with shifts and jet sweeps. They do a great job with the 'eye-candy' to distract you, but at the end of the day they want to run it right at you."
Indiana's defense will have to play fundamentally sound football to hold down the Spartans offensive arsenal. Also, after failing to register a takeaway in the previous game, the Hoosiers will look to be aggressive in attacking the ball. Coach Allen preaches takeaways every day at practice, but says that the team will make sure to emphasize it that much more in practice this week.
Fifth-year senior wide receiver Ricky Jones: "We have to figure out how to get in the end zone. That will be a big key for us this weekend. We need to finish, run downhill and figure out ways to finish in the end zone."
Indiana has scored six times (4 touchdowns) in 10 red zone trips this season. In order to compete with the Big Ten schedule, especially a stout Michigan State team, those are opportunities that need to be turned into points.
On the plus side, the Hoosiers offense is coming off of a game against the Demon Deacons in which they put up video game-type numbers. Wake came in giving up less than 250 yards per game. The Hoosiers were able to throw for nearly 500 yards and gained 611 total.
Wilson: "We have to be a lot tougher. We have to be a lot more physical, find some run game, take care of the ball, do things that it takes to win, because that team last week, they came in and played good team ball."
Indiana was unable to establish the running game against Wake Forest. In total the Hosiers gained 115 yards on the ground, the fewest since their October 24th matchup against Michigan State in 2015. Devine Redding and the rest of the IU offense will look to get the running game back on track against a defense that only allows 89 yards per game on the ground.
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