Indiana’s Challenge Is Clear – Consistent, Strong Preparation

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – It's all here for Indiana football -- a winning record, a bowl game, a chance to rock the Big Ten order.

The Hoosiers (4-2) have six games remaining -- trips to Maryland (3-3), Nebraska (4-3), No. 7 Penn State (6-0) and Purdue (2-4) -- home contests against Northwestern (1-4) and No. 16 Michigan (5-1). They need two victories for bowl eligibility, three to clinch a winning record.

When you consider what South Carolina did to previously unbeaten Georgia last Saturday, well, all things are possible.

IU has shown flashes of excellence. To sustain it against this kind of competition, head coach Tom Allen said during Monday's press conference, starts well before kickoff.

"It's so critical to be consistent in your preparation. That is the message because that allows you to do the little things right at critical times. That's how you perform at a high level. When the chips are down and the game's on the line, this is what we have to do."

Saturday's blowout victory over Rutgers will not be the norm. Maryland, coming off a blowout loss at Purdue, has big-play talent led by dual-threat quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome, who ran for 107 yards and threw for 218 against the Boilermakers.

"Games are going to come down to the final series," Allen said. "It's the consistency in your preparation, the consistency in your execution that will allow us to get a consistent result. That's what I want to see."

Allen has designed practices to get that result, starting with Saturday's trip to Maryland.

"We just challenged our staff about teaching and making sure (to do) what's best for each guy," Allen said. "Everybody is a little bit different. Don't just assume things with your guys.

"We have a whole process to help our guys get mentally ready, but making sure the young guys, like (offensive lineman) Matt Bedford, who hasn't been in this situation week after week after week at this level, (are ready).

"How is he going to handle it? It's one thing to get thrust in there and play well the first time you get out there (at Michigan State). Then you've got to do it again, and again. Now you've got to do it again, and you're on the road."

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IU is looking for its second-straight Big Ten victory. The last time that happened was near the end of the 2017 season, when the Hoosiers beat Illinois and Rutgers.

That was Allen's first season as head coach, and he aims to make conference winning streaks the norm.

"It's what you have to do," he said. "You have to do it at home. You've got to do it on the road. You've got to do it with all your guys healthy, with some of your guys healthy.

"That's what we're shooting for. We have a goal of what we want to accomplish with this program and where we want to take this program. It's a step-by-step process of getting there.

"It's critical to get a second conference win in a row, and then try to get a third one. That's the progression you go through.

"It's all about grit."

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It's no surprise that defensive tackle Demarcus Elliott was the defensive player of the game against Rutgers. He did, after all, have the tone-setting sack on the game's opening play that produced a fumble return for a touchdown by Reakwon Jones.

Less heralded on Saturday, but just as effective was safety Khalil Bryant, who also earned team defensive honors. He had three tackles and played solid pass coverage.

"Khalil has been playing so consistent," Allen said. "I'm really encouraged. He's so dependable. He makes a lot of checks (in the secondary). He sets everybody and calms everybody and is just playing hard and tackling well. I'm encouraged by that."

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Cornerback Reese Taylor has been limited by injuries, but not by attitude. So when the former Indiana Mr. Football out of Indianapolis Ben Davis High School was called offsides during an Indiana kickoff to negate a tackle, he didn't blink. The Hoosiers kicked off again and Taylor made the tackle again.

Adding to the intrigue, Taylor might not have been offsides.

"But (officials) called it," Allen said. "You can't complain about it. So he came back and – boom! – made the tackle again."

As a result, Taylor was the special teams player of the game.

"I was really encouraged by the fact it didn't faze him," Allen said. "His confidence is growing. Obviously we missed him with some injuries, but it's great to have him back. He's one of our best players. I love his mindset. He's a tough kid. He had some very physical plays on defense. That's what we have to have."

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IU's deep receiving corps continues to stress opposing defenses. Seven receivers caught at least one pass against Rutgers, eight if you count tight end Peyton Hendershot, which you should given that he has 21 catches for 256 yards and four touchdowns for the season.

Whop Philyor leads with 41 catches for 553 yards and three TDs.

Nick Westbrook had five catches for 50 yards and a 19-yard touchdown against Rutgers. For the season, he has 15 catches for 219 yards and three touchdowns. Ty Fryfogle has 21 catches for 184 yards and a touchdown. Donavan Hale has 16 catches for 283 yards and two touchdowns. He has a team-leading 17.7-yard average per catch.

"You never know which guy is going to be," Allen said. "D-Hale had a big game against Michigan State. Ty had a big catch. Whop's obviously had a couple of good games here. It might be somebody else coming up the following week.

"That's where you have a lot of different guys. (Opponents) can't key on one guy. They try to take away one of them, it's going to create one-on-ones and free up somebody else. So we're going to take what the defense is giving us. That's the whole goal. Whatever we've got to do to score points and win games, that's the objective."

Westbrook has been overshadowed by Philyor, but hasn't pouted.

"Nick's an unselfish guy, and that's why L-E-O (Love Each Other), to me, is the foundation of this whole program," Allen said. "That is it's not about me. I don't care who gets the credit. I just want to win.

"Everyone wants to get catches and make plays, and Nick got a chance to get several of those Saturday. I love to see him be rewarded because he's such an unselfish guy who's done everything we've asked him to do. He's a captain on our team and a leader on the whole campus."

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Senior cornerback A'Shon Riggins has given up playing football, but not helping the Hoosiers.

Injuries have kept him off the field this season, and that situation wasn't likely to change.

"He had a lot of injuries that mounted for him," Allen said. "He's an awesome young man. We had a heart to heart about it. He's going to continue to help the program and be with us, but he won't be playing because of the medical situation.

"He'll graduate. He's a guy I have a lot of respect for.

"One of my goals is to help young men find their purpose in life, and pursue it with tremendous passion. He's given a lot to our program. He'll help us any way he can."

Indiana’s Challenge Is Clear – Consistent, Strong Preparation

Players Mentioned

Khalil Bryant

Demarcus Elliott

Ty Fryfogle

Donavan Hale

Peyton Hendershot

Reakwon Jones

Whop Philyor

A’Shon Riggins

Reese Taylor

Nick Westbrook

Indiana University Athletics