Media Thursday: Northwestern Week

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana will host the Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday, Nov. 2, in the first November night game in the history of Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m. EDT. The game will be televised on FS1.

Head coach Tom Allen met with the media on Thursday. Below is a partial transcript:

Opening Statement…
"Little chillier out there today, but it was great to be outside and to get a really good practice in with the weather conditions. That's part of this time of year. Thought our guys had great focus and really good work in the weight room, on the practice field and in the meeting rooms. Michael (Penix Jr.) did practice this week, so he'll be a game-time decision, but I think the rest of the guys are in pretty good shape."

On practicing outside in the elements…
"I think it is, just moving forward and realizing the time of year it is and basically the reality that you're going to have some cold-weather games. It could be raining a little bit or even snowing this time of year. It's Big Ten football, so you have to be ready for it. I like to be in it. We try to balance that out as best we can. There's a balance between getting quality reps, but also realizing if you play in it, you have to be able to practice in it. That's our philosophy."

On playing through the elements…
"I think you just have to deal with them. It is part of being able to adapt to this part of the country. A lot of our guys have goals and dreams of playing on Sundays as well, and you will be playing in these conditions in the NFL. That is part of being nan elite player. You have to adapt to it, adjusting, and knowing how to dress – not putting too much stuff on, but also not putting too little on. It will be important to catch the football whether it is raining, sleeting, snowing, or whatever the weather is, and protecting it. That obviously becomes a variable, but at any level it is like that. You want to get used to it, but you also want it to be a non-issue. That is the key. You just do what you do. Even the wind can be a variable this time of year. It is just part of understanding that. Special teams as well, handling punts, getting the snaps, and all those things that go into handling the football. We wanted to get into it as much as we could to get a lot of reps."

On playing at night…
"Our kids love it. They were so excited when we got that news. It just has a different feel. For me, being a former high school coach, Friday night football is when you always played. When I first started coaching in college, it was weird playing during the day. I was not used to that. The kids love it and it is a great environment. It adds a little extra juice to the event. We are excited. We are really looking forward to our fans embracing it, coming out, and supporting us. We want everyone to come and cheer on the Hoosiers and give everything they have to help our team continue to do something special."

On the players enjoying practice in spite of the conditions…
"You know, it is just being together. They are just running around and being kids, not grownups yet. It is still a game. Just enjoying being out there with each other and the energy. You can tell when a guy is really dreading it, but no, not with these guys. It was a group effort and it was that way the whole time, coaches too. They follow our lead. It is a different hop in the step when things are going the way they are right now."

Indiana University Athletics

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