DIPRIMIO NOTEBOOK: Michigan Opportunity Goes Way Beyond the Numbers

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Forget the stats.

Building a program has never really been about numbers or victories or yards thrown or rushed for or even recruiting ratings.

It's about people and relationships and the bond between coach and player, coach and parent, coach and family, player and player.

Tom Allen and his approach are proof of that in this return-to-glory football season.

So as the Hoosiers (7-3) brace for No. 12 Michigan (8-2) Saturday at Memorial Stadium, Allen reflects on the players, on the seniors, on guys he recruited and guys he didn't.

"You've got their son, one of their prized possessions, and how you handle them and build relationships with them," Allen says.

"The players came here to do something, get their degree, play in the Big Ten, do something special, create change.

"They all came here for those reasons, even if I wasn't here back them."

Allen is here now as IU seeks to snap a 23-game losing streak against the Wolverines.

The Hoosiers have been achingly close, including Memorial Stadium overtime losses in 2015 and '17. They lost by 10 points in 2016 and 11 in '18, both at Michigan

But again, the stakes go beyond the numbers.

"It's neat to see the players buy in," Allen says. "It's neat to get to know them and invest in their lives and make an impact in them that goes way beyond what happens on game day.

"That's a big reason why I do what I do. It's about trying to do the best I can to get to know them and help them reach the goals they have for their lives. That's my responsibility to help them achieve and grow."

*****

This is not the same Michigan team from the early part of the season, losing to Wisconsin, nearly losing to Army.

Something happened in the second half against Penn State. The Nittany Lions were holding on at the end.

Since then, the Wolverines have outscored Notre Dame, Maryland and rival Michigan State by a combined 127-31.

Quarterback Shea Patterson threw for 384 yards and four touchdowns against Michigan State.

"They're a completely different team, especially on offense," Allen says. "They're playing with a high level of confidence. They're executing better. Guys are getting open, they're getting the ball to open receivers. They're protecting the ball better. They had issues with that early on. They haven't had issues with that lately.

"They've got a lot of good athletes, good players. It creates a lot of challenges for us."

*****

IU is facing a brutal 1-2 schedule punch with Michigan following the loss at No. 9 Penn State.

Guess what? These Hoosiers are equipped to handle it.

"You talk about the maturity of your team, the mindset you have to have," Allen says. "You play a team that's one of the best in the country, and then you do it again. That's part of being in this conference, this (Big Ten East) division.

"You are a product of the preparation you've created, the habits you've created. Those are kicking in."

*****

Sixteen Hoosier seniors have led a remarkable program resurgence. Specifically, clinching the first winning season since 2007.

Those 16 seniors – cornerbacks Andre Brown Jr. and A-Shon Riggins; safety Khalil Bryant; offensive linemen Coy Cronk, Hunter Littlejohn, DaVondre Love and Simon Stepaniak; defensive ends Allen Stallings IV and Gavin Everett; receivers Justin Berry, Donavan Hale and Nick Westbrook; running back Connor Thomas; linebacker Reakwon Jones; and kickers Logan Justus and Jared Smolar -- will be recognized Saturday.

"They're a special group because of the change they've created here," Allen says. "They were catalysts for change in our leadership, for the way our kids prepared in the offense.

"Several of them came to me after last year and we talked, heart-to-heart, man-to-man, one-on-one. It was neat to see them respond, to continue to believe, to be rewarded for staying with us with the fight and grit they've shown.

"It's not a big group, but a very special group."

*****

C.J. Person had no clue.

Could you blame him?

The 6-3, 297-pound true freshman defensive tackle out of Alabama had barely played this season, and had no expectation to see action at Penn State.

But there he was, on a crucial fourth-down, fourth-quarter play. The Nittany Lions converted that play, and on another one near the goal line a few minutes later to turn a three-point lead into 10, but Person more than held his own.

It was invaluable experience that should benefit the Hoosiers for years to come.

"He's on the sidelines, not expecting to play," Allen says. "What a great reminder, a great teaching moment for our guys to say, You have got to be ready, whether you're third string, fourth string, fifth string, whatever.

"It's fourth and one, we've got to get a stop to give us a chance.

"He's a true freshman who was locked into our walk-throughs, taking care of business in the weight room, being ready."

This is among the ways Allen and his staff develop players, especially the young. It keeps them engaged despite limited minutes because opportunity could come at any time.

Person's upside is obvious. He was an all-state player in talent-rich Alabama, totaling 241 tackles, 75 for loss, and 15.5 sacks at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School. He added nine forced fumbles, two football recoveries and an interception.

He has played against progressively better teams, from Rutgers to Northwestern to Penn State. To preserve his redshirt status, he can only play one more game.

"You might play no snaps," Allen says. "You might play 20. You never know what's going to happen.

"It was great reinforcement. He did a good job. He made some plays."

He will again, perhaps as soon as Saturday.

"I tell our guys all the time, you've got to be ready," Allen says. "Some of them really don't believe it because they never get in. And yet it happened. I guarantee you his sense of urgency, and everybody's, is elevated because of what happened at a critical point of the game."

*****

IU is gunning for the best bowl possible.

Most of that will come down to what happens in the final two games against Michigan and rival Purdue (4-6).

But Hoosier officials also are working behind the scenes to secure a quality post-season destination.

"As a university, we have a proactive approach to help us get the information out to show we would be a good choice," Allen says.

"You've got to prove it on the field. You've got to put yourself in position, but (bowl officials) have a chance to pick who they want to play in these bowls.

"It's building your resume and then being able to market that resume and say, 'We're a team you want; we're going to bring fans; we're going to bring energy and excitement and a certain style of play.'

"I think (the number of fans) is a big variable for these bowls. They want full seats. They want people coming to watch. People in our organization are working on that behind scenes."

*****

Receiver Whop Philyor's status for Saturday is uncertain. He was knocked out of the Penn State game by a couple of helmet-to-helmet hits -- all on the same play.

"There's a process we'll go through throughout the week," Allen says about the medical evaluation. "We'll do a great job of being diligent with that. We'll do what's in his best interests."

As far as the lack of a targeting call on the play, Allen says IU has addressed it with "the appropriate individuals."

"Those conversations have taken place. We're still working through that. We'll go through it the right way and handle it properly."

Indiana University Athletics

DIPRIMIO NOTEBOOK: Michigan Opportunity Goes Way Beyond the Numbers

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Players Mentioned

Justin Berry

Andre Brown Jr.

Khalil Bryant

Coy Cronk

Gavin Everett

Donavan Hale

Reakwon Jones

Logan Justus

Hunter Littlejohn

DaVondre Love

C.J. Person

Whop Philyor

Jared Smolar

Allen Stallings IV

Simon Stepaniak

Connor Thomas

Nick Westbrook

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