Indiana University Athletics
Bucket Battle Looms and Khalil Bryant Is Oh, So Ready
11/29/2019 12:00:00 PM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - It's hot and cold; early and late, and video is on, a laptop in non-stop use.
Once upon a time it was battered projectors, white screens and black-and-white film, but 21st century technology has left a world of information instantly available with a few taps of a keyboard.
Few Hoosiers take better advantage that Khalil Bryant.
Indiana's senior safety watches and learns, again and again, scanning for clues that could wreck an offense, change a game, help deliver an Indiana victory.
Heaven knows Bryant wants that, especially Saturday at Purdue in his final Old Oaken Bucket battle.
"It's been very appealing to see the work I've done pay off," he says.
The Florida native has paid the price -- in the film room, the weight room, the locker room.
He did what needed to be done, and then went beyond that, because he wanted to be a catalyst for change. He's not the only one, of course, in this bowl-making season, but a very valuable one.
Three times this season Bryant has totaled a career-high 10 tackles in a game, including the last two against Penn State and Michigan. His 51 tackles rank second on the team to linebacker Micah McFadden's 52. He's added a fumble recovery.
"I've talked to the team about his production," head coach Tom Allen says. "I told them, if we ran a 40-yard dash, he's not going to win it. He's not going to have the highest vertical.
"He's maximized every ounce of talent that God has given him. In the weight room with how hard he works. He finishes tackles well. He's strong. That helps him get guys on the ground."
Bryant did all this before, but never to this level. It's among the reasons why he received the team's L-E-O (Love Each Other) Award before the Michigan game.
"A big change for me from last year," he says, "is investing more time in the game as far as technique, film study, execution. It's trying to stay a step ahead of my opponent. That was a big concern from last year. To see it pay off feels good."
Bryant's big-play ability surfaced at First Coast High School in Jacksonville. As a senior he had 112 tackles, 17 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and one touchdown. He had 97 tackles as a junior.
Allen had nothing to do with landing Bryant (he committed before Allen arrived in Bloomington) and everything to do with his development.
"He's always been a good tackler," Allen says. "That was one of the qualities.
"He's a student of the game. He's really transformed himself as a player. He cares a bunch. Film preparation. I can't emphasize that enough as part of his effectiveness. He really works hard at it.
"He anticipates well. He's a good, savvy player who understands the game, can see things happening."
Allen sees Bryant and thinks of Chase Dutra, the former Hoosier defensive back who made up in heart, effort and intelligence what he lacked in sheer athleticism.
"Chase was one of those guys who made plays. Other DBs were faster than he was, but he understood angles, understood football, was efficient in how he played.
"(Bryant) doesn't waste a lot of movements. That's big. That allows him to be a guy who doesn't have a ton of length and speed, but is effective.
"We can put him in a spot where he can thrive with those qualities. I'm proud of his preparation and leadership. He does a great job of being ready. Therefore, he's been rewarded by making a lot of plays."
Play making will be critical if Indiana (7-4) is to snap a two-game losing streak, reach eight victories for the first time since 1993, and win the Bucket for the first time in the Allen head-coaching era.
"This is a big-time game," Bryant says. "There's a lot of passion going in. We're trying to get the job done."
Doing so could help Indiana win its upcoming bowl, Bryant adds.
"Momentum plays a very big role as far as our confidence, our mindset. To go in with a win would be a big plus in our agenda."
Coming from Florida left Bryant with no sense of the rivalry.
He soon learned.
"As a freshman I didn't know much about it. Who's Purdue? What's Purdue? But seeing the reaction and the passion people have about this game, it grows year by year. Losing the Bucket these last two years made the passion more fiery. We're very hungry to get the Bucket back."
Fifth-year senior receiver Nick Westbrook, another Florida native who had to learn Bucket importance, put it more emphatically.
"I can't stand not having the Bucket here, not seeing it in the trophy case. I'll do everything in my power to get it back here. This is where it belongs."
Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium, the Hoosiers will get the chance to prove it.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - It's hot and cold; early and late, and video is on, a laptop in non-stop use.
Once upon a time it was battered projectors, white screens and black-and-white film, but 21st century technology has left a world of information instantly available with a few taps of a keyboard.
Few Hoosiers take better advantage that Khalil Bryant.
Indiana's senior safety watches and learns, again and again, scanning for clues that could wreck an offense, change a game, help deliver an Indiana victory.
Heaven knows Bryant wants that, especially Saturday at Purdue in his final Old Oaken Bucket battle.
"It's been very appealing to see the work I've done pay off," he says.
The Florida native has paid the price -- in the film room, the weight room, the locker room.
He did what needed to be done, and then went beyond that, because he wanted to be a catalyst for change. He's not the only one, of course, in this bowl-making season, but a very valuable one.
Three times this season Bryant has totaled a career-high 10 tackles in a game, including the last two against Penn State and Michigan. His 51 tackles rank second on the team to linebacker Micah McFadden's 52. He's added a fumble recovery.
"I've talked to the team about his production," head coach Tom Allen says. "I told them, if we ran a 40-yard dash, he's not going to win it. He's not going to have the highest vertical.
"He's maximized every ounce of talent that God has given him. In the weight room with how hard he works. He finishes tackles well. He's strong. That helps him get guys on the ground."
Bryant did all this before, but never to this level. It's among the reasons why he received the team's L-E-O (Love Each Other) Award before the Michigan game.
"A big change for me from last year," he says, "is investing more time in the game as far as technique, film study, execution. It's trying to stay a step ahead of my opponent. That was a big concern from last year. To see it pay off feels good."
Bryant's big-play ability surfaced at First Coast High School in Jacksonville. As a senior he had 112 tackles, 17 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and one touchdown. He had 97 tackles as a junior.
Allen had nothing to do with landing Bryant (he committed before Allen arrived in Bloomington) and everything to do with his development.
"He's always been a good tackler," Allen says. "That was one of the qualities.
"He's a student of the game. He's really transformed himself as a player. He cares a bunch. Film preparation. I can't emphasize that enough as part of his effectiveness. He really works hard at it.
"He anticipates well. He's a good, savvy player who understands the game, can see things happening."
Allen sees Bryant and thinks of Chase Dutra, the former Hoosier defensive back who made up in heart, effort and intelligence what he lacked in sheer athleticism.
"Chase was one of those guys who made plays. Other DBs were faster than he was, but he understood angles, understood football, was efficient in how he played.
"(Bryant) doesn't waste a lot of movements. That's big. That allows him to be a guy who doesn't have a ton of length and speed, but is effective.
"We can put him in a spot where he can thrive with those qualities. I'm proud of his preparation and leadership. He does a great job of being ready. Therefore, he's been rewarded by making a lot of plays."
Play making will be critical if Indiana (7-4) is to snap a two-game losing streak, reach eight victories for the first time since 1993, and win the Bucket for the first time in the Allen head-coaching era.
"This is a big-time game," Bryant says. "There's a lot of passion going in. We're trying to get the job done."
Doing so could help Indiana win its upcoming bowl, Bryant adds.
"Momentum plays a very big role as far as our confidence, our mindset. To go in with a win would be a big plus in our agenda."
Coming from Florida left Bryant with no sense of the rivalry.
He soon learned.
"As a freshman I didn't know much about it. Who's Purdue? What's Purdue? But seeing the reaction and the passion people have about this game, it grows year by year. Losing the Bucket these last two years made the passion more fiery. We're very hungry to get the Bucket back."
Fifth-year senior receiver Nick Westbrook, another Florida native who had to learn Bucket importance, put it more emphatically.
"I can't stand not having the Bucket here, not seeing it in the trophy case. I'll do everything in my power to get it back here. This is where it belongs."
Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium, the Hoosiers will get the chance to prove it.
Players Mentioned
FB: Week 10 (at Maryland) - Curt Cignetti Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, November 01
FB: Inside IU Football with Curt Cignetti - Week 10 (at Maryland)
Thursday, October 30
FB: Under the Hood with Indiana Football - Week 10 (at Maryland)
Wednesday, October 29
FB: Kaelon Black Media Availability (10/28/25)
Tuesday, October 28