Indiana University Athletics
NOTEBOOK: Quest is Clear -- Improve, Focus, Learn
3/22/2019 10:01:00 PM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Substance matters.
Tom Allen coaches to that, and it just might be the final key in lifting Indiana's football program to consistent bowl qualifying status.
Take, for instance, the spring approach.
"We have our three goals," Allen said. "Those don't change.
"To me, it's about, Can you keep doing it over and over again?
"It's just about the constant improvement, the technical focus and learning your assignments. As you are doing that, you continue to play extremely hard.
"My biggest focus is that word right there, focus, because you control your focus and control your effort. I want to see that every day. I want it demanded."
Allen and new defensive coordinator Kane Wommack made that an after-Thursday-practice point of emphasis.
Substance matters.
Shortcuts breed failure.
The Cream & Crimson goal -- to reinforce to players "Effort and the things that they have to do to be able to be a great defense, flying to the ball, pursuing, and when you get there, finishing plays. Those things have to continue on both sides of the football and especially on special teams," Allen said.
While transitioning from spring-break casual to back-to-work intensity, Allen kept football practice off the Tuesday script in favor of weight lifting and team activities.
The result -- Thursday's practice was "very crisp and sharp," Allen said.
"Offensively, we did a lot of good things in both the run game and the pass game. Defensively, we had a lot to install, but I thought the young guys flew around and had a lot of energy. We are just continuing to focus on the process and getting better every day."
TOUGHNESS MATTERS
Offensive line development remains a top priority. Finesse isn't part of the process.
"We showed a lot of physicality up front that we have to have," Allen said. "We've got three guys back (Coy Cronk, Hunter Littlejohn and Simon Stepaniak) that have played a lot of football here and we've got some new guys that we are working in as well.
"The biggest thing is about technique and toughness on the offensive line. That's what our emphasis is going to be.
"We are going to be getting a lot of guys prepared. You have to be able to get in a lot of solid, technical reps in this time of year because you never know what the future is going to hold for that depth. It's a relatively young group overall, but we do have some strong senior leadership."
PRESSURE POINTS
The defensive line aims to dictate to the offense, and that won't come from gentle persuasion. Allen wants to hit hard and often, with as many players as possible, to ensure maximum depth and performance.
"It seems like we are going to have more guys that are going to contribute out of that group in being able to be more physical," Allen said. "I think it's also a confidence piece that needs to keep growing, and when we pressure the quarterback, we've got to get there.
Thursday's live sessions showcased that.
"I thought our offensive line protected well going in some third-down situations," Allen said, "but there were also a few times where we were able to get the pressure we wanted.
"That's what you get in the spring. It goes back-and-forth both sides, but I think the defensive line is learning to pursue the football and burst when the ball comes out of the quarterback's hand. That's something that is never natural. You have to coach it. You have to demand it."
UP AND COMING
Harry Crider continues to make his spring mark.
The 6-4, 311-pound junior offensive lineman has made significant spring impact, and he isn't alone.
"Harry Crider is one of our younger guys that's played in the past, but hasn't played a lot," Allen said. "I saw him do some good things (on Thursday). He needs to continue to improve and get better."
True freshmen offensive linemen Michael Katic and Matthew Bedford, who graduated from high school in December and who enrolled at IU for the second semester, are making a big spring impression.
The 6-4, 312-pound Katic is a top prospect out of Pennsylvania. The 6-6, 284-pound Bedford is a top-80 offensive line prospect out of Tennessee.
"To be thrust in to this element right out of high school, both have done some good things," Allen said. "They are guys that I think have a chance to be involved earlier than you might expect, but they have a long ways to go as well. They've caught my eye on the offensive side of the football."
The same is true for defensive linemen James Head Jr. and Michael Ziemba, Allen added.
The 6-5, 264-pound Head totaled 17 tackles last season as a true freshman. The 6-3, 266-pound Ziemba totaled 10 tackles in his first two seasons as a Hoosier.
"James Head Jr. continues to do some really good things," Allen said. "Michael Ziemba is probably the one that's flashed the most in terms of a guy we need to step up at the defensive end spot. He's always played hard, but just that confidence and execution. I'm starting to see more of that and his athleticism is continuing to grow."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Substance matters.
Tom Allen coaches to that, and it just might be the final key in lifting Indiana's football program to consistent bowl qualifying status.
Take, for instance, the spring approach.
"We have our three goals," Allen said. "Those don't change.
"To me, it's about, Can you keep doing it over and over again?
"It's just about the constant improvement, the technical focus and learning your assignments. As you are doing that, you continue to play extremely hard.
"My biggest focus is that word right there, focus, because you control your focus and control your effort. I want to see that every day. I want it demanded."
Allen and new defensive coordinator Kane Wommack made that an after-Thursday-practice point of emphasis.
Substance matters.
Shortcuts breed failure.
The Cream & Crimson goal -- to reinforce to players "Effort and the things that they have to do to be able to be a great defense, flying to the ball, pursuing, and when you get there, finishing plays. Those things have to continue on both sides of the football and especially on special teams," Allen said.
While transitioning from spring-break casual to back-to-work intensity, Allen kept football practice off the Tuesday script in favor of weight lifting and team activities.
The result -- Thursday's practice was "very crisp and sharp," Allen said.
"Offensively, we did a lot of good things in both the run game and the pass game. Defensively, we had a lot to install, but I thought the young guys flew around and had a lot of energy. We are just continuing to focus on the process and getting better every day."
TOUGHNESS MATTERS
Offensive line development remains a top priority. Finesse isn't part of the process.
"We showed a lot of physicality up front that we have to have," Allen said. "We've got three guys back (Coy Cronk, Hunter Littlejohn and Simon Stepaniak) that have played a lot of football here and we've got some new guys that we are working in as well.
"The biggest thing is about technique and toughness on the offensive line. That's what our emphasis is going to be.
"We are going to be getting a lot of guys prepared. You have to be able to get in a lot of solid, technical reps in this time of year because you never know what the future is going to hold for that depth. It's a relatively young group overall, but we do have some strong senior leadership."
PRESSURE POINTS
The defensive line aims to dictate to the offense, and that won't come from gentle persuasion. Allen wants to hit hard and often, with as many players as possible, to ensure maximum depth and performance.
"It seems like we are going to have more guys that are going to contribute out of that group in being able to be more physical," Allen said. "I think it's also a confidence piece that needs to keep growing, and when we pressure the quarterback, we've got to get there.
Thursday's live sessions showcased that.
"I thought our offensive line protected well going in some third-down situations," Allen said, "but there were also a few times where we were able to get the pressure we wanted.
"That's what you get in the spring. It goes back-and-forth both sides, but I think the defensive line is learning to pursue the football and burst when the ball comes out of the quarterback's hand. That's something that is never natural. You have to coach it. You have to demand it."
UP AND COMING
Harry Crider continues to make his spring mark.
The 6-4, 311-pound junior offensive lineman has made significant spring impact, and he isn't alone.
"Harry Crider is one of our younger guys that's played in the past, but hasn't played a lot," Allen said. "I saw him do some good things (on Thursday). He needs to continue to improve and get better."
True freshmen offensive linemen Michael Katic and Matthew Bedford, who graduated from high school in December and who enrolled at IU for the second semester, are making a big spring impression.
The 6-4, 312-pound Katic is a top prospect out of Pennsylvania. The 6-6, 284-pound Bedford is a top-80 offensive line prospect out of Tennessee.
"To be thrust in to this element right out of high school, both have done some good things," Allen said. "They are guys that I think have a chance to be involved earlier than you might expect, but they have a long ways to go as well. They've caught my eye on the offensive side of the football."
The same is true for defensive linemen James Head Jr. and Michael Ziemba, Allen added.
The 6-5, 264-pound Head totaled 17 tackles last season as a true freshman. The 6-3, 266-pound Ziemba totaled 10 tackles in his first two seasons as a Hoosier.
"James Head Jr. continues to do some really good things," Allen said. "Michael Ziemba is probably the one that's flashed the most in terms of a guy we need to step up at the defensive end spot. He's always played hard, but just that confidence and execution. I'm starting to see more of that and his athleticism is continuing to grow."
Players Mentioned
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