Indiana University Athletics
DIPRIMIO NOTEBOOK: It’s ‘Personal’ – Tom Allen Wants a Winning Response
9/17/2019 1:00:00 PM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Concerned? Are you kidding? Indiana head coach Tom Allen has a lot of things to consider in the aftermath of the Ohio State loss, but concern about player leadership isn't one of them.
As the Hoosiers (2-1) prepare to host Connecticut (1-1) on Saturday, Allen's perspective is clear.
"I'm looking forward to how we respond. I'm excited to see what this will make us into."
For Allen it comes down to this -- losing big to a national championship contender can't break the Hoosiers. What happens against Connecticut and Michigan State and the remaining Big Ten gauntlet will determine if this is a special season, or a forgettable one.
"When you have strong leadership, which I believe we do," Allen said during Monday's media gathering, "then adversity only strengthens you. Because it can do one of two things, it can either make you or break you. So I'm looking forward to seeing this team respond, both the coaches and the players."
Ohio State manhandled IU in every key facet of the game during its 51-10 victory, in part because of its dynamic talent and focus, in part because the Hoosiers didn't respond to Buckeye ferocity.
Allen is convinced that was a teaching – not a breaking – point, and that IU's performance the rest of the season will prove it.
"That is what I expect to happen," he said, "but it has to be the case. The leaders have to understand you take it personal -- and I said in the beginning, you work so hard, you invest so much into this that you're ticked, because that's not how we want to play this game, the way that we did. And that's not how we want this team to be known."
Allen and his staff have recruited and coached to build a consistent winner. It starts with having players who care, push and demand the most from each other.
Allen is convinced these Hoosiers will do that.
"When you have that level of care factor with guys, then you see a positive response because the bottom line is that when you're a confident person and you don't do things or things don't go the way you want them to go, you don't hang your head and sulk and start feeling sorry for yourself and start doubting yourself. No, you bow up and fight, and that's what I expect our leaders to do.
"I expect them to address the things that didn't go well and figure out why and then give our guys the support and the resources and the energy that it takes to get them fixed. So I'm looking forward to seeing us respond in the right way."
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IU will face a Connecticut team that opened 2019 with a 24-21 win over Wagner College, then jumped ahead of Illinois 10-0 before losing 31-23. They are coming off a bye week, and have had plenty of time to prepare for the Hoosiers.
They have two running backs who have rushed for more than 100 yards in Kevin Mensah (171 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Art Thompkins (105, 1).
Connecticut figures to start a freshman at quarterback. Jack Zergiotis made his college debut against Illinois and threw for 275 yards with two interceptions.
The Huskies have not thrown a touchdown pass this season.
Allen called Connecticut an "improved team."
"They've got a lot of good length, a lot of good-looking players. They've got a quarterback … who played really well against Illinois. They have two backs that run hard, and big offensive linemen that look a lot like the offenses were used to seeing. Big guys.
"They will be a very well-coached team that will play extremely hard."
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Will quarterback Michael Penix Jr. be healthy enough to play against Connecticut as he wasn't against Ohio State?
For now, nothing is certain.
"I think it's going to be a day-to-day thing this week," Allen said. "I don't foresee it being a day-to-day thing the rest of the season. But for Saturday's game, we definitely aren't going to know for several more days. It probably will eventually be a game-time decision.
"But I don't expect that to keep being the case every week. Hopefully, we get to the point where we'll feel good about it and be able to put it behind us."
Penix started the first two games and completed 63.3 percent of his passes for 523 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for 79 yards.
A key to a fast return, Allen said, is the redshirt freshman's commitment to rehabilitation. That was a big factor in linebacker Cam Jones bouncing back from an injury to play against Ohio State.
"The thing that's the variable in all that -- and this is our challenge to all of our guys -- and Cam Jones is a prime example," Allen said. "He worked his tail off to rehab and get back.
"We tell our guys, 'Hey, you've got to do everything you can, work as hard as you can to be back as soon as you can.'
"(Penix) is a young quarterback and getting him reps is very important. To me it's a matter of if he can go, then he needs to go."
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IU is committed to getting the running game going, something that hasn't happened in the first three contests.
The Hoosiers average 101.3 yards a game, and 3.1 yards a carry. Opponents average 152.7 and 4.1.
Part of the reason for last Saturday's struggles, Allen said, was the quality of Ohio State's run defense.
"It's always been a challenge to run the football against those guys. I think that they felt the last couple years they have not been as good (in stopping the run) as they had been in the past. I thought they really cleaned some things up and were playing the run better this year by making some changes."
Still, Allen wants more physical offensive line play.
"Physicality at the point of attack for the whole group, not necessarily every single person, but as a whole group," he said.
Allen also wants more running plays, period. Tailback Stevie Scott, a thousand-yard rusher last year, had just six carries against Ohio State.
"Sometimes it's just a matter of decision-making wise just to run more," Allen said, "and to be able to get (Scott) more opportunities.
"The bottom line is that physicality and the execution of our assignments has got to continue (to improve). We still need to find creative ways to take the pressure off.
"I think we had nine third-and-longs (against Ohio State), which make it's really difficult to convert. So run the football on first and second down and even having the threat of it on third down does make a difference.
"It's a combination of a lot of things, but it's something that we know is a huge issue and a huge focus, and something that we will work tirelessly on to get fixed."
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IU has only generated two takeaways in three games. Allen wants to get three takeaways a game.
"It's not good enough," he said. "It's not our standard."
Allen demands takeaways, tackling and effort from his defense. So far he's only getting effort.
"Two of those three things aren't getting done. I'm not happy at all. We've got to get it fixed.
"That goes back to just tackling and playing with that swarming confidence mentality.
"I'm frustrated, but you just keep fighting. You just keep working and focusing on technique and doing things the right way."
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While there were no offensive or defensive team awards given after the Ohio State game, there were positives Allen and his staff saw from the guys who didn't play, but who did practice at a high level.
"I want to recognize our young guys who did a great job of working hard and getting us ready," Allen said.
Junior college transfer receiver Christian Harris was named offensive scout team player of the week.
"He's a guy that has a chance to help us in the future," Allen said.
True freshman defensive lineman Beau Robbins was named defensive scout team player of the week.
"He had an excellent week," Allen said. "I really appreciate his effort."
Redshirt freshman defensive back Joseph Daniels Jr. and redshirt junior receiver Justin Berry earned special teams scout teams recognition.
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Former IU kicker Chris Gartner and ex-linebacker Donnie Thomas (posthumously) will be inducted into the IU Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday and will be recognized at halftime of Saturday's game.
Gartner played from 1970-72. Thomas played from 1973-75. Gartner will be an honorary game day captain.
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