Indiana University Athletics
Allen Issues Challenge To No. 12 Hoosiers – ‘Respond’
11/27/2020 12:47:00 PM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – There's no shaken confidence in Indiana football circles.
Not from quarterback Michael Penix Jr., not from head coach Tom Allen, not from anyone in the program.
Yes, No. 3 Ohio State knocked the Hoosiers (4-1) from the unbeaten ranks, and from No. 9 to No. 12 in the national polls, but not from the chance to finish a season to remember.
The rebound starts with Maryland (2-1) on Saturday, then a trip to No. 16 Wisconsin (2-1), and then a regular-season wrap up with rival Purdue (2-2).
Allen sums it up with the program word of the week – "Respond."
"This team has got a chance to be really special," Allen says. "I'm anxious to see, excited to see our team responds.
"That is what this is about. That is what life is about -- how we respond to the things that we are presented, both the good and the bad. That is what great teams do, they respond. I am looking forward to seeing our players do that on Saturday."
Penix, as you might expect, leads the way.
"He has had a great week of preparation," Allen says. "I love the way he is maturing in that area and the way he handles himself, the way he has practiced. That, to me, is the strongest thing you can do as a leader, that your actions show the way to respond and the way that you are locked in.
"It's in the meetings where you are locked in, during practice where you are locked in, during walk-throughs. That is what leaders have to do."
Penix has always led beyond his experience, has always shown the maturity and discipline to take talent to the highest levels. He isn't there yet, of course, but he's taking the necessary steps, Allen says.
"I see him continually growing in regards to calling guys out, lining guys up and telling them what to do. That is part of being the leader of the offense. He has done a really good job of that this week.
"Setbacks are a part of life and you have to learn how to respond the right way when things do not go your way. He played at a really high level on Saturday (491 passing yards, 5 touchdowns), but we as a team did not play four quarters of our best football, and that is what we have to do."
Penix isn't the only Hoosier with leadership responsibility. Allen says it also falls to the other team captains -- center Harry Crider, linebackers Micah McFadden and Cam Jones, and even injured husky Marcelino Ball.
"That is what we expect from our captains," Allen says. "That is what we expect from our leadership."
IU has won four of the six meetings with Maryland since the Terrapins joined the Big Ten, but it hasn't been from dominant defense.
Maryland has scored at least 28 points in every game, with a high of 42 with its 2017 victory.
The Hoosiers have won the last two meetings by scores of 34-28 and 34-32.
Yes, Allen has noticed.
"They do a tremendous job with recruiting really good athletes," he says. "They've got a lot of speed. They always have ever since we played them.
"They put them in space. They put them in different positions to get them the football, even on special teams."
It's what 21st Century offenses do -- put fast players in space and dare you to keep up.
"Guys have got to rally to the football," Allen says. "Guys have got to make plays in space.
"It just puts stress on you. It creates more one-on-one situations because of the ability to spread you out and get those guys to the ball in those positions. That has been a big part of it."
The last four meetings have been decided by six or fewer points. Allen expects similar drama on Saturday.
"It has been a one-possession game every time I have been here. They have a lot of good players."
A COVID-19 outbreak affected 23 Maryland players, forced the program to suspend practice for 12 days and cancel two games. The Terrapins, who haven't played since a Nov. 7 win over Penn State, resumed normal football activities this week.
They bounced back from a 43-3 loss to Northwestern by beating Minnesota and Penn State.
Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa is the catalyst. The younger brother of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has thrown for 676 yards in his last two games. He completed 67.4 percent of his passes. He has rushed for 56 yards in 18 carries, including a 39-yard effort against Minnesota.
Running back Jake Funk ranks second nationally in yards per carry (7.81) and second in the Big Ten in rushing yards per game (112).
At receiver, Rakim Jarrett ripped Penn State with five catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Dontay Demus has a team-leading 228 receiving yards. Jeshaun Jones has a 76-yard reception.
Defensively, linebacker Chance Campbell sets the tone with 34 tackles, 4.5 for loss.
"They are playing with a ton of confidence," Allen says. "It's the best football they've played in a long time. We expect to see that (on Saturday)."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – There's no shaken confidence in Indiana football circles.
Not from quarterback Michael Penix Jr., not from head coach Tom Allen, not from anyone in the program.
Yes, No. 3 Ohio State knocked the Hoosiers (4-1) from the unbeaten ranks, and from No. 9 to No. 12 in the national polls, but not from the chance to finish a season to remember.
The rebound starts with Maryland (2-1) on Saturday, then a trip to No. 16 Wisconsin (2-1), and then a regular-season wrap up with rival Purdue (2-2).
Allen sums it up with the program word of the week – "Respond."
"This team has got a chance to be really special," Allen says. "I'm anxious to see, excited to see our team responds.
"That is what this is about. That is what life is about -- how we respond to the things that we are presented, both the good and the bad. That is what great teams do, they respond. I am looking forward to seeing our players do that on Saturday."
Penix, as you might expect, leads the way.
"He has had a great week of preparation," Allen says. "I love the way he is maturing in that area and the way he handles himself, the way he has practiced. That, to me, is the strongest thing you can do as a leader, that your actions show the way to respond and the way that you are locked in.
"It's in the meetings where you are locked in, during practice where you are locked in, during walk-throughs. That is what leaders have to do."
Penix has always led beyond his experience, has always shown the maturity and discipline to take talent to the highest levels. He isn't there yet, of course, but he's taking the necessary steps, Allen says.
"I see him continually growing in regards to calling guys out, lining guys up and telling them what to do. That is part of being the leader of the offense. He has done a really good job of that this week.
"Setbacks are a part of life and you have to learn how to respond the right way when things do not go your way. He played at a really high level on Saturday (491 passing yards, 5 touchdowns), but we as a team did not play four quarters of our best football, and that is what we have to do."
Penix isn't the only Hoosier with leadership responsibility. Allen says it also falls to the other team captains -- center Harry Crider, linebackers Micah McFadden and Cam Jones, and even injured husky Marcelino Ball.
"That is what we expect from our captains," Allen says. "That is what we expect from our leadership."
IU has won four of the six meetings with Maryland since the Terrapins joined the Big Ten, but it hasn't been from dominant defense.
Maryland has scored at least 28 points in every game, with a high of 42 with its 2017 victory.
The Hoosiers have won the last two meetings by scores of 34-28 and 34-32.
Yes, Allen has noticed.
"They do a tremendous job with recruiting really good athletes," he says. "They've got a lot of speed. They always have ever since we played them.
"They put them in space. They put them in different positions to get them the football, even on special teams."
It's what 21st Century offenses do -- put fast players in space and dare you to keep up.
"Guys have got to rally to the football," Allen says. "Guys have got to make plays in space.
"It just puts stress on you. It creates more one-on-one situations because of the ability to spread you out and get those guys to the ball in those positions. That has been a big part of it."
The last four meetings have been decided by six or fewer points. Allen expects similar drama on Saturday.
"It has been a one-possession game every time I have been here. They have a lot of good players."
A COVID-19 outbreak affected 23 Maryland players, forced the program to suspend practice for 12 days and cancel two games. The Terrapins, who haven't played since a Nov. 7 win over Penn State, resumed normal football activities this week.
They bounced back from a 43-3 loss to Northwestern by beating Minnesota and Penn State.
Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa is the catalyst. The younger brother of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has thrown for 676 yards in his last two games. He completed 67.4 percent of his passes. He has rushed for 56 yards in 18 carries, including a 39-yard effort against Minnesota.
Running back Jake Funk ranks second nationally in yards per carry (7.81) and second in the Big Ten in rushing yards per game (112).
At receiver, Rakim Jarrett ripped Penn State with five catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Dontay Demus has a team-leading 228 receiving yards. Jeshaun Jones has a 76-yard reception.
Defensively, linebacker Chance Campbell sets the tone with 34 tackles, 4.5 for loss.
"They are playing with a ton of confidence," Allen says. "It's the best football they've played in a long time. We expect to see that (on Saturday)."
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