Indiana University Athletics
NOTEBOOK: No. 5 Ohio State Up Next for Hard-Swinging Hoosiers
10/19/2021 10:35:00 AM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Concede?
Not a chance. Not in a Tom Allen-coached program.
Buckle against the frustration from a 2-4 start?
You won't see it from this veteran Indiana team.
"Our guys have got a ton of grit," Allen says during Monday's weekly press conference. "Grit is perseverance and passion towards a long-term goal.
"It's going to take a lot of that for this team to be able to stay together, keep fighting, playing our best each week."
The Hoosiers will need their best Saturday night at Memorial Stadium against No. 5 Ohio State (5-1), and then the rest of a grueling schedule. Four victories in the final six games will make them bowl eligible for the third-straight season, and to get there Allen says, it starts with this.
"We're swinging hard. This team believes in what we're doing. There's a lot of toughness and character in that locker room. Yeah, they're hurting after (Saturday's 20-15 loss to Top-10 Michigan State), as well as myself and the whole coaching staff."
Hurting doesn't mean giving in.
"There's a toughness to this group," Allen says. "It's got to start with us as leaders.
"Yeah, it's hard, there's no doubt about it. Not what any of us expected or wanted. You find yourself in it, what are you going to do? That's where you keep on swinging. As you're swinging, you got to make adjustments, you got to go through and get things corrected and fixed, not just keep doing the same old thing."
Allen says he met with all the key leaders after Saturday's game. He talked to them "one on one" and got "in their heads."
IU has switched the practice schedule, making Monday the day off rather than Sunday. It helped, Allen says
"I need to be with this team the day after these close losses as they continue to put us in a tough spot. Just to be able to be in front of them, I think that's been critical, very important.
"I've loved the way our guys have responded. Even when they come in feeling a certain way in the early afternoon, I want them to leave when we're done at seven o'clock that their mindset is where it needs to be. We had a chance to be with them, we lifted, were on the field and in meetings. Just got to pray for wisdom to be able to know how to say things to them to be able to."
IU's four losses have come against four Top-10 teams -- two at home, two on the road.
Still …
"This is tough," Allen says
"Even when you fall short, you have to keep persevering, fighting, working together, staying together, keep believing, and just stay the course. That's what we're going to do. To me you don't blink. We talk about it all the time. Earmuffs and blinders. You have to have them on heavily at this time and do not blink."
*****
Since a home loss to Oregon, the Buckeyes have been as dominant a team as there is in college football.
In its last three games, Ohio State has scored 59, 52 and 66 points. In its last four games, it has won by 21, 52, 39, and 49 points.
The Buckeyes come out strong, outscoring opponents 62-19 in the first quarter. They average 48.5 points, allow 20.5. They run for 211 yards a game, throw for 352.2. Their 20 sacks have cost opponents 157 yards.
First-year quarterback CJ Stroud completes 66.2 percent of his passes for 1,699 yards, 18 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Running back TreVeyon Henderson has rushed for 605 yards (averaging 8.8 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns. He's also caught seven passes for 154 yards and two TDs.
Ohio State has a dominating trio of receivers in Garrett Wilson (31 catches, 546 yards, 6 TDs), Chris Olave (30, 494, 7) and Jaxon Smith-Njibga (23, 452, 3).
"Ohio State creates a lot of issues," Allen says. "They're so explosive. Their receiver core is different than you usually will see. They have three receivers that are as good as anybody you're going to face in the country. So that puts a lot of stress on you. Talented quarterback and talented running backs, as well.
"Not allowing those explosive pass plays to me is really (going to be key). They just get guys so wide open. It's tough and puts a ton of stress on you.
"Obviously, you have to stop the run, there's no doubt about that. Just giving (explosive plays) up, that's where they can really pile it on, score fast, and make it difficult on you.
"That core concept of pressuring the quarterback, being able to do things there with stressing him out mentally and physically is going to be key."
*****
Forget redshirting true freshman quarterback Donaven McCulley.
IU coaches certainly have.
Redshirt plans were scrapped when starter Michael Penix Jr. suffered a shoulder injury at Penn State. The left the Hoosiers with just one veteran quarterback in Jack Tuttle.
McCulley, a four-star dual-threat prospect out of Indianapolis, moved into the backup role. He saw limited action against Michigan State (rushing twice for eight yards and throwing a backward lateral in his college debut), but will see more moving forward.
"When Michael went down," Allen says, "we had to make the decision that (McCulley is) going to have to go. The thought was to use those four games (freshman can play as many as four games in a season and still redshirt) in a judicious way. Now he's the No. 2 guy, training to be the next guy in.
"Expect to see him more. I thought we might use him a little bit more Saturday. I wanted to see us do that, and we will. Obviously, that was his first time ever playing in a college game. He did some good things. Just have to get him to be able to get out there and play football. Very talented guy.
"We have to maximize our roster. To me he's one of the guys that can make plays with the ball in his hands."
Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan plans to make sure McCulley gets a chance to make plays.
"I think he's a talented passer," Sheridan says. "He's a little inconsistent. We're working on that each and every day. ... He is a talented kid. He has a strong arm. He is accurate. It's just making sure that he feels comfortable in those moments, on a lot of things. The protection, the read, the throw, etc. He's making progress every day and I think the sky's the limit for him."
*****
Saturday showcased expanded roles for walk-on running backs Chris Childers and Davion Ervin-Poindexter.
Evrin-Poindexter rushed five times for 40 yards. Childers ran five times for 33 yards.
"They made some plays," Allen says. "Both had some solid runs. Opportunity has been presented to those guys, and they've done some good things.
"They have been getting better, working, executing. They have to be able to pass protect, be able to catch the ball, run the ball, read their keys."
Childers has 70 rushing yards for the season. Ervin-Poindexter has 97 with a touchdown.
"Chris has done a good job of reading the keys," Allen says. "Davion at times has hit some good ones. He gets a little bouncy. He needs to stick to the reads."
Also in the mix behind starter Stephen Carr are David Holloman, Trent Howland and Charlie Spegal.
"We still need some other young guys to continue to be brought along, whether it's David and Trent," Allen says. "Those guys continue to work with the ones and twos. Keep rotating them in. Let them develop."
*****
When it comes to stepping up, few did it better last Saturday than cornerback Noah Pierre and safety Josh Sanguinetti. They both had interceptions while helping to fill the void from injured starters Tiawan Mullen (an All-America cornerback) and Reese Taylor (also a cornerback standout).
"Noah Pierre really sticks out to me," Allen says. "I mentioned him (on Sunday to the team) -- nine tackles, huge interception at the end. No question they were going after him. So proud of him. A few weeks ago, he was playing a different position. He has played multiple positions in our secondary and third-down package.
"Just a tough, hard-nosed kid we loved when we saw him out of high school and thought he was a competitive guy. Knew he was a little undersized, but loved his heart, loved his passion and the way he played the game, how physical he played. Just thought he was always a competitor. That's proven to be true.
"He did a heck of a job for us. Made plays for us the previous week and this week when he was called upon."
As for Sanguinetti, Allen says, "He's showing up all over the place and in different situations. Got a huge pick.
"We needed them (Pierre and Sanguinetti). He had to play early in the season and now he's playing a more expanded role on third downs, and we are moving him around. He is learning different things and trying to make adjustments."
*****
IU had a chance for a 17-17 tie late in Saturday's loss, but missed the two-point conversion attempt off a shovel pass to tight end Peyton Hendershot.
"Peyton is a guy we're trying to find a way to get involved, get him the ball," Allen says. "He's a big guy, can lean forward, get tough yards. We don't have a lot of big, big backs.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Concede?
Not a chance. Not in a Tom Allen-coached program.
Buckle against the frustration from a 2-4 start?
You won't see it from this veteran Indiana team.
"Our guys have got a ton of grit," Allen says during Monday's weekly press conference. "Grit is perseverance and passion towards a long-term goal.
"It's going to take a lot of that for this team to be able to stay together, keep fighting, playing our best each week."
The Hoosiers will need their best Saturday night at Memorial Stadium against No. 5 Ohio State (5-1), and then the rest of a grueling schedule. Four victories in the final six games will make them bowl eligible for the third-straight season, and to get there Allen says, it starts with this.
"We're swinging hard. This team believes in what we're doing. There's a lot of toughness and character in that locker room. Yeah, they're hurting after (Saturday's 20-15 loss to Top-10 Michigan State), as well as myself and the whole coaching staff."
Hurting doesn't mean giving in.
"There's a toughness to this group," Allen says. "It's got to start with us as leaders.
"Yeah, it's hard, there's no doubt about it. Not what any of us expected or wanted. You find yourself in it, what are you going to do? That's where you keep on swinging. As you're swinging, you got to make adjustments, you got to go through and get things corrected and fixed, not just keep doing the same old thing."
Allen says he met with all the key leaders after Saturday's game. He talked to them "one on one" and got "in their heads."
IU has switched the practice schedule, making Monday the day off rather than Sunday. It helped, Allen says
"I need to be with this team the day after these close losses as they continue to put us in a tough spot. Just to be able to be in front of them, I think that's been critical, very important.
"I've loved the way our guys have responded. Even when they come in feeling a certain way in the early afternoon, I want them to leave when we're done at seven o'clock that their mindset is where it needs to be. We had a chance to be with them, we lifted, were on the field and in meetings. Just got to pray for wisdom to be able to know how to say things to them to be able to."
IU's four losses have come against four Top-10 teams -- two at home, two on the road.
Still …
"This is tough," Allen says
"Even when you fall short, you have to keep persevering, fighting, working together, staying together, keep believing, and just stay the course. That's what we're going to do. To me you don't blink. We talk about it all the time. Earmuffs and blinders. You have to have them on heavily at this time and do not blink."
*****
Since a home loss to Oregon, the Buckeyes have been as dominant a team as there is in college football.
In its last three games, Ohio State has scored 59, 52 and 66 points. In its last four games, it has won by 21, 52, 39, and 49 points.
The Buckeyes come out strong, outscoring opponents 62-19 in the first quarter. They average 48.5 points, allow 20.5. They run for 211 yards a game, throw for 352.2. Their 20 sacks have cost opponents 157 yards.
First-year quarterback CJ Stroud completes 66.2 percent of his passes for 1,699 yards, 18 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Running back TreVeyon Henderson has rushed for 605 yards (averaging 8.8 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns. He's also caught seven passes for 154 yards and two TDs.
Ohio State has a dominating trio of receivers in Garrett Wilson (31 catches, 546 yards, 6 TDs), Chris Olave (30, 494, 7) and Jaxon Smith-Njibga (23, 452, 3).
"Ohio State creates a lot of issues," Allen says. "They're so explosive. Their receiver core is different than you usually will see. They have three receivers that are as good as anybody you're going to face in the country. So that puts a lot of stress on you. Talented quarterback and talented running backs, as well.
"Not allowing those explosive pass plays to me is really (going to be key). They just get guys so wide open. It's tough and puts a ton of stress on you.
"Obviously, you have to stop the run, there's no doubt about that. Just giving (explosive plays) up, that's where they can really pile it on, score fast, and make it difficult on you.
"That core concept of pressuring the quarterback, being able to do things there with stressing him out mentally and physically is going to be key."
*****
Forget redshirting true freshman quarterback Donaven McCulley.
IU coaches certainly have.
Redshirt plans were scrapped when starter Michael Penix Jr. suffered a shoulder injury at Penn State. The left the Hoosiers with just one veteran quarterback in Jack Tuttle.
McCulley, a four-star dual-threat prospect out of Indianapolis, moved into the backup role. He saw limited action against Michigan State (rushing twice for eight yards and throwing a backward lateral in his college debut), but will see more moving forward.
"When Michael went down," Allen says, "we had to make the decision that (McCulley is) going to have to go. The thought was to use those four games (freshman can play as many as four games in a season and still redshirt) in a judicious way. Now he's the No. 2 guy, training to be the next guy in.
"Expect to see him more. I thought we might use him a little bit more Saturday. I wanted to see us do that, and we will. Obviously, that was his first time ever playing in a college game. He did some good things. Just have to get him to be able to get out there and play football. Very talented guy.
"We have to maximize our roster. To me he's one of the guys that can make plays with the ball in his hands."
Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan plans to make sure McCulley gets a chance to make plays.
"I think he's a talented passer," Sheridan says. "He's a little inconsistent. We're working on that each and every day. ... He is a talented kid. He has a strong arm. He is accurate. It's just making sure that he feels comfortable in those moments, on a lot of things. The protection, the read, the throw, etc. He's making progress every day and I think the sky's the limit for him."
*****
Saturday showcased expanded roles for walk-on running backs Chris Childers and Davion Ervin-Poindexter.
Evrin-Poindexter rushed five times for 40 yards. Childers ran five times for 33 yards.
"They made some plays," Allen says. "Both had some solid runs. Opportunity has been presented to those guys, and they've done some good things.
"They have been getting better, working, executing. They have to be able to pass protect, be able to catch the ball, run the ball, read their keys."
Childers has 70 rushing yards for the season. Ervin-Poindexter has 97 with a touchdown.
"Chris has done a good job of reading the keys," Allen says. "Davion at times has hit some good ones. He gets a little bouncy. He needs to stick to the reads."
Also in the mix behind starter Stephen Carr are David Holloman, Trent Howland and Charlie Spegal.
"We still need some other young guys to continue to be brought along, whether it's David and Trent," Allen says. "Those guys continue to work with the ones and twos. Keep rotating them in. Let them develop."
*****
When it comes to stepping up, few did it better last Saturday than cornerback Noah Pierre and safety Josh Sanguinetti. They both had interceptions while helping to fill the void from injured starters Tiawan Mullen (an All-America cornerback) and Reese Taylor (also a cornerback standout).
"Noah Pierre really sticks out to me," Allen says. "I mentioned him (on Sunday to the team) -- nine tackles, huge interception at the end. No question they were going after him. So proud of him. A few weeks ago, he was playing a different position. He has played multiple positions in our secondary and third-down package.
"Just a tough, hard-nosed kid we loved when we saw him out of high school and thought he was a competitive guy. Knew he was a little undersized, but loved his heart, loved his passion and the way he played the game, how physical he played. Just thought he was always a competitor. That's proven to be true.
"He did a heck of a job for us. Made plays for us the previous week and this week when he was called upon."
As for Sanguinetti, Allen says, "He's showing up all over the place and in different situations. Got a huge pick.
"We needed them (Pierre and Sanguinetti). He had to play early in the season and now he's playing a more expanded role on third downs, and we are moving him around. He is learning different things and trying to make adjustments."
*****
IU had a chance for a 17-17 tie late in Saturday's loss, but missed the two-point conversion attempt off a shovel pass to tight end Peyton Hendershot.
"Peyton is a guy we're trying to find a way to get involved, get him the ball," Allen says. "He's a big guy, can lean forward, get tough yards. We don't have a lot of big, big backs.
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