Indiana University Athletics
Media Monday: Idle Week
10/4/2021 1:22:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana head football coach Tom Allen addressed the media on Monday (Oct. 4) as the program enters its bye week in front of a matchup with No. 11/11 Michigan State on Saturday, Oct. 16.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the full media session can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Tom Allen | Head Coach
Opening Statement
TA: Good morning. I appreciate everyone joining us today. Just wanted to give an update on Michael Penix Jr. and start by saying that he does have an AC (acromioclavicular) separation in his left shoulder, so he will be rehabbing that and will be week-to-week.
Also, just wanted to update, as well, that Tim Baldwin Jr. has chosen to enter the transfer portal and will no longer be with our football team.
Also, want to say that I am really proud of our football team for their fight in the game on Saturday night. Not the outcome that we expected or wanted but loved the toughness of this team. We are going to stay together and fight together and finish together.
Really proud of our scouts as they performed throughout this week and wanted to recognize those guys. Cooper Jones was defense scout team player of the week, Sam Daugstrup and Trey Walker were offensive scout team players of the week, and Nicholas Grieser was special teams scout team player of the week.
Our team continues to work really hard each and every day and that will continue. This is a very important week here for us to have a bye and to get healthy. We have several guys that need this week to be able to rehab and get themselves physically back where they want to be. Looking forward to us being able to focus on that, as well as fundamentally and technically improving as a football team.
On if it is a rest and rehab scenario for Michael Penix Jr.'s injury...
TA: That is correct. Surgery is not necessary at this point, so the rehab process has already begun, and he will be working through that on a daily basis.
On Jack Tuttle's progression from 2020 to 2021...
TA: Very confident in Jack. I think I mentioned, even in the preseason, that I felt we had two proven starters [at quarterback] on this team. As you saw him come in the game on Saturday, he is very decisive in his decision making - both to throw and to run. Just his maturity over time and the experience he got last year, being able to lead us on the road at Wisconsin and then to show a tremendous amount of toughness to play through an injury in the bowl game. Just his growth as a player, as a leader, he is highly respected by his teammates and brings an energy, as well, that you can see. I thought he gave us a spark, even Saturday [at Penn State]. Absolute confidence in him and have always felt that way. He is ready to go and was ready when called upon, which is a unique quality that he has to stay focused and locked in and always be ready, even though he knows he may play one snap, no snaps or 80 snaps when he steps into the back-up role each week.
On if Donaven McCulley moves into the back-up role...
TA: No question and no doubt, [Donaven] will be increasing his role in practice. He has already been heavily involved, I'd say, throughout this whole process and he has been getting quite a few snaps and that will increase for sure. Obviously, moving forward, he would be the No. 2 guy, with Jack as the starter.
Bottom line is that Donaven McCulley is a very gifted athlete and a very good quarterback. Excited for him and his opportunity to continue to grow and develop as a player. I have been very impressed with what I have seen so far in both his attitude and his leadership, as well as his ability to learn our system. So, yeah, his role will definitely increase.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the full media session can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Tom Allen | Head Coach
Opening Statement
TA: Good morning. I appreciate everyone joining us today. Just wanted to give an update on Michael Penix Jr. and start by saying that he does have an AC (acromioclavicular) separation in his left shoulder, so he will be rehabbing that and will be week-to-week.
Also, just wanted to update, as well, that Tim Baldwin Jr. has chosen to enter the transfer portal and will no longer be with our football team.
Also, want to say that I am really proud of our football team for their fight in the game on Saturday night. Not the outcome that we expected or wanted but loved the toughness of this team. We are going to stay together and fight together and finish together.
Really proud of our scouts as they performed throughout this week and wanted to recognize those guys. Cooper Jones was defense scout team player of the week, Sam Daugstrup and Trey Walker were offensive scout team players of the week, and Nicholas Grieser was special teams scout team player of the week.
Our team continues to work really hard each and every day and that will continue. This is a very important week here for us to have a bye and to get healthy. We have several guys that need this week to be able to rehab and get themselves physically back where they want to be. Looking forward to us being able to focus on that, as well as fundamentally and technically improving as a football team.
On if it is a rest and rehab scenario for Michael Penix Jr.'s injury...
TA: That is correct. Surgery is not necessary at this point, so the rehab process has already begun, and he will be working through that on a daily basis.
On Jack Tuttle's progression from 2020 to 2021...
TA: Very confident in Jack. I think I mentioned, even in the preseason, that I felt we had two proven starters [at quarterback] on this team. As you saw him come in the game on Saturday, he is very decisive in his decision making - both to throw and to run. Just his maturity over time and the experience he got last year, being able to lead us on the road at Wisconsin and then to show a tremendous amount of toughness to play through an injury in the bowl game. Just his growth as a player, as a leader, he is highly respected by his teammates and brings an energy, as well, that you can see. I thought he gave us a spark, even Saturday [at Penn State]. Absolute confidence in him and have always felt that way. He is ready to go and was ready when called upon, which is a unique quality that he has to stay focused and locked in and always be ready, even though he knows he may play one snap, no snaps or 80 snaps when he steps into the back-up role each week.
On if Donaven McCulley moves into the back-up role...
TA: No question and no doubt, [Donaven] will be increasing his role in practice. He has already been heavily involved, I'd say, throughout this whole process and he has been getting quite a few snaps and that will increase for sure. Obviously, moving forward, he would be the No. 2 guy, with Jack as the starter.
Bottom line is that Donaven McCulley is a very gifted athlete and a very good quarterback. Excited for him and his opportunity to continue to grow and develop as a player. I have been very impressed with what I have seen so far in both his attitude and his leadership, as well as his ability to learn our system. So, yeah, his role will definitely increase.
Players Mentioned
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TE
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