Notebook: IU’s Focus is Clear – ‘Beat Purdue’
11/23/2021 9:00:00 AM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - "Beat Purdue!"
That was Tom Allen's final press conference message in the aftermath of Saturday's Minnesota loss.
"Beat Purdue."
It dominated Sunday's practice, resonated during Monday's media session, and will highlight every team function until Saturday's Old Oaken Bucket showdown in West Lafayette.
"This is a huge week for our program, our players, our fans and our state," Allen said.
Purdue week arrives without an Indiana bowl opportunity. That's an unwanted first under Allen as the head coach, and while that reality won't change no matter Saturday's outcome, one thing remains clear:
The Hoosiers (2-9) aim to retain the Bucket for a third-straight season.
"We'll do everything we can to keep the Bucket," Allen said.
IU seeks to snap a seven-game losing streak by beating a 7-4 Purdue team that has clinched a bowl bid.
"We've got to finish strong," Allen said. "We've got one more week together for the 2021 season. It's been very challenging.
"At the same time, it's been a special group of guys. I appreciate all of them, love them.
"(Beating Purdue) is the focus of everything we do this week."
*****
Could walk-on quarterback Grant Gremel get his first career start on Saturday?
Stay tuned.
The redshirt sophomore has played his way into contention with true freshman Donaven McCulley, huge for a guy who began the season fourth on the depth chart behind veterans Michael Penix Jr. and Jack Tuttle, and McCulley.
How did the 6-3, 200-pound Gremel get to this point after a solid, but unspectacular career at Noblesville High School outside of Indianapolis?
"His high school coach, other coaches from that area, other individuals who worked with him as a quarterback, recommended him to us," Allen said.
IU had three walk-on quarterbacks for the 2019 season and Gremel was not the best of them.
At least, not at first.
"He evolved," Allen said. "Of the walk-ons we've had here, he might have improved the most. He really bought in.
"He's just a tough kid, works hard, his attention to detail. He's very smart. He does everything right.
"He's gotten better every week, every year, with his reads, his understanding of the offense. He's very calm and poised, and does his job."
This season Gremel completes 50 percent of his passes for 122 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. He's rushed three times for 17 yards.
McCulley completes 42.7 percent of his passes for 465 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. He's rushed 64 times for 137 yards (a 2.1-yard-per-carry average) and one touchdown.
"He's excited about the opportunity he's been given," Allen said of Gremel. "He's taking advantage of it. He's out there making plays, doing what he can to help us win."
****
IU won the Oaken Bucket in 2019, 44-41 in double overtime at Ross-Ade Stadium, and kept it after last year's game at Memorial Stadium was canceled because of COVID-19 issues on both teams.
"Leading up to (last year's game), things started going south for both programs with COVID," Allen said. "Then we tried to reschedule it the next week, but ended up not playing the game."
One result is that the Hoosiers will play at Ross-Ade Stadium for the second-straight time in the series, which normally alternates with Memorial Stadium every other year.
"Two years in a row we'll play at Purdue," Allen said. "That's the reality of what's happened.
"That's where the game is going to be at, so that's where we're going to show up and play."
*****
Throw the ball.
That, in essence, is the message for McCulley.
He's rushed 64 times this season, and passed 82 times.
Against Minnesota, he was 3-for-7 for 17 yards and two interceptions. He ran 16 times for 72 yards and a touchdown.
Many of the plays were run-pass options, and McCulley mostly chose to run even sometimes when the pass was the better option.
"We've got to grow in that confidence to throw the football," Allen said. "You've got to throw. There's no doubt you want to put the defense in conflict.
"We've got to make better reads. We've got to know when to throw it, when not to throw it, when to run it. It's a growth process we go through."
IU needs solid passing and running attacks to have a chance to beat Purdue.
"We have to throw with him," Allen said. "We know that. He knows that. He does it well in practice. He has to do it well in games. I know he can.
"We've got to get to the point where that's happening consistently on Saturdays."
After every series during games, McCulley gets sideline feedback from Allen and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan.
"You're trying to talk through things," Allen said. "If a guy makes a mistake, get him calmed down, get him on the board, have him tell you what he saw.
"A big thing to me is having them tell you what they saw. That tells you a lot. Are they seeing things they need to be seeing?
"We talk about seeing ghosts out there. Are they seeing things that aren't there? They get spooked, thinking it was this coverage, when it was really that coverage."
*****
Could Michael Penix Jr., Jack Tuttle, Tiawan Mullen, Stephen Carr, Josh Sanguinetti, James Miller, and the rest of the injured Hoosiers who have missed games this season return for Saturday?
They're going to try, Allen said.
"Tiawan worked out over the weekend. He will be practicing (Tuesday). We'll see how that goes. We'll know more after that.
"It's the same with the other guys. Still working to see where they're at. It's our last week. It's now or never.
"They've been critical parts of our team in the past. We need to get them if we can at all possible. They're working hard to do that."
*****
Despite an outstanding season that includes 15.5 tackles for loss, which ranks second in the Big Ten and seventh nationally, and a team-leading 70 tackles overall, All-America linebacker Micah McFadden is not among the six finalists for the Butkus Award, presented annually to the nation's best linebacker.
"He's a great player, a special player" Allen said. "I don't have any control over the voting.
"He's developed tremendously since he's been here. An awesome young man. A great family. I have a ton of respect for him. He's the leader of our defense.
"There's no question he's one of the best linebackers in the country. I think a lot of others feel the same way."
*****
Return, transfer, or turn pro?
Allen and his staff have started conversations with players in preparation for next season.
Things will be finalized in the next few weeks.
"It's being able to have honest conversations about where they stand with us," Allen said, "and what they're thinking, as well.
"It's about making sure we have guys who want to be part of this, who want to help us fight though the adversity we've experienced, help us get back to where we want to be."
IU will bring in a solid freshman recruiting class as well as add college transfers.
"My biggest thing is I want guys who want to be here," Allen said. "That's the primary focus.
"It's finding guys who fit with us from high school or a transfer situation, guys who want to help us continue to build toward our goal of winning the Big Ten championship."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - "Beat Purdue!"
That was Tom Allen's final press conference message in the aftermath of Saturday's Minnesota loss.
"Beat Purdue."
It dominated Sunday's practice, resonated during Monday's media session, and will highlight every team function until Saturday's Old Oaken Bucket showdown in West Lafayette.
"This is a huge week for our program, our players, our fans and our state," Allen said.
Purdue week arrives without an Indiana bowl opportunity. That's an unwanted first under Allen as the head coach, and while that reality won't change no matter Saturday's outcome, one thing remains clear:
The Hoosiers (2-9) aim to retain the Bucket for a third-straight season.
"We'll do everything we can to keep the Bucket," Allen said.
IU seeks to snap a seven-game losing streak by beating a 7-4 Purdue team that has clinched a bowl bid.
"We've got to finish strong," Allen said. "We've got one more week together for the 2021 season. It's been very challenging.
"At the same time, it's been a special group of guys. I appreciate all of them, love them.
"(Beating Purdue) is the focus of everything we do this week."
*****
Could walk-on quarterback Grant Gremel get his first career start on Saturday?
Stay tuned.
The redshirt sophomore has played his way into contention with true freshman Donaven McCulley, huge for a guy who began the season fourth on the depth chart behind veterans Michael Penix Jr. and Jack Tuttle, and McCulley.
How did the 6-3, 200-pound Gremel get to this point after a solid, but unspectacular career at Noblesville High School outside of Indianapolis?
"His high school coach, other coaches from that area, other individuals who worked with him as a quarterback, recommended him to us," Allen said.
IU had three walk-on quarterbacks for the 2019 season and Gremel was not the best of them.
At least, not at first.
"He evolved," Allen said. "Of the walk-ons we've had here, he might have improved the most. He really bought in.
"He's just a tough kid, works hard, his attention to detail. He's very smart. He does everything right.
"He's gotten better every week, every year, with his reads, his understanding of the offense. He's very calm and poised, and does his job."
This season Gremel completes 50 percent of his passes for 122 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. He's rushed three times for 17 yards.
McCulley completes 42.7 percent of his passes for 465 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. He's rushed 64 times for 137 yards (a 2.1-yard-per-carry average) and one touchdown.
"He's excited about the opportunity he's been given," Allen said of Gremel. "He's taking advantage of it. He's out there making plays, doing what he can to help us win."
****
IU won the Oaken Bucket in 2019, 44-41 in double overtime at Ross-Ade Stadium, and kept it after last year's game at Memorial Stadium was canceled because of COVID-19 issues on both teams.
"Leading up to (last year's game), things started going south for both programs with COVID," Allen said. "Then we tried to reschedule it the next week, but ended up not playing the game."
One result is that the Hoosiers will play at Ross-Ade Stadium for the second-straight time in the series, which normally alternates with Memorial Stadium every other year.
"Two years in a row we'll play at Purdue," Allen said. "That's the reality of what's happened.
"That's where the game is going to be at, so that's where we're going to show up and play."
*****
Throw the ball.
That, in essence, is the message for McCulley.
He's rushed 64 times this season, and passed 82 times.
Against Minnesota, he was 3-for-7 for 17 yards and two interceptions. He ran 16 times for 72 yards and a touchdown.
Many of the plays were run-pass options, and McCulley mostly chose to run even sometimes when the pass was the better option.
"We've got to grow in that confidence to throw the football," Allen said. "You've got to throw. There's no doubt you want to put the defense in conflict.
"We've got to make better reads. We've got to know when to throw it, when not to throw it, when to run it. It's a growth process we go through."
IU needs solid passing and running attacks to have a chance to beat Purdue.
"We have to throw with him," Allen said. "We know that. He knows that. He does it well in practice. He has to do it well in games. I know he can.
"We've got to get to the point where that's happening consistently on Saturdays."
After every series during games, McCulley gets sideline feedback from Allen and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan.
"You're trying to talk through things," Allen said. "If a guy makes a mistake, get him calmed down, get him on the board, have him tell you what he saw.
"A big thing to me is having them tell you what they saw. That tells you a lot. Are they seeing things they need to be seeing?
"We talk about seeing ghosts out there. Are they seeing things that aren't there? They get spooked, thinking it was this coverage, when it was really that coverage."
*****
Could Michael Penix Jr., Jack Tuttle, Tiawan Mullen, Stephen Carr, Josh Sanguinetti, James Miller, and the rest of the injured Hoosiers who have missed games this season return for Saturday?
They're going to try, Allen said.
"Tiawan worked out over the weekend. He will be practicing (Tuesday). We'll see how that goes. We'll know more after that.
"It's the same with the other guys. Still working to see where they're at. It's our last week. It's now or never.
"They've been critical parts of our team in the past. We need to get them if we can at all possible. They're working hard to do that."
*****
Despite an outstanding season that includes 15.5 tackles for loss, which ranks second in the Big Ten and seventh nationally, and a team-leading 70 tackles overall, All-America linebacker Micah McFadden is not among the six finalists for the Butkus Award, presented annually to the nation's best linebacker.
"He's a great player, a special player" Allen said. "I don't have any control over the voting.
"He's developed tremendously since he's been here. An awesome young man. A great family. I have a ton of respect for him. He's the leader of our defense.
"There's no question he's one of the best linebackers in the country. I think a lot of others feel the same way."
*****
Return, transfer, or turn pro?
Allen and his staff have started conversations with players in preparation for next season.
Things will be finalized in the next few weeks.
"It's being able to have honest conversations about where they stand with us," Allen said, "and what they're thinking, as well.
"It's about making sure we have guys who want to be part of this, who want to help us fight though the adversity we've experienced, help us get back to where we want to be."
IU will bring in a solid freshman recruiting class as well as add college transfers.
"My biggest thing is I want guys who want to be here," Allen said. "That's the primary focus.
"It's finding guys who fit with us from high school or a transfer situation, guys who want to help us continue to build toward our goal of winning the Big Ten championship."
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