Thursday Takeaways: Michigan
11/4/2021 12:46:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana head football coach Tom Allen addressed the media on Thursday (Nov. 4) in front of the Hoosiers trip to Michigan for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on FOX inside Michigan Stadium.
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
On Donaven McCulley's confidence building through the week…
TA: You can see [his confidence building]. There is no question about it. The more he plays, the more opportunities and the game itself reinforces a lot of things. Just his comfort level in this role and preparing each day for that, and that must continue tomorrow. Everything we do we do up to kickoff is critical here and our preparation, especially in that position, his film study and everything he is doing. You see the confidence building and growing each and every day.
On if he saw any differences in McCulley during practice this week…
TA: When I watch him practice, just feeling comfortable and being able to make checks and adjustments to protections and the things that we do when we make different calls. We obviously do all of those mechanics like we would do in a game during practice, even handling the crowd noise. We have been doing that this week for the environment we are going to be in [at Michigan]. I just think even the throwing confidence, ball placement, the tempo with which the ball comes out of his hand, there is a higher level of belief because of reps and the experience he has from these last couple of games. I think it is a collective thing, but you can see the way he carries himself, the way he communicates more loudly -- because you are louder when you are confident -- as he is running the offense.
On how he expects McCulley to handle the crowd in Michigan Stadium…
TA: There is no question when you think about the reps he got against Ohio State, as tough as that was, that was valuable. There is no question about it. You then build off that going and being able to bring us back at the end in the fourth quarter [at Maryland]. Being put in those situations, you can talk about that and drill it in practice, but you have to experience it. As you mentioned, a year ago at this time he was playing for a sectional title. That is the reality of where he is and he has had to grow up really fast, but I think his poise and his natural confidence is starting to show. I think this is another opportunity -- you never know how somebody is going to respond in those adverse conditions. It is going to be a very hostile environment and a whole lot of fans cheering against him, but that will be another growth opportunity for him and our team.
On how the running game at help the offense this weekend…
TA: You are exactly right and there is no question that [Michigan] does a great job against the run. We have to find a way and create those creases and take advantage of them when we get them. Our running backs have to run extremely hard and very smart, understand the reads and be able to hit their holes appropriately and accurately and with a precision. And, like you said, the best way to support a young quarterback is with a strong running game. We need to be able to do that and that is a huge part of our plan. That will be expected. Even in the protections, just to allow Donaven [time to throw]. [Michigan] obviously takes a lot of pride in disrupting your offensive flow and affecting those quarterbacks. It is going to be tested for sure, but it needs to be a huge part of our success on game day has to be our running game.
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
On Donaven McCulley's confidence building through the week…
TA: You can see [his confidence building]. There is no question about it. The more he plays, the more opportunities and the game itself reinforces a lot of things. Just his comfort level in this role and preparing each day for that, and that must continue tomorrow. Everything we do we do up to kickoff is critical here and our preparation, especially in that position, his film study and everything he is doing. You see the confidence building and growing each and every day.
On if he saw any differences in McCulley during practice this week…
TA: When I watch him practice, just feeling comfortable and being able to make checks and adjustments to protections and the things that we do when we make different calls. We obviously do all of those mechanics like we would do in a game during practice, even handling the crowd noise. We have been doing that this week for the environment we are going to be in [at Michigan]. I just think even the throwing confidence, ball placement, the tempo with which the ball comes out of his hand, there is a higher level of belief because of reps and the experience he has from these last couple of games. I think it is a collective thing, but you can see the way he carries himself, the way he communicates more loudly -- because you are louder when you are confident -- as he is running the offense.
On how he expects McCulley to handle the crowd in Michigan Stadium…
TA: There is no question when you think about the reps he got against Ohio State, as tough as that was, that was valuable. There is no question about it. You then build off that going and being able to bring us back at the end in the fourth quarter [at Maryland]. Being put in those situations, you can talk about that and drill it in practice, but you have to experience it. As you mentioned, a year ago at this time he was playing for a sectional title. That is the reality of where he is and he has had to grow up really fast, but I think his poise and his natural confidence is starting to show. I think this is another opportunity -- you never know how somebody is going to respond in those adverse conditions. It is going to be a very hostile environment and a whole lot of fans cheering against him, but that will be another growth opportunity for him and our team.
On how the running game at help the offense this weekend…
TA: You are exactly right and there is no question that [Michigan] does a great job against the run. We have to find a way and create those creases and take advantage of them when we get them. Our running backs have to run extremely hard and very smart, understand the reads and be able to hit their holes appropriately and accurately and with a precision. And, like you said, the best way to support a young quarterback is with a strong running game. We need to be able to do that and that is a huge part of our plan. That will be expected. Even in the protections, just to allow Donaven [time to throw]. [Michigan] obviously takes a lot of pride in disrupting your offensive flow and affecting those quarterbacks. It is going to be tested for sure, but it needs to be a huge part of our success on game day has to be our running game.
Players Mentioned
QB
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