Indiana University Athletics
Media Monday: Rutgers
11/8/2021 3:01:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana head football coach Tom Allen met with the media on Monday (November 8) inside Memorial Stadium to preview the upcoming contest against Rutgers on Saturday (November 13).
Below is the transcript of the press conference. Video of the full media session can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Tom Allen | Head Coach
Opening Statement
TA: All right, good morning. I appreciate everybody being here. Just a few comments from Saturday. We continue to evaluate everything. We met with our guys yesterday, and obviously with our staff exclusively, and just trying to go through, and obviously guys are playing hard and just have to keep working hard to get better in a lot of key areas.
I thought the defense did some good things, but consistently have to eliminate some of those big plays – long run, long pass – that set up touchdowns. I think the thing that stuck out to me there defensively was three of [Michigan's] touchdown drives were in 12 plays and then 58 snaps were in the other ones that led to field goals. So just trying to eliminate those chunk plays, big plays, and when we're doing that, we're doing some good things.
Then offensively, obviously struggled in the passing game predominantly. We really struggled in that area and need to get our receivers the ball and get them more involved and get our tight ends more touches, as well, especially [Peyton Hendershot].
Very disappointed and frustrated, as well, but guys came back today, ready to battle, refocus, and do anything we can do to get our guys in position to get ready for Rutgers coming in this week.
They're a very physical football team and play hard. Coach [Greg Schiano] has done a great job there getting those guys and changing their whole mindset and how they play and how they compete for 60 minutes. We know that's going to be the case this week. Very important for our guys [to do the same], and they understand it.
We talked a lot yesterday about how we finish. That's how you're remembered as a group, and it's going to be important for these guys in that area, as well.
To recognize some guys from last week on the scout team. Cooper Jones and Pat Finley are the defensive scout team players of the week and both freshmen. Then we've got Jordan Jusevitch as our offensive scout team player of the week. He is just an unselfish guy that's come here, hasn't got to play as much as he wanted to. He's been on special teams but went on the other side of the ball and helped out in every way possible last week. He just has an amazing attitude, and we appreciate him so much. Then, Eli Jochem is the special teams scout team player of the week, one of our receivers that continues to give us great effort. Eli does an awesome job for us.
Questions.
On if some younger guys will see more action over the last three games…
TA: Well, I think the objective is to win the game. So, if those younger guys were in position to help us do that, then they'll be the ones that are going to play. Obviously that's our whole objective is to continue to help this team finish strong and due to injuries you're probably going to have a lot of younger guys have opportunities because of that. Those will naturally probably happen for the guys that are in position to help us do that, and so we'll progress accordingly.
But the number one goal is to beat Rutgers.
On if he has people to lean on as a head coach for advice during a season like this…
TA: Yeah, there are. Guys that I've worked with and that I know and trust. Some are football, some are not football. Yeah, there's no doubt this has been a major disappointment and frustration, way different than any of us ever expected or even imagined would happen, but here we are.
That's what I talked with our guys on Sunday about is that when things don't go the way you want them to, how are you going to respond. Then you fall back on what you believe, and you get tested. Right now, we're being tested in a strong way. These [tests], they try you and they shape you, they form you, and you've got people that you rely on, and you talk to, and they encourage a lot of guys, send me a lot of things encouraging us, and I appreciate that. Guys that you believe have been where you've been and have had those experiences, as well.
Bottom line is … just like I said, it tests who you are and what you are and what you believe and really truly why you believe it. I think that's why these times are very, very difficult, and they're not a whole lot of fun, but they're part of life.
On if the struggles in the passing game go beyond the quarterback situation…
TA: Yeah, quarterback play in general to me just -- even before that for whatever reason, different variables involved with that. Obviously, [quarterback play] it's not where we want to be, need to be, and it's been a frustrating thing for all of us. A group of guys that we had high expectations for, and they did themselves, and I know they're frustrated, as well, and I understand that, and I don't blame them for that at all.
Just going back and looking at the different variables, there're things that probably stand out like everything else. There's never just one single thing. Getting ourselves in a position to have better quarterback play is really the key in my opinion. It starts up front, and then obviously those guys getting open and being able to finish plays when they get to that position.
Obviously, not been anywhere close to what we expected, and so a lot of variables go into that. It's a part of the whole evaluation process you've got to go through when this is all said and done.
On an update to injuries for Stephen Carr, Michael Penix Jr. and Jack Tuttle…
TA: Yeah, Stephen Carr went out and did not come back [against Michigan]. He has an ankle injury that he's going to be working back from. Nothing broke. Did have all the X-rays and MRIs with that over the weekend. We are working hard to get him back, so don't know where that stands yet and don't know how it's going to affect his ability to practice at this point. We'll obviously have to look at all those options that we have at that position.
As far as Michael [Penix Jr.]and Jack [Tuttle], they're both going to practice this week and have progressed from last week. They've been involved, but they're going to be more involved, and that's positive news for sure. Just trying to get those guys healthy, and we'll see how this week progresses with that. We're going to have all three of those guys out there taking reps.
On what the offense can do this week to help the quarterbacks…
TA: Yeah, I think the bottom line is whoever the quarterback is everything is built on their strengths and the things that they're able to do to give us a chance to win and push the ball across the goal line, create first downs and stay on the field. That to me is the objective, to be able to possess the ball and score points.
To me, whoever that is, is going to have to build that. Obviously those are decisions that we have to make, and the opponent has to figure out. Whoever is in that position, it's going to be based upon what they do best.
On how he leans on the older guys to lead…
TA: It's huge. To me that's all we talked about yesterday is how you finish. This team -- I know they're hurting. Obviously they are, physically and mentally and all of the above.
I think that that's where your leadership has to come through very strong, and that's going to be [important]. I am going to meet with some more of those guys as the week progresses and just rely on that. We need those guys to step up, and it is truly an issue of what you're made of on the inside and how hard you're willing to prepare and to be able to be at your very best because the bottom line is you're playing Big Ten football every single weekend, and it's going to be a dogfight to find a way to win these football games.
I love this team, love our guys, and am proud of them for the way they've continued to fight. That to me is what we're going to rely on is that leadership and the leadership of our coaching staff to be able to help our guys.
It begins with me, to be able to have our guys prepared and have the right physicality, the right mindset to be able to finish.
On of the health of Michael Penix Jr. and Jack Tuttle factor in to trying to redshirt Donaven McCulley…
TA: No, I mean, it's something we discussed yesterday. It's all based on where those other two guys are at and what their health is like…He's played four [games], so that's the limit, and if he plays at all Saturday you know what that means.
Once again, the whole objective is number one, whoever is in there is going to need to be able to be healthy, and we're not going to put them out there if they're not. But number two, it is what do we have to do to be able to help us be successful on Saturday.
So that's part of it and those are decisions we've had to make, and it's all based upon the health of those other two guys. We're going to let these guys prepare this week and we'll see what happens.
On the health of Luke Haggard and Jaren Handy…
TA: Luke played three snaps and then was injured. We hope to get him back and we'll know more tomorrow. But the plan is for him to practice, and we hope to get him back, yes.
Jaren Handy still is probably going to be out for a little bit. He obviously was injured during the game, so yeah, I would say he's not going to play this Saturday.
On if the transfer portal changes the way coaches are viewing redshirting guys like Donaven McCulley…
TA: Yeah, I think there's no question it's changed it because basically the ability to -- I guess it's even the amount of individuals that you have access to or have the opportunity to bring in has completely changed now, and then the fact that a young man can play immediately when he chooses to transfer. In the past he would have to sit out a year so that would affect that.
I think there's no question. And just even the whole landscape of everything, you think of quarterbacks, guys come here, they have success, oftentimes they'll leave after three years, or if they have a redshirt year as their fifth year and they're still here, even their fourth year, they can still choose to leave.
I think it's probably unusual that a guy would be someplace at that position for five years, but it happens, I'm sure. I think all those variables together kind of make it a little bit different thought process that you might have. You definitely want to maximize your roster, you want to maximize your player development and all that, and there's no question that was the initial plan with him. We all understood that clearly, and he did, too.
Obviously, things have changed and at this point it's about who and what situation, what combination gives us the best chance to be able to win on game day. If we can keep an extra year for a guy doing that, then that's awesome. If not, because of the transfer portal and the way the roster management is kind of looked at now, I think it's probably different than it was in the past.
On how he is looking at the running backs room at this point…
TA: I think there's no question, you've got the guys that are in that room. They're going to get their opportunities this week in practice, and we'll have a chance to have all of them rotating with the ones and twos that are in that room. We'll see who rises to the top, and you'll get a chance to see exactly what they've got, and then some of them are going to get a chance to play on Saturday that maybe didn't play in the past or haven't played as much based on what happens with Stephen [Carr].
Bottom line is there's no doubt. Anytime, at every position, you get a situation where guys in front of you get injured, you've got some younger guys that are there, they're going to get their shot, and they're going to get an opportunity just like we had at receiver and different things like that at different positions.
We'll be able to have a much better feel for that as this week plays itself out and even to the next couple weeks, and that will help us for our future evaluation and once again be able to utilize the resources and the options that we have to be able to bring in guys for those positions to be able to help us get to where we want to be as we move forward.
On what he has seen with the defense this season…
TA: Yeah, I think it's a fair question. You know, the takeaways. Then you go back to, 'okay, why are we not getting them.' But I think that if you look at even the stats of games and you go through and evaluate, that to me is the biggest difference, taking the ball away.
We gave up some yards last year. We gave up some drives, but we got a lot of takeaways, and those negate a lot of things, and they make you forget about a lot of things. That to me is different for sure. I think sometimes there's certain years they go your way, but we haven't changed the emphasis. I know that for sure. It's always been a massive emphasis for me, and that will never change.
We just haven't had as many. I think pressure on the quarterback is part of it, too. Those pressures I think create a lot of those takeaways. They create errant throws and as you hit the quarterback as he's throwing. We got three sacks against Michigan, and they had only given up three the entire year.
We did some really good things in that area. We got the takeaway late, but it really was inconsequential in the outcome of the game.
That to me is when you go through it. We've have to continue, and I know we've had years here where we've gotten more than others, but that's the whole goal. That's why you see when you get takeaways it changes everything, and that's never going to cease to be a huge priority for us.
You look at our whole team, we turned the ball over on offense, especially early in the year, and it cost us big time. And we're not getting the takeaways. Those are things we were able to do a year ago: not turn it over on offense and create them on defense. That creates a whole different outcome for your team, especially in these close games.
That's been the frustration without a doubt. We've got to continue to go back and look at it and evaluate it and make sure we're doing everything we can do to help us. I know we're still continuing to play a combination of man and zone and vision coverages and match-man like we've always done, so that part hasn't changed dramatically. The system hasn't changed. It's tweaked a little bit every year. But yeah, to me it's just not getting takeaways. That's the biggest difference.
On offense it's been quarterback play. On defense it's been lack of takeaways. Those are the two biggest things that stick out to me as far as what's been lacking for us.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
114548-1-1002 2021-11-08 17:19:00 GMT
Below is the transcript of the press conference. Video of the full media session can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Tom Allen | Head Coach
Opening Statement
TA: All right, good morning. I appreciate everybody being here. Just a few comments from Saturday. We continue to evaluate everything. We met with our guys yesterday, and obviously with our staff exclusively, and just trying to go through, and obviously guys are playing hard and just have to keep working hard to get better in a lot of key areas.
I thought the defense did some good things, but consistently have to eliminate some of those big plays – long run, long pass – that set up touchdowns. I think the thing that stuck out to me there defensively was three of [Michigan's] touchdown drives were in 12 plays and then 58 snaps were in the other ones that led to field goals. So just trying to eliminate those chunk plays, big plays, and when we're doing that, we're doing some good things.
Then offensively, obviously struggled in the passing game predominantly. We really struggled in that area and need to get our receivers the ball and get them more involved and get our tight ends more touches, as well, especially [Peyton Hendershot].
Very disappointed and frustrated, as well, but guys came back today, ready to battle, refocus, and do anything we can do to get our guys in position to get ready for Rutgers coming in this week.
They're a very physical football team and play hard. Coach [Greg Schiano] has done a great job there getting those guys and changing their whole mindset and how they play and how they compete for 60 minutes. We know that's going to be the case this week. Very important for our guys [to do the same], and they understand it.
We talked a lot yesterday about how we finish. That's how you're remembered as a group, and it's going to be important for these guys in that area, as well.
To recognize some guys from last week on the scout team. Cooper Jones and Pat Finley are the defensive scout team players of the week and both freshmen. Then we've got Jordan Jusevitch as our offensive scout team player of the week. He is just an unselfish guy that's come here, hasn't got to play as much as he wanted to. He's been on special teams but went on the other side of the ball and helped out in every way possible last week. He just has an amazing attitude, and we appreciate him so much. Then, Eli Jochem is the special teams scout team player of the week, one of our receivers that continues to give us great effort. Eli does an awesome job for us.
Questions.
On if some younger guys will see more action over the last three games…
TA: Well, I think the objective is to win the game. So, if those younger guys were in position to help us do that, then they'll be the ones that are going to play. Obviously that's our whole objective is to continue to help this team finish strong and due to injuries you're probably going to have a lot of younger guys have opportunities because of that. Those will naturally probably happen for the guys that are in position to help us do that, and so we'll progress accordingly.
But the number one goal is to beat Rutgers.
On if he has people to lean on as a head coach for advice during a season like this…
TA: Yeah, there are. Guys that I've worked with and that I know and trust. Some are football, some are not football. Yeah, there's no doubt this has been a major disappointment and frustration, way different than any of us ever expected or even imagined would happen, but here we are.
That's what I talked with our guys on Sunday about is that when things don't go the way you want them to, how are you going to respond. Then you fall back on what you believe, and you get tested. Right now, we're being tested in a strong way. These [tests], they try you and they shape you, they form you, and you've got people that you rely on, and you talk to, and they encourage a lot of guys, send me a lot of things encouraging us, and I appreciate that. Guys that you believe have been where you've been and have had those experiences, as well.
Bottom line is … just like I said, it tests who you are and what you are and what you believe and really truly why you believe it. I think that's why these times are very, very difficult, and they're not a whole lot of fun, but they're part of life.
On if the struggles in the passing game go beyond the quarterback situation…
TA: Yeah, quarterback play in general to me just -- even before that for whatever reason, different variables involved with that. Obviously, [quarterback play] it's not where we want to be, need to be, and it's been a frustrating thing for all of us. A group of guys that we had high expectations for, and they did themselves, and I know they're frustrated, as well, and I understand that, and I don't blame them for that at all.
Just going back and looking at the different variables, there're things that probably stand out like everything else. There's never just one single thing. Getting ourselves in a position to have better quarterback play is really the key in my opinion. It starts up front, and then obviously those guys getting open and being able to finish plays when they get to that position.
Obviously, not been anywhere close to what we expected, and so a lot of variables go into that. It's a part of the whole evaluation process you've got to go through when this is all said and done.
On an update to injuries for Stephen Carr, Michael Penix Jr. and Jack Tuttle…
TA: Yeah, Stephen Carr went out and did not come back [against Michigan]. He has an ankle injury that he's going to be working back from. Nothing broke. Did have all the X-rays and MRIs with that over the weekend. We are working hard to get him back, so don't know where that stands yet and don't know how it's going to affect his ability to practice at this point. We'll obviously have to look at all those options that we have at that position.
As far as Michael [Penix Jr.]and Jack [Tuttle], they're both going to practice this week and have progressed from last week. They've been involved, but they're going to be more involved, and that's positive news for sure. Just trying to get those guys healthy, and we'll see how this week progresses with that. We're going to have all three of those guys out there taking reps.
On what the offense can do this week to help the quarterbacks…
TA: Yeah, I think the bottom line is whoever the quarterback is everything is built on their strengths and the things that they're able to do to give us a chance to win and push the ball across the goal line, create first downs and stay on the field. That to me is the objective, to be able to possess the ball and score points.
To me, whoever that is, is going to have to build that. Obviously those are decisions that we have to make, and the opponent has to figure out. Whoever is in that position, it's going to be based upon what they do best.
On how he leans on the older guys to lead…
TA: It's huge. To me that's all we talked about yesterday is how you finish. This team -- I know they're hurting. Obviously they are, physically and mentally and all of the above.
I think that that's where your leadership has to come through very strong, and that's going to be [important]. I am going to meet with some more of those guys as the week progresses and just rely on that. We need those guys to step up, and it is truly an issue of what you're made of on the inside and how hard you're willing to prepare and to be able to be at your very best because the bottom line is you're playing Big Ten football every single weekend, and it's going to be a dogfight to find a way to win these football games.
I love this team, love our guys, and am proud of them for the way they've continued to fight. That to me is what we're going to rely on is that leadership and the leadership of our coaching staff to be able to help our guys.
It begins with me, to be able to have our guys prepared and have the right physicality, the right mindset to be able to finish.
On of the health of Michael Penix Jr. and Jack Tuttle factor in to trying to redshirt Donaven McCulley…
TA: No, I mean, it's something we discussed yesterday. It's all based on where those other two guys are at and what their health is like…He's played four [games], so that's the limit, and if he plays at all Saturday you know what that means.
Once again, the whole objective is number one, whoever is in there is going to need to be able to be healthy, and we're not going to put them out there if they're not. But number two, it is what do we have to do to be able to help us be successful on Saturday.
So that's part of it and those are decisions we've had to make, and it's all based upon the health of those other two guys. We're going to let these guys prepare this week and we'll see what happens.
On the health of Luke Haggard and Jaren Handy…
TA: Luke played three snaps and then was injured. We hope to get him back and we'll know more tomorrow. But the plan is for him to practice, and we hope to get him back, yes.
Jaren Handy still is probably going to be out for a little bit. He obviously was injured during the game, so yeah, I would say he's not going to play this Saturday.
On if the transfer portal changes the way coaches are viewing redshirting guys like Donaven McCulley…
TA: Yeah, I think there's no question it's changed it because basically the ability to -- I guess it's even the amount of individuals that you have access to or have the opportunity to bring in has completely changed now, and then the fact that a young man can play immediately when he chooses to transfer. In the past he would have to sit out a year so that would affect that.
I think there's no question. And just even the whole landscape of everything, you think of quarterbacks, guys come here, they have success, oftentimes they'll leave after three years, or if they have a redshirt year as their fifth year and they're still here, even their fourth year, they can still choose to leave.
I think it's probably unusual that a guy would be someplace at that position for five years, but it happens, I'm sure. I think all those variables together kind of make it a little bit different thought process that you might have. You definitely want to maximize your roster, you want to maximize your player development and all that, and there's no question that was the initial plan with him. We all understood that clearly, and he did, too.
Obviously, things have changed and at this point it's about who and what situation, what combination gives us the best chance to be able to win on game day. If we can keep an extra year for a guy doing that, then that's awesome. If not, because of the transfer portal and the way the roster management is kind of looked at now, I think it's probably different than it was in the past.
On how he is looking at the running backs room at this point…
TA: I think there's no question, you've got the guys that are in that room. They're going to get their opportunities this week in practice, and we'll have a chance to have all of them rotating with the ones and twos that are in that room. We'll see who rises to the top, and you'll get a chance to see exactly what they've got, and then some of them are going to get a chance to play on Saturday that maybe didn't play in the past or haven't played as much based on what happens with Stephen [Carr].
Bottom line is there's no doubt. Anytime, at every position, you get a situation where guys in front of you get injured, you've got some younger guys that are there, they're going to get their shot, and they're going to get an opportunity just like we had at receiver and different things like that at different positions.
We'll be able to have a much better feel for that as this week plays itself out and even to the next couple weeks, and that will help us for our future evaluation and once again be able to utilize the resources and the options that we have to be able to bring in guys for those positions to be able to help us get to where we want to be as we move forward.
On what he has seen with the defense this season…
TA: Yeah, I think it's a fair question. You know, the takeaways. Then you go back to, 'okay, why are we not getting them.' But I think that if you look at even the stats of games and you go through and evaluate, that to me is the biggest difference, taking the ball away.
We gave up some yards last year. We gave up some drives, but we got a lot of takeaways, and those negate a lot of things, and they make you forget about a lot of things. That to me is different for sure. I think sometimes there's certain years they go your way, but we haven't changed the emphasis. I know that for sure. It's always been a massive emphasis for me, and that will never change.
We just haven't had as many. I think pressure on the quarterback is part of it, too. Those pressures I think create a lot of those takeaways. They create errant throws and as you hit the quarterback as he's throwing. We got three sacks against Michigan, and they had only given up three the entire year.
We did some really good things in that area. We got the takeaway late, but it really was inconsequential in the outcome of the game.
That to me is when you go through it. We've have to continue, and I know we've had years here where we've gotten more than others, but that's the whole goal. That's why you see when you get takeaways it changes everything, and that's never going to cease to be a huge priority for us.
You look at our whole team, we turned the ball over on offense, especially early in the year, and it cost us big time. And we're not getting the takeaways. Those are things we were able to do a year ago: not turn it over on offense and create them on defense. That creates a whole different outcome for your team, especially in these close games.
That's been the frustration without a doubt. We've got to continue to go back and look at it and evaluate it and make sure we're doing everything we can do to help us. I know we're still continuing to play a combination of man and zone and vision coverages and match-man like we've always done, so that part hasn't changed dramatically. The system hasn't changed. It's tweaked a little bit every year. But yeah, to me it's just not getting takeaways. That's the biggest difference.
On offense it's been quarterback play. On defense it's been lack of takeaways. Those are the two biggest things that stick out to me as far as what's been lacking for us.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
114548-1-1002 2021-11-08 17:19:00 GMT
Players Mentioned
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