Indiana University Athletics
IU Focus Clear – Pass The ‘Finish’ Test
11/9/2021 9:00:00 AM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - For Tom Allen, the focus for the last three weeks of a disappointing Indiana football season is clear:
End on Cream & Crimson terms.
"We talked a lot about how we finish," he said via Monday's weekly availability. "That's how you're remembered as a group."
Yes, the veterans will be remembered for last year's unprecedented 6-2, No.-12-in-the-nation season, and for the 8-5 mark the previous year, but for this 2-7 team, it's all about beating Rutgers (4-5), Minnesota (6-3), and Purdue (6-3).
IU hosts Rutgers on Saturday.
Injuries, sub-par performance, and a brutal schedule have ripped away the optimism from preseason Big Ten title contention promise.
"There's no doubt this has been a major disappointment and frustration," Allen said. "It's way different than any of us expected, thought, or imagined would happen.
"But here we are. It's what I talked to our guys about, when things don't go your way, how do you respond?
"You fall back on what you believe, and you get tested. We're being tested in a strong way. These tests try you, shape you, form you.
"It tests what you are and what you believe. That's why these times are very, very difficult. They're not a lot of fun, but they're part of life."
****
IU's struggles mirror that of the quarterbacks. Whether it was Michael Penix Jr., Jack Tuttle, or Donaven McCulley, no one performed at the elite level needed for title contention.
It goes beyond the struggles from last Saturday's Michigan loss, when McCulley went 10-for-24 for 88 yards.
"The quarterback play in general, even before that, for whatever reason, different variables are involved, obviously we're not where we want to be, need to be," Allen said.
"It's been frustrating for all of us. We have a group of guys we had high expectations for, and they did for themselves. I know they're frustrated. I understand that. I don't blame them for it."
IU quarterbacks have completed a combined 51.8 percent of their passes for 1,705 yards, eight touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
That comes after last season, when Penix and Tuttle combined to produce one of the conference's better passing attacks.
"There are things that stand out," Allen said about the drop-off. "There's never just one thing.
"Getting better quarterback play is the key. It starts up front (with the offensive line), and then those guys (receivers) getting open, and being able to finish plays when they get to that position.
"That's part of the whole evaluation process you go through when this is all done."
****
How do you explain going from 14-7 the past two seasons to 2-7 this season?
Turnovers and takeaways, Allen says.
Consider IU led the Big Ten in interceptions last year with 17 in eight games. It also recovered three fumbles.
This year, it only has five interceptions, along with four fumble recoveries. It has thrown 10 interceptions and lost three fumbles.
"When you get takeaways," Allen said, "it changes everything. That's never going to cease to be a huge priority for us.
"On offense, we turned the ball over, especially early in the year, and it cost us big time.
"On offense, it was the quarterback play. On defense, it was the lack of takeaways. Those are the two biggest things that stick out as far as what's been lacking."
****
As a true freshman, McCulley is allowed to play in four games and retain his redshirt status.
He has reached the four-game limit after playing against Michigan State, Ohio State, Maryland, and Michigan.
If Penix and Tuttle are healthy enough to play in these final three games, and McCulley doesn't play, he would retain four years of eligibility.
"It's all based on where (Penix and Tuttle) are at and what their health is like," Allen said. "If (McCulley) plays at all Saturday, you know what that means.
"The whole objective is, whoever is in there, he needs to be healthy. We won't put them out there if they're not.
"Then, what we do has to help us be successful on Saturday."
Allen said Penix and Tuttle will practice this week.
"They have progressed. They've been more involved in practice, and are going to be more involved. That's positive news.
"We're just trying to get those guys healthy. We'll see how this week progresses, but we'll have all three of those guys taking reps.
"We're going to let these guys prepare this week and see what happens."
*****
Rutgers is 4-5 after opening the season 3-0. In its last two games, it won at Illinois on Oct. 30, then lost at home to surging Wisconsin last Saturday.
Tailback Isaih Pacheco has rushed for 475 yards and three touchdowns.
Quarterback Noah Vedral completes 61.0 percent of his passes for 1,493 yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions. He's also rushed for 239 yards and one TD.
Receiver Bo Melton has caught 43 passes for 473 yards and three touchdowns.
A knee injury will sideline All-Big Ten kick returner Aron Cruickshank for the rest of the season. He had a 62-yard punt return for a touchdowns against Delaware.
"They've a very physical team," Allen said. "They play hard. Coach (Greg Schiano) has done a great job getting those guys and changing their mindset and how they play and compete for 60 minutes. We know that's going to be the case this week."
*****
An ankle injury limited starting tailback Steve Carr to three carries and 12 yards against Michigan. Allen said X-rays and an MRI showed no broken bones.
"We're working hard to get him back," Allen said. "I don't know where that stands or how it's going to affect his ability to practice."
Offensive lineman Luke Haggard and outside linebacker Jaren Handy also were injured at Michigan. Allen is optimistic Haggard could play Saturday, less so about Handy.
"The plan is for (Haggard) to practice, and we hope to get him back. Jaren is probably going to be out for a little bit. I would say he's not going to play this Saturday."
*****
With hopes for a winning season gone, do IU coaches focus on playing the young players to build for the future?
Not a chance, Allen said.
"The objective is to win, so if those younger guys are in position to help us do that, then they'll be the ones to play. That's our whole objective, to continue to help this team finish strong.
"Due to injuries, you're probably going to have to play a lot of younger guys. Those will naturally happen for the guys that are in position to help us do that. We'll progress accordingly.
"But the No. 1 goal is to beat Rutgers."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - For Tom Allen, the focus for the last three weeks of a disappointing Indiana football season is clear:
End on Cream & Crimson terms.
"We talked a lot about how we finish," he said via Monday's weekly availability. "That's how you're remembered as a group."
Yes, the veterans will be remembered for last year's unprecedented 6-2, No.-12-in-the-nation season, and for the 8-5 mark the previous year, but for this 2-7 team, it's all about beating Rutgers (4-5), Minnesota (6-3), and Purdue (6-3).
IU hosts Rutgers on Saturday.
Injuries, sub-par performance, and a brutal schedule have ripped away the optimism from preseason Big Ten title contention promise.
"There's no doubt this has been a major disappointment and frustration," Allen said. "It's way different than any of us expected, thought, or imagined would happen.
"But here we are. It's what I talked to our guys about, when things don't go your way, how do you respond?
"You fall back on what you believe, and you get tested. We're being tested in a strong way. These tests try you, shape you, form you.
"It tests what you are and what you believe. That's why these times are very, very difficult. They're not a lot of fun, but they're part of life."
****
IU's struggles mirror that of the quarterbacks. Whether it was Michael Penix Jr., Jack Tuttle, or Donaven McCulley, no one performed at the elite level needed for title contention.
It goes beyond the struggles from last Saturday's Michigan loss, when McCulley went 10-for-24 for 88 yards.
"The quarterback play in general, even before that, for whatever reason, different variables are involved, obviously we're not where we want to be, need to be," Allen said.
"It's been frustrating for all of us. We have a group of guys we had high expectations for, and they did for themselves. I know they're frustrated. I understand that. I don't blame them for it."
IU quarterbacks have completed a combined 51.8 percent of their passes for 1,705 yards, eight touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
That comes after last season, when Penix and Tuttle combined to produce one of the conference's better passing attacks.
"There are things that stand out," Allen said about the drop-off. "There's never just one thing.
"Getting better quarterback play is the key. It starts up front (with the offensive line), and then those guys (receivers) getting open, and being able to finish plays when they get to that position.
"That's part of the whole evaluation process you go through when this is all done."
****
How do you explain going from 14-7 the past two seasons to 2-7 this season?
Turnovers and takeaways, Allen says.
Consider IU led the Big Ten in interceptions last year with 17 in eight games. It also recovered three fumbles.
This year, it only has five interceptions, along with four fumble recoveries. It has thrown 10 interceptions and lost three fumbles.
"When you get takeaways," Allen said, "it changes everything. That's never going to cease to be a huge priority for us.
"On offense, we turned the ball over, especially early in the year, and it cost us big time.
"On offense, it was the quarterback play. On defense, it was the lack of takeaways. Those are the two biggest things that stick out as far as what's been lacking."
****
As a true freshman, McCulley is allowed to play in four games and retain his redshirt status.
He has reached the four-game limit after playing against Michigan State, Ohio State, Maryland, and Michigan.
If Penix and Tuttle are healthy enough to play in these final three games, and McCulley doesn't play, he would retain four years of eligibility.
"It's all based on where (Penix and Tuttle) are at and what their health is like," Allen said. "If (McCulley) plays at all Saturday, you know what that means.
"The whole objective is, whoever is in there, he needs to be healthy. We won't put them out there if they're not.
"Then, what we do has to help us be successful on Saturday."
Allen said Penix and Tuttle will practice this week.
"They have progressed. They've been more involved in practice, and are going to be more involved. That's positive news.
"We're just trying to get those guys healthy. We'll see how this week progresses, but we'll have all three of those guys taking reps.
"We're going to let these guys prepare this week and see what happens."
*****
Rutgers is 4-5 after opening the season 3-0. In its last two games, it won at Illinois on Oct. 30, then lost at home to surging Wisconsin last Saturday.
Tailback Isaih Pacheco has rushed for 475 yards and three touchdowns.
Quarterback Noah Vedral completes 61.0 percent of his passes for 1,493 yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions. He's also rushed for 239 yards and one TD.
Receiver Bo Melton has caught 43 passes for 473 yards and three touchdowns.
A knee injury will sideline All-Big Ten kick returner Aron Cruickshank for the rest of the season. He had a 62-yard punt return for a touchdowns against Delaware.
"They've a very physical team," Allen said. "They play hard. Coach (Greg Schiano) has done a great job getting those guys and changing their mindset and how they play and compete for 60 minutes. We know that's going to be the case this week."
*****
An ankle injury limited starting tailback Steve Carr to three carries and 12 yards against Michigan. Allen said X-rays and an MRI showed no broken bones.
"We're working hard to get him back," Allen said. "I don't know where that stands or how it's going to affect his ability to practice."
Offensive lineman Luke Haggard and outside linebacker Jaren Handy also were injured at Michigan. Allen is optimistic Haggard could play Saturday, less so about Handy.
"The plan is for (Haggard) to practice, and we hope to get him back. Jaren is probably going to be out for a little bit. I would say he's not going to play this Saturday."
*****
With hopes for a winning season gone, do IU coaches focus on playing the young players to build for the future?
Not a chance, Allen said.
"The objective is to win, so if those younger guys are in position to help us do that, then they'll be the ones to play. That's our whole objective, to continue to help this team finish strong.
"Due to injuries, you're probably going to have to play a lot of younger guys. Those will naturally happen for the guys that are in position to help us do that. We'll progress accordingly.
"But the No. 1 goal is to beat Rutgers."
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