Forget Hype, IU-Cincinnati Comes Down To Substance

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Tiawan Mullen downplays the opportunity.

"What's special about this game," Indiana's All-America cornerback says, "is that it's the next game."

What did you expect – bulletin-board material?

Let others push hyperbole with No. 8 Cincinnati (2-0) coming to a sold-out Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Mullen sees it for what it is – the first of 10 remaining games that require perspective and every Hoosiers' best, but not hype.

In other words, substance over spectacle.

"We're not changing anything out of the ordinary," he says. "They have a great team, a very good offense, a great receiving corps. We're going to stick to who we are. Play Hoosier football."

Indiana (1-1) has been here before -- big game, big stage, big aspirations.

The moment will not, head coach Tom Allen insists, overwhelm the Hoosiers, who have won seven of their last eight home games, and eight of their last 10.

"We have played in a lot of big games. We play a difficult schedule (every year)."

IU opened with a big game at Iowa, and lost 34-6. It will face Top-25 teams Ohio State (1-1), Penn State (2-0), and Michigan (2-0) in the coming weeks. All those games will have national implications.

Still, Cincinnati offers a nationally televised opportunity to showcase the Hoosier program at its best, with all the accompanying pressure, excitement, and possibilities.

"We always prepare to win," Mullen says.

Thriving under such conditions demands focus, intensity, resilience, and staying in the moment.

"You continue to focus on the process you go through to play your best," Allen says. "That doesn't change. We mention this. We talk about this. We emphasize this.

"If you want to play your best in the biggest moments, you fall back on your habits and on the things you have trained yourself to do on a consistent basis.

"That's the execution piece, all the preparation and film study. It's not some emotional high that (will carry you to victory).

"After the emotion wears off, and fatigue sets in, it is about rolling up your sleeves and playing football for 60 minutes or beyond. Whatever it takes to win."

Cincinnati arrives with college playoff aspirations after just missing out on it last year despite a 9-0 regular-season record. The Bearcats have plenty of returning firepower, plus some key new additions.

"I know they're not a Power 5 Conference team," Allen says, "but they have Power 5 Conference personnel. It's just like playing a Big Ten team."

In fact, the Bearcats will soon become a Power 5 team. They have accepted a bid to join the Big 12.

IU already has played an elite defense in Iowa. Cincinnati's unit, which allows 10.5 points a game, might be faster.

"They have a lot of experienced players," Allen says. "Their defensive end (Myjai Sanders) is special. They have two cornerbacks (All-American Ahmad Gardner, Coby Bryant) I think are really elite and very talented.

"Those are two positions you put a lot of value on because they affect your quarterback."

Gardner has seven career interceptions and two pick-6s. Sanders had 11 sacks in the previous two seasons.

"They make it challenging," Allen says. "They put a lot of pressure on you and do a lot of different things."

Cincinnati's tackling, physical play, fundamentals, technique, and overall effort are formidable, Allen says.

"You are going to have to be on point. They have impressive personnel."

Cincinnati's offensive personnel is just as impressive. It's led by quarterback Desmond Ridder, who completes 72.3 percent of his passes for 538 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception.

"His poise sticks out to me," Allen says. "You can tell he's played a lot of football and won a lot of games.

"He is comfortable in their system. You can tell he knows it well.

"He creates challenges because he can run and throw equally effectively. He is very durable for a guy who runs a lot. He takes a lot of hits and keeps coming back. That's an impressive quality. It's not easy to do.

"He is very accurate and can throw on the run. They have done a good job in developing him. He's an elite player."

Ridder has plenty of receiving options, led by Tyler Scott (who averages 31.0 yards per reception) and Jadon Thompson.

No matter who plays, Mullen says, "When you're on the field, you play like a 1, you are a 1.

"It's all about doing your job. You're not doing anybody else's job. Communication. Trusting the person beside you will do his job."

As for the Hoosier offense, look for D.J. Matthews Jr. to make a bigger receiving impact. He's caught six passes for 30 yards. He also returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown last Saturday against Idaho.

Allen expected big things when Matthews transferred after three productive seasons at Florida State.

"We thought he was a good fit for us," Allen says. "Since he's been here, he's been great. He has worked extremely hard. He has a tremendous attitude. He's a special person and a special player.

"I believe his best football is ahead of him. I am looking for him to get a groove with (quarterback) Michael Penix and our offense, and make plays."

As for the sell-out crowd, Allen says that, "Is an awesome thing. I know it's a big deal to our players. At critical times in the game, it is going to be huge. That energy pushes you through adversity and allows you to gain momentum."

Forget Hype, IU-Cincinnati Comes Down To Substance

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Players Mentioned

D.J. Matthews Jr.

Tiawan Mullen

Indiana University Athletics