Bringing The Juice -- Hoosiers Set To Attack

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Truth is always about perspective. Always. It's about looking in the mirror and not away from it, about not letting past disappointment ruin future opportunities.

It's about, Indiana linebacker Micah McFadden says, finding the silver lining in the 1-2 start.

"As tough as this is," he says, "how cool would it be for the Indiana Hoosiers to turn it around. Come back even stronger because of it."

A loss at No. 18 Iowa and a blown Memorial Stadium opportunity against No. 8 Cincinnati has IU searching for answers it hopes to find Saturday night at high-scoring Western Kentucky and then against the Big Ten gauntlet that follows.

But there is much to prove, much to improve.

"We are not where we expected to be," McFadden says, "but all of our goals are still in front of us. Guys are ready to attack, get this win against Western Kentucky, and continue on to Big Ten play.

"We focus on the next game. That's all we can control."

Control is crucial against Western Kentucky (1-1) and its pass-dominated attack that, with a 429.5-yard-per-game passing average, rates as the nation's most prolific.

"They have a good offense," McFadden says. "A big pass threat. They're looking to take shots and threaten you down the field. We have to be on point on the back end, communicate, and all be on the same page so we can cover them over the top."

In a 38-35 loss to Army, Hilltoppers quarterback Bailey Zappe completed passes to eight different receivers. It's a versatility -- honed from an extra week of preparation via a bye -- that will require a fully engaged defense to stop.

"They have a lot of good players, tough receivers on the outside," McFadden says. "We have to cover all of them. Our DBs will have to play great and play long.

"(Western Kentucky) will try to threaten us down the field. Our safeties will have to be on point, for sure."

IU appears to have the defense to contain the Hilltoppers. It certainly did for most of the first half against Cincinnati's potent offense. McFadden, an All-American, was a catalyst with a fumble recovery.

But the vulnerability exposed after McFadden's first-half ejection for targeting can't continue, he says.

"Some guys have to lock in and focus on their jobs. Keep communicating. We can't get down when something like that happens. There are 11 guys on the field. One player doesn't make the team. Guys have to make the play when it comes to them."

The Hoosiers will, he adds.

"I love those guys. I love the way they fought. I trust every guy on the defense."

Defensive coordinator Charlton Warren demands trust, and more.

"We have a lot of capable guys on our defense," he says. "Everything we do is about concepts of defense. We don't have a play designed for one player. The defense is designed for the guys to make the plays based on what happens with the offense.

"For our guys, it's the next-man-up (mentality). We have a lot of experienced players. What we need is guys to make plays -- period."

McFadden's ejection, he adds, didn't change that.

"We hated to lose Micah. He brings a lot of leadership, juice, and energy. There's no discounting him at all. But, that's no reason or excuse for us not performing the way we need to perform or finishing the game. We have to make plays."

As for the targeting call, McFadden says, "I didn't agree with the call, but there's not much I can do about that after the fact. Control what I can control. Lower my target when I'm around the quarterback."

McFadden would support a rule modification.

"If there was a two-penalty rule and the second was an ejection, but the rule is what it is. They won't change it mid-season. Maybe it will (change) in the future because of the way the game is going. I can't control that."

Control now centers on this – win.

Players Mentioned

Micah McFadden

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