NOTEBOOK: IU's Goals Remain ‘In Front of Us’
9/28/2021 9:22:00 AM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - It's all here for the Indiana Hoosiers.
The key is as simple as it is difficult:
Win.
The final eight-game conference gauntlet starts Saturday night at No. 4 Penn State (4-0).
"Everything we want to accomplish, is in front of us," head coach Tom Allen says.
Yes, IU has two losses, but both came against Top-10 teams Iowa (4-0) and Cincinnati (4-0).
The Hoosiers have won by home blowout (Idaho) and road cliffhanger (Western Kentucky).
Coming off his fifth-career 300-yard passing game, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has returned to difference-making form.
Receiver Ty Fryfogle and tight end Peyton Hendershot dominated Western Kentucky. Linebacker Micah McFadden and cornerback Tiawan Mullen are playing to their All-America status.
IU will need all of that, and more, against perhaps the Big Ten's best team.
"Every week it's going to be a dogfight," Allen says. "The margin for error is very small for everybody.
"It's the team that can execute best each week, find ways to protect the football, play great on special teams.
"The goals have been set. The vision has been set. We talk about chasing greatness. That's our word for 2021. It was picked for a reason.
"Focus on being your best every time you practice, every time you take the field. Live in the moment. Be in the moment.
"Everything is about being our best on Saturday night at Penn State."
*****
The Nittany Lions already have impressive wins over Auburn (28-20) and Wisconsin (16-10).
Quarterback Sean Clifford is coming off a career day, passing for 401 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-17 win over Villanova. He completes 71.7 percent of his passes for 1,158 yards, eight touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Penn State has two receivers with 300-plus yards -- Jahan Dotson (27 catches, 362 yards, 4 touchdowns) and Parker Washington (23, 301, 2 TDs).
The Nittany Lions' rushing attack is led by Noah Cain's 164 yards and three touchdowns. Keyvone Lee has rushed for 100 yards and averages 5.0 yards a carry.
IU is 0-11 at Beaver Stadium. A crowd of more than 105,000 is expected.
"Road wins are hard," Allen says. "The next step is beating a Top-10 team or a ranked team on the road.
"We have a great challenge against Penn State. It will be a very difficult environment at night."
It was too difficult for then No. 22 Auburn a couple of weeks ago.
"Coach (James) Franklin does a tremendous job in recruiting and player development, and the way their team performs," Allen says.
****
In last Saturday's 33-31 win at Western Kentucky, IU totaled 507 yards, 35 first downs and controlled time of possession. It was much-needed offensive progress after several weeks of inconsistency.
Penix threw for 373 yards. Running back Stephen Carr rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Hendershot caught seven passes for 100 yards. Fryfogle caught 10 for 98 yards.
"Michael continues to play better each week," Allen says. "The offensive line blocked better. Stephen Carr did a great job. Peyton Hendershot had over 100 receiving yards, the first time since 1985 we've had a tight end do that."
Kicker Charles Campbell was 4-for-4 on field goals, making him 19-for-20 for his college career.
"What a weapon he is," Allen says. "I'm real proud of the way he stays locked in."
Still, Allen emphasizes he wants touchdowns and not field goals.
"Those are things we continue to work on and through."
Defensively, McFadden (12 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass breakup) and Mullen (3 pass breakups, 2 tackles) stood out.
Allen says Mullen, "Played his best game of the season. He played the way I expected him to play. He was all over the place, knocking down balls. I don't think he gave up a completion all day.
"Micah was excellent, flying around and leading the team. His leadership on the sideline was the highest level I've ever seen from him. That's something he's really growing in."
****
IU's offense took a big hit with the season-ending knee injury to receiver D.J. Matthews Jr.
He had totaled 13 catches for 165 yards in just over three games before hurting the knee last Saturday night at Western Kentucky. He'd also returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown.
"It's a tough blow for us and for him," Allen says. "I hurt for him. He has an amazing attitude.
"Other guys have got to step up. We've got to fill the void and press on."
Miles Marshall (7 catches, 96 yards) and Jacolby Hewitt (4 catches, 41 yards) top the next-man-up list.
"Some guys have to adjust," Fryfogle says. "We'll get it figured out in practice this week.
"(Matthews) was doing awesome. He really contributed. He's a tough guy. He'll bounce back."
Matthews, a grad transfer from Florida State, will be eligible to return for a final college season.
****
Carr spent Monday morning looking at Penn State film.
He was impressed.
"Great team. Real aggressive. Looking forward to playing against them."
Added Penix: "Since I've been here, Penn State has always had a tough defense. They've been physical."
*****
IU has five takeaways in four games. Not good enough, Allen says.
"It has not been enough for our standard."
The Hoosiers shoot for three a game -- interceptions or fumble recoveries. They got zero against Western Kentucky.
"I didn't see us raking and punching at the ball like I want us to," Allen says.
"We've got to create them. We emphasize it ruthlessly in this program. That will not change.
"We have circuits we do for that every week."
Meanwhile, cornerback Jaylin Williams is "progressing well" through concussion protocol. He might be available against Penn State. He was hurt against Western Kentucky.
****
IU, which practices in the morning, is facing its third night game. Preparing for that is a big adjustment, Allen says.
"Our players love playing at night. As a coach, I love playing at night. Our guys are jacked.
"You figure out how to handle all the time you have. That's the negative part – just the wait.
"It's going to be an awesome environment, a great opportunity."
*****
Sticking with Penix after his struggles in the first three games involved a thorough evaluation process, Allen says. The day after the Cincinnati loss, he talked with Penix, his coaches and players (even linebackers) before deciding Penix gave the Hoosiers the best chance to win.
"You watch the games, the plays, together," Allen says. "You ask those questions. What are you seeing here? Why did you make this decision? That helps me figure out, do we need to do something different to get a better outcome, or is this exactly what we need to do, so keep doing it?
"I felt there was progress with Michael and his play, his decision making, different throws.
"He's still got to keep getting better, continue to improve. I expect that to happen."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - It's all here for the Indiana Hoosiers.
The key is as simple as it is difficult:
Win.
The final eight-game conference gauntlet starts Saturday night at No. 4 Penn State (4-0).
"Everything we want to accomplish, is in front of us," head coach Tom Allen says.
Yes, IU has two losses, but both came against Top-10 teams Iowa (4-0) and Cincinnati (4-0).
The Hoosiers have won by home blowout (Idaho) and road cliffhanger (Western Kentucky).
Coming off his fifth-career 300-yard passing game, quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has returned to difference-making form.
Receiver Ty Fryfogle and tight end Peyton Hendershot dominated Western Kentucky. Linebacker Micah McFadden and cornerback Tiawan Mullen are playing to their All-America status.
IU will need all of that, and more, against perhaps the Big Ten's best team.
"Every week it's going to be a dogfight," Allen says. "The margin for error is very small for everybody.
"It's the team that can execute best each week, find ways to protect the football, play great on special teams.
"The goals have been set. The vision has been set. We talk about chasing greatness. That's our word for 2021. It was picked for a reason.
"Focus on being your best every time you practice, every time you take the field. Live in the moment. Be in the moment.
"Everything is about being our best on Saturday night at Penn State."
*****
The Nittany Lions already have impressive wins over Auburn (28-20) and Wisconsin (16-10).
Quarterback Sean Clifford is coming off a career day, passing for 401 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-17 win over Villanova. He completes 71.7 percent of his passes for 1,158 yards, eight touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Penn State has two receivers with 300-plus yards -- Jahan Dotson (27 catches, 362 yards, 4 touchdowns) and Parker Washington (23, 301, 2 TDs).
The Nittany Lions' rushing attack is led by Noah Cain's 164 yards and three touchdowns. Keyvone Lee has rushed for 100 yards and averages 5.0 yards a carry.
IU is 0-11 at Beaver Stadium. A crowd of more than 105,000 is expected.
"Road wins are hard," Allen says. "The next step is beating a Top-10 team or a ranked team on the road.
"We have a great challenge against Penn State. It will be a very difficult environment at night."
It was too difficult for then No. 22 Auburn a couple of weeks ago.
"Coach (James) Franklin does a tremendous job in recruiting and player development, and the way their team performs," Allen says.
****
In last Saturday's 33-31 win at Western Kentucky, IU totaled 507 yards, 35 first downs and controlled time of possession. It was much-needed offensive progress after several weeks of inconsistency.
Penix threw for 373 yards. Running back Stephen Carr rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Hendershot caught seven passes for 100 yards. Fryfogle caught 10 for 98 yards.
"Michael continues to play better each week," Allen says. "The offensive line blocked better. Stephen Carr did a great job. Peyton Hendershot had over 100 receiving yards, the first time since 1985 we've had a tight end do that."
Kicker Charles Campbell was 4-for-4 on field goals, making him 19-for-20 for his college career.
"What a weapon he is," Allen says. "I'm real proud of the way he stays locked in."
Still, Allen emphasizes he wants touchdowns and not field goals.
"Those are things we continue to work on and through."
Defensively, McFadden (12 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass breakup) and Mullen (3 pass breakups, 2 tackles) stood out.
Allen says Mullen, "Played his best game of the season. He played the way I expected him to play. He was all over the place, knocking down balls. I don't think he gave up a completion all day.
"Micah was excellent, flying around and leading the team. His leadership on the sideline was the highest level I've ever seen from him. That's something he's really growing in."
****
IU's offense took a big hit with the season-ending knee injury to receiver D.J. Matthews Jr.
He had totaled 13 catches for 165 yards in just over three games before hurting the knee last Saturday night at Western Kentucky. He'd also returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown.
"It's a tough blow for us and for him," Allen says. "I hurt for him. He has an amazing attitude.
"Other guys have got to step up. We've got to fill the void and press on."
Miles Marshall (7 catches, 96 yards) and Jacolby Hewitt (4 catches, 41 yards) top the next-man-up list.
"Some guys have to adjust," Fryfogle says. "We'll get it figured out in practice this week.
"(Matthews) was doing awesome. He really contributed. He's a tough guy. He'll bounce back."
Matthews, a grad transfer from Florida State, will be eligible to return for a final college season.
****
Carr spent Monday morning looking at Penn State film.
He was impressed.
"Great team. Real aggressive. Looking forward to playing against them."
Added Penix: "Since I've been here, Penn State has always had a tough defense. They've been physical."
*****
IU has five takeaways in four games. Not good enough, Allen says.
"It has not been enough for our standard."
The Hoosiers shoot for three a game -- interceptions or fumble recoveries. They got zero against Western Kentucky.
"I didn't see us raking and punching at the ball like I want us to," Allen says.
"We've got to create them. We emphasize it ruthlessly in this program. That will not change.
"We have circuits we do for that every week."
Meanwhile, cornerback Jaylin Williams is "progressing well" through concussion protocol. He might be available against Penn State. He was hurt against Western Kentucky.
****
IU, which practices in the morning, is facing its third night game. Preparing for that is a big adjustment, Allen says.
"Our players love playing at night. As a coach, I love playing at night. Our guys are jacked.
"You figure out how to handle all the time you have. That's the negative part – just the wait.
"It's going to be an awesome environment, a great opportunity."
*****
Sticking with Penix after his struggles in the first three games involved a thorough evaluation process, Allen says. The day after the Cincinnati loss, he talked with Penix, his coaches and players (even linebackers) before deciding Penix gave the Hoosiers the best chance to win.
"You watch the games, the plays, together," Allen says. "You ask those questions. What are you seeing here? Why did you make this decision? That helps me figure out, do we need to do something different to get a better outcome, or is this exactly what we need to do, so keep doing it?
"I felt there was progress with Michael and his play, his decision making, different throws.
"He's still got to keep getting better, continue to improve. I expect that to happen."
Players Mentioned
K
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
TE
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR/RS
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DB
/ FootballFB: Mikail Kamara Media Availability (9/16/25)
Tuesday, September 16
FB: Kellan Wyatt Media Availability (9/16/25)
Tuesday, September 16
FB: Curt Cignetti Media Availability (9/15/25)
Monday, September 15
FB: Omar Cooper - ISU Postgame Press Conference (09/12/25))
Friday, September 12