Indiana University Athletics
Jones, Matthews Challenged by Challenge … and Illinois
9/1/2022 2:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Cam Jones challenged Tom Allen to challenge him.
What do you think happened?
"He's lived up to the challenge," the Indiana senior linebacker says with a laugh about his head coach.
D.J. Matthews Jr. challenged himself.
So far, so good.
"I am super excited to be back out with my brothers," the senior receiver says about his year-long journey back from knee surgery. "It's been a long time.
"All glory to God. I'm thankful I have another opportunity to display my talent. I'm in a great position. I'm thankful for it."
Jones and Matthews are among the thankful Hoosiers as IU opens its season Friday night against Illinois (1-0), and one thing is clear after last year's struggles:
The stakes couldn't be higher.
"The first game is big momentum for the rest of the season," Matthews says. "We have to stay focused and be consistent."
Consider Jones, who returned for a fifth season driven to go out on winning terms.
A month or so after a season-ending loss to Purdue, Jones met with Allen. He and his family had discussed the merits of staying or trying for a pro opportunity. The decision was clear -- Jones would stay. He wanted to be pushed hard and coached hard. He wanted to play and lead as he never had before.
Hugs weren't going to be enough.
"I said, 'Coach, can I meet with you?'" Jones says. "He said, 'Yeah, as soon as possible.'"
Allen has put in the coaching time, for Jones and the linebackers and the whole defensive unit.
"It shows how much he cares," Jones says. "You don't get that from every coach."
On Friday night, Allen and Jones will work together on and off the field.
"We have conversations on the sideline -- do you think this works or that works?" Jones says. "We talk about overall blitz technique.
"He's been great. I appreciate him."
Then there's Matthews, a game-breaking receiver and returner. The former Florida State transfer has big goals, for himself and the Hoosiers.
"I want to leave my mark," he says. "On the field, off the field, I want to leave my mark on the Indiana program. Whether that's as a great person, a great leader, one of the best players to come through this program, I want to leave my mark. When I come back here, I want people to know me for certain things."
It starts Friday night.
"The preparation this week is, be consistent," Matthews says. "Whatever happens, happens. Play free. Go make plays.
"I understand what I can do. I've had a lot of mental and physical reps. Go out there and play free. I'm not worrying about injuries or making mistakes. I'm excited to be out there with the guys and help the team win."
Matthews is part of a revamped offense under new offensive coordinator Walt Bell. Exactly what kind of offense it will be (and who will be the starting quarterback) remains quiet until kickoff, but this much we know: there will be running and passing balance, a lot of receivers will play and route-running creativity is encouraged -- to a point.
"The whole receiving room is playing for small wins," Matthews says. "We want to win every rep we can. I believe the guys have a chip on their shoulders to play hard and execute at the highest levels our coaches are asking of us."
That includes smart route running. It means focus and physicality and, yes, creativity -- again, to a point.
"We won't just run lines on the plays," Matthews says. "Be artistic. Be creative in running routes so you can create space and get open to give the quarterback better opportunities to deliver the ball and put our offense in a better situation."
Bell calls this route running "managing the grass." In simple terms, find an open spot, and get there as fast as possible. The key is receiver and quarterback seeing the same thing at the same time, every time.
"We still have to be on the same page," Matthews says. "We have to communicate with each other.
"Everything is timing. If it's drawn up on a paper, I can take a pencil and scribble my own razzle and dazzle, but it still has to add up with timing with the quarterback. The quarterback has to see the reads, and I have to be in a certain spot for him to deliver the ball."
Illinois has the advantage of having played a game with last Saturday's 38-6 home victory over Wyoming. Matthews recognizes the challenge.
"They're a great team. They have great coaches. It's up to us to win our one-on-one matchups, to win any matchups. Take the small wins, take what they give us. Play fundamental ball, be consistent, and deliver on what the coaches ask us to do."
Illinois pounded out nearly 300 rushing yards against Wyoming, with tailback Chase Brown totaling 151 of them.
The Hoosiers noticed.
"They have a great run game," Jones says. "They're a good team. They make electrifying plays. But if we do our job and communicate and play Hoosier football, there will be no problems on our end.
"It takes all 11 of us. They do have a good run game, but if we get 11 hats to the ball, it shouldn't be any problem."
As for Brown, Jones says, "He's one of their key players. He's very fast and explosive out of the backfield. He runs hard, breaks a lot of tackles. They find ways to give him the ball."
What do you think happened?
"He's lived up to the challenge," the Indiana senior linebacker says with a laugh about his head coach.
D.J. Matthews Jr. challenged himself.
So far, so good.
"I am super excited to be back out with my brothers," the senior receiver says about his year-long journey back from knee surgery. "It's been a long time.
"All glory to God. I'm thankful I have another opportunity to display my talent. I'm in a great position. I'm thankful for it."
Jones and Matthews are among the thankful Hoosiers as IU opens its season Friday night against Illinois (1-0), and one thing is clear after last year's struggles:
The stakes couldn't be higher.
"The first game is big momentum for the rest of the season," Matthews says. "We have to stay focused and be consistent."
Consider Jones, who returned for a fifth season driven to go out on winning terms.
A month or so after a season-ending loss to Purdue, Jones met with Allen. He and his family had discussed the merits of staying or trying for a pro opportunity. The decision was clear -- Jones would stay. He wanted to be pushed hard and coached hard. He wanted to play and lead as he never had before.
Hugs weren't going to be enough.
"I said, 'Coach, can I meet with you?'" Jones says. "He said, 'Yeah, as soon as possible.'"
Allen has put in the coaching time, for Jones and the linebackers and the whole defensive unit.
"It shows how much he cares," Jones says. "You don't get that from every coach."
On Friday night, Allen and Jones will work together on and off the field.
"We have conversations on the sideline -- do you think this works or that works?" Jones says. "We talk about overall blitz technique.
"He's been great. I appreciate him."
Then there's Matthews, a game-breaking receiver and returner. The former Florida State transfer has big goals, for himself and the Hoosiers.
"I want to leave my mark," he says. "On the field, off the field, I want to leave my mark on the Indiana program. Whether that's as a great person, a great leader, one of the best players to come through this program, I want to leave my mark. When I come back here, I want people to know me for certain things."
It starts Friday night.
"The preparation this week is, be consistent," Matthews says. "Whatever happens, happens. Play free. Go make plays.
"I understand what I can do. I've had a lot of mental and physical reps. Go out there and play free. I'm not worrying about injuries or making mistakes. I'm excited to be out there with the guys and help the team win."
Matthews is part of a revamped offense under new offensive coordinator Walt Bell. Exactly what kind of offense it will be (and who will be the starting quarterback) remains quiet until kickoff, but this much we know: there will be running and passing balance, a lot of receivers will play and route-running creativity is encouraged -- to a point.
"The whole receiving room is playing for small wins," Matthews says. "We want to win every rep we can. I believe the guys have a chip on their shoulders to play hard and execute at the highest levels our coaches are asking of us."
That includes smart route running. It means focus and physicality and, yes, creativity -- again, to a point.
"We won't just run lines on the plays," Matthews says. "Be artistic. Be creative in running routes so you can create space and get open to give the quarterback better opportunities to deliver the ball and put our offense in a better situation."
Bell calls this route running "managing the grass." In simple terms, find an open spot, and get there as fast as possible. The key is receiver and quarterback seeing the same thing at the same time, every time.
"We still have to be on the same page," Matthews says. "We have to communicate with each other.
"Everything is timing. If it's drawn up on a paper, I can take a pencil and scribble my own razzle and dazzle, but it still has to add up with timing with the quarterback. The quarterback has to see the reads, and I have to be in a certain spot for him to deliver the ball."
Illinois has the advantage of having played a game with last Saturday's 38-6 home victory over Wyoming. Matthews recognizes the challenge.
"They're a great team. They have great coaches. It's up to us to win our one-on-one matchups, to win any matchups. Take the small wins, take what they give us. Play fundamental ball, be consistent, and deliver on what the coaches ask us to do."
Illinois pounded out nearly 300 rushing yards against Wyoming, with tailback Chase Brown totaling 151 of them.
The Hoosiers noticed.
"They have a great run game," Jones says. "They're a good team. They make electrifying plays. But if we do our job and communicate and play Hoosier football, there will be no problems on our end.
"It takes all 11 of us. They do have a good run game, but if we get 11 hats to the ball, it shouldn't be any problem."
As for Brown, Jones says, "He's one of their key players. He's very fast and explosive out of the backfield. He runs hard, breaks a lot of tackles. They find ways to give him the ball."
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
WR/RS
/ FootballThursday, August 13
Thursday, August 13
Tuesday, August 11
Tuesday, August 11