Indiana University Athletics
Consistency Found – Tevis Works the Process
9/16/2022 2:02:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - JH Tevis didn't have much to say about himself. Not now. Not with Saturday's game against Western Kentucky (2-0) looming and plenty of opportunities after that to show the Indiana Hoosiers (2-0) can return to national relevance.
"I'm going where the team is going," the senior defensive lineman said after being asked to assess his play. "I want to continue to grow consistently. Making plays here and there, but I want to be consistent."
Tevis transferred from the University of California after last season to make consistent Hoosier impact. So far that's eight tackles, two for loss, and strong leadership.
IU's unbeaten start means more to him.
"We have a lot to work on," he said. "Obviously, 2-0 is the goal, and we're on to the next."
The next goal, he added, is playing a "complete game."
"We put together bits and pieces on defense and offense, but we want to put it all together. We work on that every day. Start strong, finish strong."
Defensive coordinator Chad Wilt said Tevis brings what the Hoosiers need.
"He's very consistent. He's been the same guy every day. He's fun to be around. He brings great energy."
If that includes a song or two, all the better.
"He sings little ditties," Wilt said. "He's always singing.
"He has a great mindset for the work and enjoys the work. He has done a great job leading that (defensive line) room. He continues to challenge those guys to step up -- these are our standards and you've got to play better.
"He'll also tell you that he needs to challenge himself. He's been a real joy to be around. He enjoys the process of getting better."
Process enjoyment includes an improved offensive line that has helped keep quarterback Connor Bazelak mostly out of harm's way. He's been sacked just once, against Illinois in the season opener, and he blames himself for not throwing the ball away. Still, offensive coordinator Walt Bell praised Bazelak's throw-away success and overall decision making.
"We won our first game because Connor threw the ball away in that two-minute drive," Bell said. "First down from the 5-yard line, there was an issue, and he gets the ball in the stands, which allows us to run a draw on second down which allows us to score on third."
Bell said quarterbacks have 2.85 seconds per pass play to make a decision and throw.
"You have that to figure it out. One of the biggest ills in dealing with a young or college quarterback is once they get past 2.85, of hanging onto the football and taking unnecessary sacks. Getting the ball out of your hands and throwing the ball away is a huge part of quarterbacking.
"Connor has only had six throw aways. That's a good thing. Of course, we would like that to all be completions, but I think the offensive line has done an awesome job in pass protection and Connor has done a good job getting the ball out of his hands."
Redshirt junior left guard Mike Katic agreed.
"Connor is awesome," Katic said. "He's a good dude. He makes sure we're all right and that the O-line is performing.
"He makes the right calls. He has a good pocket presence. He gets out of the pocket or throws away the ball. He makes us look good. Keeping him clean is our biggest responsibility."
A much-needed running game found its form in the second half against Idaho last Saturday thanks to an offensive line blasting open big holes.
"As a unit we were very cohesive and played well," Katic said.
"We have a lot of confidence as a unit and in the running backs and quarterback. They hit the holes and make the right calls."
Bell and offensive line coach Darren Hiller set the tone.
"There was a big emphasis on running the ball," Katic said. "We knew we had a lot on our shoulders. Coach Bell and Coach Hiller put us in the right spots. They called a great game."
Losing standout lineman Matthew Bedford to a season-ending torn ACL was offset by the strong play of senior Parker Hanna, a junior college transfer making his first major college start.
"It didn't faze him," Katic says. "He's an older guy. He has a lot of experience. There's not a big drop off from Matt to Parker in terms of experience and knowing the game.
"Parker brings leadership. He's a smart guy. He's long, plays physical and has a great finish."
Allen seeks to continue the strong offense from last week's second half, when IU scored 35 points.
"I'm looking for consistency and a strong first-quarter start and be able to play at a high level right out of the gate," he said. "To be able to execute for four quarters.
"It is about us doing our jobs. We have to be very consistent up front in our technique, in our run game technique, and in our pass protection techniques."
Allen expects an attacking, aggressive Western Kentucky defense.
"We have to understand the way they are going to bring pressure. They do a really good job on third downs and give you a lot of different looks. For me, it is more about us doing a great job of reacting to what we are going to see."
"I'm going where the team is going," the senior defensive lineman said after being asked to assess his play. "I want to continue to grow consistently. Making plays here and there, but I want to be consistent."
Tevis transferred from the University of California after last season to make consistent Hoosier impact. So far that's eight tackles, two for loss, and strong leadership.
IU's unbeaten start means more to him.
"We have a lot to work on," he said. "Obviously, 2-0 is the goal, and we're on to the next."
The next goal, he added, is playing a "complete game."
"We put together bits and pieces on defense and offense, but we want to put it all together. We work on that every day. Start strong, finish strong."
Defensive coordinator Chad Wilt said Tevis brings what the Hoosiers need.
"He's very consistent. He's been the same guy every day. He's fun to be around. He brings great energy."
If that includes a song or two, all the better.
"He sings little ditties," Wilt said. "He's always singing.
"He has a great mindset for the work and enjoys the work. He has done a great job leading that (defensive line) room. He continues to challenge those guys to step up -- these are our standards and you've got to play better.
"He'll also tell you that he needs to challenge himself. He's been a real joy to be around. He enjoys the process of getting better."
Process enjoyment includes an improved offensive line that has helped keep quarterback Connor Bazelak mostly out of harm's way. He's been sacked just once, against Illinois in the season opener, and he blames himself for not throwing the ball away. Still, offensive coordinator Walt Bell praised Bazelak's throw-away success and overall decision making.
"We won our first game because Connor threw the ball away in that two-minute drive," Bell said. "First down from the 5-yard line, there was an issue, and he gets the ball in the stands, which allows us to run a draw on second down which allows us to score on third."
Bell said quarterbacks have 2.85 seconds per pass play to make a decision and throw.
"You have that to figure it out. One of the biggest ills in dealing with a young or college quarterback is once they get past 2.85, of hanging onto the football and taking unnecessary sacks. Getting the ball out of your hands and throwing the ball away is a huge part of quarterbacking.
"Connor has only had six throw aways. That's a good thing. Of course, we would like that to all be completions, but I think the offensive line has done an awesome job in pass protection and Connor has done a good job getting the ball out of his hands."
Redshirt junior left guard Mike Katic agreed.
"Connor is awesome," Katic said. "He's a good dude. He makes sure we're all right and that the O-line is performing.
"He makes the right calls. He has a good pocket presence. He gets out of the pocket or throws away the ball. He makes us look good. Keeping him clean is our biggest responsibility."
A much-needed running game found its form in the second half against Idaho last Saturday thanks to an offensive line blasting open big holes.
"As a unit we were very cohesive and played well," Katic said.
"We have a lot of confidence as a unit and in the running backs and quarterback. They hit the holes and make the right calls."
Bell and offensive line coach Darren Hiller set the tone.
"There was a big emphasis on running the ball," Katic said. "We knew we had a lot on our shoulders. Coach Bell and Coach Hiller put us in the right spots. They called a great game."
Losing standout lineman Matthew Bedford to a season-ending torn ACL was offset by the strong play of senior Parker Hanna, a junior college transfer making his first major college start.
"It didn't faze him," Katic says. "He's an older guy. He has a lot of experience. There's not a big drop off from Matt to Parker in terms of experience and knowing the game.
"Parker brings leadership. He's a smart guy. He's long, plays physical and has a great finish."
Allen seeks to continue the strong offense from last week's second half, when IU scored 35 points.
"I'm looking for consistency and a strong first-quarter start and be able to play at a high level right out of the gate," he said. "To be able to execute for four quarters.
"It is about us doing our jobs. We have to be very consistent up front in our technique, in our run game technique, and in our pass protection techniques."
Allen expects an attacking, aggressive Western Kentucky defense.
"We have to understand the way they are going to bring pressure. They do a really good job on third downs and give you a lot of different looks. For me, it is more about us doing a great job of reacting to what we are going to see."
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