Hoosiers Continue Prep for No. 2 Michigan
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Jaylin Lucas is a confident guy -- confident in himself and in the Indiana football team.
A 2-3 record and recent team struggles haven’t shaken that.
Saturday’s game at No. 2 Michigan (6-0) and its best-in-the-nation defense (6.7 points allowed per game) is a chance to prove what the Hoosiers can do.
“We’re coming in very confident,” the sophomore says. “It will come down to how we drive and move the ball. We have to put points on the board against a team like Michigan. It will come down to who wants it more.”
The Hoosiers, Lucas adds, want it in a big way.
“We can play against a defense like Michigan. They have some great guys. A great D-line. As long as we do what we’re able to do, we’ll be able to battle against them.”
There is no intimidation, he says. Only anticipation.
Lucas can be a catalyst with his ability to run (212 yards), catch (140 yards), and return (207 yards). He has a team-leading 559 all-purpose yards. Receiver Cam Camper is next at 249.
That impact could be amplified under new offensive coordinator Rod Carey, who has had two weeks to tweak the offense, spark the play calling, and boost the scoring of an offense (20.8 points a game) that ranks 12th in the Big Ten in points scored, ahead of only Illinois (19.2) and Nebraska (19.0).
“Coach Carey emphasizes that everything is done the correct way,” Lucas says. “We’re redoing plays over and over and making sure we perfect our craft any way we can, that we execute it in the right way.”
Carey had been the offensive quality control coach before head coach Tom Allen removed offensive coordinator Walt Bell after the Sept. 30 loss at Maryland and replaced him with Carey, a former college head coach and offensive coordinator.
“In that first meeting, he stressed being confident,” Lucas says. “Be who we are. That’s what he’s emphasizing. Nothing has changed, it’s just the execution. He wants everything done as perfect as possible.”
Receiver Donaven McCulley says Carey’s style is all about simplicity.
“He tries to stick to what works. We’re not focusing on a certain type of offense. Do what works for us. Finding good ways to put guys in position to make plays. Giving us more opportunities to make plays.”
IU has had some success going with an uptempo attack.
“Tempo keeps our momentum going,” McCulley says. “It helps us keep things rolling. If that’s what we do best, that’s a good place to start.”
One emphasis has been faster starts. IU fell behind Louisville and Maryland by 21 points en route to recent defeats. Coaches have addressed that by changing the practice structure.
“We’ve changed how we do walk-throughs before practice,” Lucas says. “It’s execution. That’s what it comes down to. We want to start fast. That’s what we’ve been emphasizing. Be the best we can be.”