Can Change Spark the Hoosiers at No. 2 Michigan?
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Change matters. Status quo sometimes gets you beat.
Case in point -- the Indiana Hoosiers.
Tom Allen wants to win. His Hoosiers (2-3) want to win. Saturday they face No. 2 Michigan (6-0) and things will be different -- in the offensive coordinator, in the practice preparation, in the approach.
“I’m trying to create some change to create a different outcome for our guys,” Allen said.
Rod Carey has replaced Walt Bell as the offensive coordinator. Thanks to the bye, he’s basically had two weeks to implement his system and style.
“I like his personality toward the guys,” Allen said. “He’s very professional. Very business-like. He has a good rapport with them. They know him, which is huge.
“He’s done a good job with the energy we have on offense. We made a change for a reason. I like what I’ve seen so far, but all that matters is how you play on game day.”
Coaches ratcheted up the practice intensity this past week by having the main offensive and defensive players go at it in addition to scout team players.
“A lot of it is the quality of the reps, the intensity of the reps,” Allen said. “We felt it was necessary. I think the players did, too. Time will tell the benefit, but right now, I think it’s been a good next step.”
A big key for Saturday and beyond will be short-yardage success. IU has struggled in this area, most noticeably when it failed to convert on fourth-and-goal late in the game against Louisville.
Carey’s experience with coaching the offensive line could help.
“There’s no question we have to be better there,” Allen said. “It starts up front. It’s also execution and communication and taking some things off the quarterback and making it more on the call itself and letting those guys come off the ball and be physical.”
Carey and offensive line coach Bob Bostad are working to improve that area.
“They work well together,” Allen said. “That’s important as we move forward. We have to capitalize on those situations and convert. We have not done a good job at that. That’s a huge emphasis going forward.”
Another emphasis is strong quarterback play in general. That challenge is magnified given the noise from Michigan’s 110,000-strong crowd.
“It intensifies the challenge,” Allen said. “We won’t hide from that. It’s a tough environment, and they’re really good. There will be schematic challenges. Physical challenges. It will be loud. It’s important for us to respond well with a young quarterback.
“We have to continue to grow and build as an offense.”
Tayven Jackson completes 61.7 percent of his passes for 862 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.
“I want to see him play better,” Allen said. “He and I have talked. He agrees with me.”
Carey has also taken over coaching the quarterbacks, which include Brendan Sorsby and Dexter Williams II.
“It’s been good,” Allen said. “Coach Bell did a great job of working with those guys. Rod didn’t coach them, but was around them. He knew them. That’s an important part.
“I sat in all the quarterback meetings. I like the way he handles them. The guys have responded well to him. There’s a good base to that relationship. It’s gone to another level now that he’s spending more time coaching them on the field.
“The essence of coaching is the correction of errors. How do you do that? How do you handle that? He has a good demeanor in how he handles our guys.
“I’m excited about that room and having Rod leading them.”
Quarterbacks aren’t the only ones who must play better, Allen added.
“I want all our guys to know that in every position, we’ve got to play better. Offensive line. Running backs. Receivers. Tight ends. The whole offense. The whole defense.
“Guys have got to perform. Coaches have to perform. I have to perform. The buck stops with me, and I have to make the hard decisions. Players have to play well. It’s my responsibility and our coaches’ responsibility to put them in position to play their very best.”
One such player is receiver Donaven McCulley, who has 18 catches for 208 yards and one touchdown. He’s gotten chances at slot receiver as well as his normal outside role. That’s likely to continue under Carey.
“I’m familiar with the slot,” McCulley said. “It’s not a big leap. I can play the slot or outside. It doesn’t matter. I’m comfortable either way.”
As far as the biggest difference between the positions, McCulley says it’s the release off the line.
“Outside, you have a guy who’s pressed most of the time. Inside, a guy is 10 to 12 yards off.”