Homecoming Hopes – Carter, Hoosiers Stay ‘On the Attack’
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Andre Carter has no time for gloom and doom, no use for those who dwell on failure and not opportunity.
Indiana’s senior defensive end, a Western Michigan transfer, is a Hoosier for just one season and is making the most of it.
Beating Rutgers (5-2) in Saturday’s Homecoming Game, and winning at least four of the last six regular season games to earn bowl eligibility, is all that matters.
“We’re attacking it,” Carter says. “We can’t wait to get back to work. We have six more opportunities. We have to meet them with everything we did in the first half against Michigan, bottle that up and use it for four quarters and beyond. Continue to get after it.”
For the first 19 minutes against Michigan last Saturday, and for 25 second-half minutes against Louisville last month, IU thrived on offense and defense. It showed what was possible when everyone was dialed in.
“Everybody sees it,” Carter says. “We see it. We have to do it for a full 60 minutes. If we do that, we’ll be great.”
Greatness comes from consistency IU hasn’t sustained. Struggles, Carter says, hasn’t stripped the Hoosiers of hope. There are quality players, resilient players, players determined to put it all together for as long as necessary. The 6-foot-5, 270-pound Carter has done his part with 22 tackles, 6.0 for loss.
“We don’t have to motivate this team,” he says. “We know we have six opportunities left. Everyone is scratching and clawing. We really want a bowl game. We know how we have to attack it. This team is ready to get after it.”
Head coach Tom Allen keeps pushing that approach.
“You’ve got to understand what your goals are,” he says. “The fact they are all still in front of you, still available to you, is a great motivator.”
Defeat can blunt motivation. Allen, his staff, and team leaders have addressed it.
“You focus on the daily process and the consistency of your preparation. The little things every day to create the change you’re looking for on game day. We have to keep bringing the energy to have that grit that allows you to have perseverance and passion toward those goals.”
As for all the outside negativity, ignore it.
“You do not get discouraged,” Allen says. “You don’t doubt yourself. Stay the course.
“Is that hard to do? Absolutely. That’s why you spend so much time individually addressing it. You bring the energy, the focus, and let the guys follow that lead.”
On offense, IU expects to have running back Josh Henderson, who has missed the last three games with an injury. In three games, he’s rushed for 91 yards, and caught six passes for 88 more.
“Josh is a good player,” offensive coordinator Rod Carey says. “He’s played a lot of good football with his protection, his running, his ability to catch the ball. I’m excited to get him back.”
In his new role, Carey says the Hoosiers are, “redirecting what we’re doing and how we’re doing it.”
“There are no wholesale changes,” he says. “We hope that will alleviate some of the struggles. In glimpses, we have done well. We’re trying to get those glimpses bigger. We’re constantly talking to the guys, focus on this, focus on that.”
As far as naming a starting quarterback between Tayven Jackson and Brendan Sorsby, that remains a Saturday announcement.
There remains a possibility that quarterback Dexter Williams II could play. He’s been out since last season with a knee injury, but has worked his way back. He has gotten some practice reps.
“It’s a step-by-step process,” Allen says. “We want to make sure he feels good about himself and his ability to be out there. We want to make sure he’s fully ready to go.”
Whoever plays quarterback will face a rugged Rutgers defense. It ranks fifth nationally in passing yards allowed (160.6), eighth in total defense (277.3 yards allowed), and 12th in scoring defense (16.0 points).
Linebackers Tyreem Powell, Deion Jennings, and Mohamed Toure have combined for 137 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
“They are good in the core of their defense,” Allen says. “They are big and strong. They have length at linebacker. They are disciplined in their fits. They play hard and keep things in front of them. They make you earn everything.”
Running back Kyle Monangai leads the Big Ten with 635 rushing yards. He has seven rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Gavin Wimsatt has thrown for 1,095 yards and seven touchdowns, and rushed for 219 yards and four TDs.
“There is a toughness to them,” Allen says. “They take a lot of pride in that.”