Focus Forward -- Versatile Ferrell Playing Beyond His Years
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Complacency? Are you kidding? The Indiana Hoosiers (3-0) insist they won’t fall into that trap, won’t let a dominating victory at UCLA influence how they prepare and play for Charlotte (1-2) this Saturday at Memorial Stadium, for Maryland after that and for the rest of the Big Ten schedule after that.
“You move on to the next opponent,” rover Amare Ferrell says. “Don’t worry about the last game. Focus on the next game.”
Head coach Curt Cignetti has made that approach one of the cornerstones of a coach that has never had a losing season.
“He demands perfection every day,” Ferrell says. “It helps us in the game. If we’re perfect in practice, that leads to the games.”
As far as the UCLA victory, Ferrell says, “A lot of people were doubting us. We wanted to go out there and make a statement. That was the main thing.”
They did, of course, delivering a nationally-televised showcase for what a Cignetti-coached team looks like -- well coached, efficient, tough minded, and relentless.
“Everybody was playing fast, physical, and relentless,” Ferrell says. “Everybody was running to the ball. Everybody was communicating. It’s the same thing we preach in practice.”
Ferrell has taken that preaching to the next level. His focus finds him, as a true sophomore, one of IU’s youngest starters, playing ahead of a five-year college defensive back veteran -- Terry Jones Jr. -- who started 26 games at Old Dominion before transferring to IU.
“It feels good playing DB,” he says. “It gives you a chance to show off your versatility and play different spots on the field. I feel I’ve been doing a good job in learning those responsibilities.”
In three games in defensive coordinator Bryant Haines’ aggressive scheme, Ferrell has two interceptions and nine tackles. Opposing quarterbacks have targeted him eight times and he’s allowed four catches for 14 yards.
“You see him building weekly on his successes and playing with more confidence,” Cignetti says.
Building, Ferrell says, starts with good coaching.
“I give the credit to Coach Haines. He puts us in position to make those plays.”
The rover position isn’t for the timid or hesitant given its all-over-the-field responsibilities.
“Versatility is an important part of rover,” Cignetti says, “because you've got to be good against the run and the pass.”
Ferrell was very good at UCLA with an interception, a sack and six tackles.
However, it came with a coaching moment when Ferrell capped his fourth-quarter interception with an end zone celebration.
In another universe and maybe with another coach, this might have been fine. In this universe with this coach, whose background includes four seasons at Alabama with no-nonsense Nick Saban, perhaps the best college coach in any sport in history, a one-sided conversation followed.
Cignetti’s message -- act like you’ve made big plays before, celebrate with your teammates on the sideline.
“I just wish, when he intercepts the pass,” Cignetti says, “he wouldn't run toward the end zone. Championship programs don't do that.”
Ferrell insists he gets it.
“It’s all on me. I have to act like I’ve made a great play before instead of doing the selfish things I did.
“When you get a turnover, go straight to the sidelines and be with the team. I didn’t do that. That’s why he got on me. There won’t be no next time. Big-time players make big-time plays in the biggest moments. Act like you’ve made them before.”
Cignetti wins because he demands where others might settle; he maintains his sense of what’s right where others might waffle.
“It shows he holds everybody to a certain standard,” Ferrell says.
It helps that Ferrell is playing beyond his years. Part of it comes from last year’s playing time as a true freshman, when he played in all 12 games and totaled 10 tackles, including seven against Rutgers
Then came plenty of rover work in spring practice and August camp.
“I was able to show the different things I can do,” Ferrell says. “Last year, I played a lot of roles, but really no high safety or strong safety. This year I’m playing all of them and learning more things.
“It’s not as challenging as it was last year. The game has slowed down for me -- playing two different positions and seeing different things at those positions.”
Ferrell could have transferred at the end of last season, as so many Hoosiers did in the wake of the coaching transition. Ferrell had no intention of doing that, especially after talking to Cignetti, Haines and safeties/defensive backs coach Ola Adams.
“It wasn’t my time to leave,” Ferrell said. “Everything happens for a reason. With Coach Cignetti coming in, I knew he had a winning program. I knew he was a great coach. I wanted to play for him.
“I knew I was going to stay. I didn’t know how everything would work out. After talking to Coach Cignetti, Coach Adams and Coach Haines, they told me what position I would be playing. I was fine with that.”
Ferrell is reaping the benefits, with more work ahead.
“I’m working on being more consistent day in and day out. Giving it to the best of my ability every play.”