Edgy, Humble, Hungry – It’s All There for Rose Bowl-Bound Hoosiers
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The edge won’t go away. It never does. Not if center Pat Coogan and linebacker Aiden Fisher have any say in the matter, which they do in a big-time way as top-seed Indiana (13-0) prepares for its New Year's Day Rose Bowl playoff quarterfinal opportunity against ninth-seed Alabama (11-3).
The 26-day playing break from the epic 13-10 Big Ten title game victory over Ohio State that snapped a 30-game losing streak to the Buckeyes and the ensuing celebrations, followed by a historic Heisman Trophy win for quarterback Fernando Mendoza that was capped by a New York City Times Square share-the-glory-with-teammates revelry, all of which could rip the focus from even the most disciplined group?
No problem.
“It starts with mentality,” Coogan says. “It’s the ability to not relax. We take a few days to get our bodies right. It’s been a long four months of the season. We’ve earned the right to have time off.
“We can’t use it to relax. There are areas to improve. You have to have the urgency to improve. Use these three weeks to the best of our ability. Improve in every facet so that come Jan. 1, we can perform at our highest level and be the best version of us.”
Demonstrating that best version against a resilient Alabama team that overcame a 17-0 deficit on the road to beat Oklahoma Friday night in its playoff opener is critical under playoff pressure. Anything less can mean defeat.
“Competitively, I don’t think this team needs to do anything extra,” Fisher says. “With the way we practice and lift and run, we’re always talking to each other. If somebody isn’t doing the best job, we’ll let them hear it. We’ll make sure we’re not getting complacent.”
This is what exceptional leaders do, and these Hoosiers have a roster full of them. A big key is what Fisher calls “self-scouting,” with each player objectively evaluating what needs to improve and working to achieve it.
“Self-scout is huge,” Fisher says. “Even in that (Ohio State) game, there were things we need to clean up. The little things that we got beat on will be big. Every player has to look at himself and ask, is there anything I can do to improve right now? Maybe it’s your stance that an offense can see. Little things like technique, alignment. Everything up to your assignment.
“We have more time for improvement to get better.”
Staying “humble and hungry” is among the motivational tools head coach Curt Cignetti uses to keep his players focused. Coogan, who transferred from Notre Dame after the Irish’s run to the national title game last season, is all in. Beating Ohio State for the first time since 1988 was just a step in a longer journey designed to end in a national championship.
“I know the type of mindset and type of mentality we have,” Coogan says. “We all have a ton left to play for. We all know that (beating Ohio State) was a huge step for us, a huge moment for us, a historic moment for us. We also know it's not the end of the road for us. We know we have a ton left to play for. At the end of the day, all of our goals are still in front of us.”
The Ohio State victory, perhaps the best in program history, showcased a Hoosier defense that, while not flawless, held one of the nation’s best offenses to just 10 points and 58 rushing yards.
“We did a lot of ugly things,” Fisher says, “but when it came to the biggest moments, that’s when we shined as a team.
“We limited their explosive plays and forced them to make mistakes. We weren’t going to be the ones who gave up a blown coverage. Force them to make mistakes and make them uncomfortable.”
Uncomfortable is a trademark of a defensive coordinator Bryant Haines-led unit. The Hoosiers enter the playoffs ranked second nationally in scoring defense (10.8 points allowed per game), third in rushing defense (77.6 yards a game), and sixth in total defense (257.2 yards). They are second nationally with 112 tackles for loss and fourth with 39 sacks.
They will face an Alabama offense, directed by offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and head coach Kalen DeBoer, that averages 31.4 points and 380.1 total yards.
DeBoer spent one season as IU’s offensive coordinator in 2019 before taking head coaching jobs at Fresno State, Washington, and then Alabama. His Hoosier offense averaged 31.8 points and 432.8 total yards a game.
The quarterbacks coach is Nick Sheridan, a former IU offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
The Crimson Tide defense under defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, a former Hoosier defensive coordinator, allows 17.9 points and 288.9 total yards.
This will be IU’s second Rose Bowl appearance and the first since its 14-3 loss to top-ranked USC in the 1968 game.
“This is the granddaddy of all the bowls,” Coogan says. “I’ve had so many family and friends text me that they will be there. We’re all very excited.”