“Finish’ Tops IU’s Priority List Against Kennesaw State
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Of course, it’s about finishing for Indiana, about ending drives with touchdowns, about scoring red zone touchdowns, powering it over the goal line if possible, finessing it over if necessary.
The No. 23/21 Hoosiers (1-0), says center Pat Coogan, have learned their lessons from their 27-14 Old Dominion victory; they are determined to capitalize on every opportunity Saturday against Kennesaw State (0-1) at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium.
It starts with the offensive line and the key, Coogan says, is “focus.”
“The focus on detail has to be there because that's where we lacked,” Coogan says while reflecting on IU’s inability to twice score from inside the 5-yard line, as well as other lost opportunities, in the season opener. The Hoosiers, says head coach Curt Cignetti, missed out on a possible 35 more points.
“No one can shy away from it,” Coogan says. “An offensive line has to pride itself on finishing down there, on finishing any drive at any point, and we didn’t do that. We fell short of that goal. We all have to be accountable.
“There were some detailed components that (we have to do). At the goal line, those small details that sometimes can get brushed aside, they have to be on point.”
Even without finishing to program standards, the Hoosiers rushed for 309 yards last Saturday while racking up more than 500 total yards.
“We have positive things we can take away," Coogan says. “We targeted the box really well. (Old Dominion) presented a unique defense that some teams do have trouble with.
“We played on the same play page; we played together; we ran the ball well, but at the same time, it wasn't up to par. We have to finish better. Everyone has to take accountability for that, and everyone has taken accountability for that.
“It's an exciting time to move to Week Two and improve on what we did not do well, which was finish drives.”
Cignetti made a similar point during his Thursday night radio show with Voice of the Hoosiers Don Fischer.
“There’s not a lot to talk about with the kids,” Cignetti says. “They understand where we have to improve. In life, anytime you do something a second time, you’re always a lot better.”
As far as the running game, Roman Hemby led with 111 yards in his IU debut after transferring from Maryland. Kaelon Black had 92 yards. Lee Beebe Jr., an Alabama-Birmingham transfer, added 73 yards.
“Credit to them, they hit (the holes),” Coogan says. “You can see the explosiveness in them from the jump. We're just trying to do our jobs. That's what we do as offensive linemen, we do our jobs and open holes for those way more athletic and talented guys to hit them.
“I’m proud of those guys. It's onward and upward for sure.”
Defensively, IU allowed quarterback touchdown runs of 75 and 78 yards. Otherwise, it held Old Dominion to 161 total yards and zero points. Only 96 of those yards came by the pass.
“I definitely feel like we're getting better as we get more game reps,” cornerback D’Angelo Ponds says about the secondary play. “We are good in our subs. They didn't cross the 50 (yard-line) besides those runs. We are getting better, but we need to progress fast.”
Kennesaw State opened the season with a 10-9 loss at Wake Forest, missing an extra point and a field goal.
Quarterback Dexter Williams II played at Indiana, with injuries limiting him to four games, including a memorable win at Michigan State. Against Wake Forest, he completed 12-of-33 passes for 149 yards. He also rushed for 44 yards.
Running back Coleman Bennett ran for 66 yards and a touchdown. Receiver Gabriel Benyard caught five passes for 103 yards.
Coach Jerry Mack runs an up-tempo, no-huddle attack with players sprinting back to the line of scrimmage after each play. Kennesaw State needed just over three minutes on its 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive against Wake Forest.
“Their offense can go really, really fast at warp speed,” Cignetti says. “They'll change the tempos. They have an athletic quarterback that spent some time here. He’s a senior.
“They've got a lot of older guys in general on their team and in starting roles. (Benyard) is a really good player. (Bennett) is a really good player, too.
“They're going to use the field. The biggest adjustment will be when they do go warp speed, getting the calls in, getting lined up, and keeping the quarterback contained.”
On defense, Kennesaw State held Wake Foret to 130 rushing yards and 2.8 yards per carry. The Owls had four sacks, including one by defensive lineman Donovan Westmoreland, a South Carolina transfer.
“Defensively, I'm impressed,” Cignetti says. “They're fundamental. They're well coached. They're in the right place. They run around well. They tackle. They're tough.”