Injured Hoosiers Try to Finish the Season Strong

Written by Matt Smith

After one of the best seasons in Indiana football history last year, the Hoosiers came into this year with high expectations. The Hoosiers did not live up to those expectations and have had a disappointing season. 

The Hoosiers have faced many injuries throughout the season to their quarterback room as well as the secondary.

“Same as last week,” Tom Allen said during his Thursday press conference.  “Guys are working through everything, and we are trying to get them ready. Don't know for sure yet on Michael [Penix Jr.] and Jack [Tuttle], but just working and throwing and trying to get them better. We are seeing progress, but we will have to see. We will make a decision tomorrow.”

Many people question if the Hoosiers will still play hard throughout the rest of the season with nothing to play for. Allen said practice this week has gone well so far.

“It has been good. Guys are working hard, and we are just trying to work through everything and continue to motivate them and have them motivate each other to work to come together and finish. It is a special day for the seniors, recognizing these guys that have come here and done so much for our program,” Allen said.

For the seniors playing their last couple of games for the Hoosiers, it has been a roller coaster four years for the players. They have experienced many highs and many lows during their career and Allen appreciates them all.

“ A lot of quality young men, without question. A lot of really good players and guys that are special to me because they came here and believed in what we could build before it happened on the field,” Allen said. “We really had a chance to recruit these guys and help develop them and be a part of their lives. You will miss the relationships, the daily contact with them and being around them. It is just a lot of really high-quality guys that I have poured my heart into, and they have poured their hearts into this program.”

Allen said that this season has been unlike any other season that he has coached through. He wants his guys to stay together and stay positive throughout the rest of the season and the offseason. 

There are some players that will take the extra year given to them because of Covid, and Allen is excited to see what that opportunity will offer.

“We have already had some of those conversations for situations that we feel like we know more about at this point. Guys making decisions about their pro careers that have a year left, that will take some time. We have a whole process that we go through with that and that will begin as soon as the season is over,” Allen said.