Media Monday: Kevin Wilson Recaps OSU and Previews Nebraska

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson met with members of the media to talk about the loss at Ohio State and the upcoming homecoming game against No. 10 Nebraska.

Coach Wilson

Wilson wanted to send his thoughts with those affected by Hurricane Matthew. IU has many players from the states that were hit. The good news is that everyone is ok. 

“we send thoughts to a lot of people down there. We gotta lot of family and friends, players have friends and family in North Florida, Central Florida, up through the Carolinas. All of our families are well”

Nebraska is a relatively new opponent for IU. Wilson draws some similarities between them and Ohio State citing their offensive traits. 

“We have not faced these guys but you see them from afar, probably don't know them as well as Ohio State, but there are similar traits offensively with line play, running game, a great quarterback that can make a lot of plays and speed on the perimeter. Defensively, solid, 160 running, 190 passing, 360 yards a game. They're not giving up big plays. They're making you snap it again. Just like Ohio State, they're 36 minutes time of possession. They keep the ball from you and they do great on offense which helps their defense. They are plus-4 on the turnover ratio.”

Freshman A’shon Riggins earned his first career start on Saturday. Wilson was quick to compare him to Rashard Fant, but longer and bigger. 

“He's very smart. Got a lot of traits, similar to Rashard Fant. He's bigger and longer than Rashard, but Rashard is intellectual, very smart, and I think A'Shon is the same way. I think with intelligence sometimes you can play faster because you can see it, process and anticipate. So for a young player he's got a good head on his shoulder, he's level-headed. He is big and long. Where we've had trouble in years past our secondary has been smaller. We're better there. Tackling in better space. Playing with leverage and keeping the play in front of us. As a young player he's very mature, same high school as Marcus Oliver. Solid program, good bracket of football in Cincinnati, coming out of Hamilton High School, very good basketball player in high school, good receiver, good ball skills."

Wilson addressed junior Rashard Fant raising his fist during the National Anthem in protest of racial inequality in the United States.

“We talked back in preseason about it. We didn't know in our script that, it said come out at the 5-minute mark. We come out here at the 6 or 7-minute mark. So we had no clue what was going on. It wasn't on the agenda, so we didn't say anything about it before the game. We did talk with our team, I think it is one thing to be respectful of the people that have served our country, and there are many genders and races that have done that, and let's be respectful of what the flag stands for.

But no one tells you whether to salute or put your hand on your chest, sway or put your eyes down or whatever. So I appreciate the fact that our kids stood and what I really appreciate is he plays well enough. It's one thing to talk, but when you play you gotta slightly -- I appreciate the way you play, and I think it's one thing to be a guy talking, but when a guy is performing, I think one of the guys quoted said that's one of the more mature, intellectual kids.”

Quick-Hitters

Players of the Week

Offense- None
Defense- A’shon Riggins (CB)
Special Teams- Joseph Gedeon (P)

Scout Offense- Zander Diamont (QB), Ricky Brookins (RB/WR), Alex Rodriguez (RB)
Scout Defense- Allen Stallings (DE)

Injuries

Jacob Robinson- Concussion held him out of the last two contests. Wilson says he has been doing more, but had no firm word on whether he is in or out. 

Cole Gest- Ankle injury suffered in the Wake Forest game held him out against MSU and OSU. No timetable given, but Wilson said he was running again.

Dan Feeney- Travelled with the team to OSU, but did not dress. Wilson said he was “doing more”.