Notes and Quotes From IUFB's Ohio State Week Media Session

By David Sugarman (@David_Sugarman2)

It’s officially game week and earlier today head coach Tom Allen, offensive coordinator Mike DeBord and several players met with members of the media. Among the big talking points were keeping focus despite the magnitude of the Ohio State game, Richard Lagow’s improvement and a surprising depth chart move. Here are today’s notes and quotes:

Tom Allen:

Roster Updates:

Quarterback Austin King has decided to transfer from Indiana. Where he’ll go next is uncertain. Shortly after Allen announced it King released a statement on Twitter thanking Coach Allen and explaining his decision process. King was coming into the season as the fourth QB on the depth chart and was going to struggle to crack into the rotation barring injury.  

Allen also announced that Omari Stringer will not be on the roster this season due to injury. He will serve as a student assistant. No further comment was made on what his future with the program might be.

Allen said there was no decision made yet on Simmie Cobbs headed into opening night after he was arrested and charged with resisting law enforcement last month.

It was also revealed on the depth chart for this week that Donovan Hale is listed as a number one receiver over Nick Westbrook. Westbrook had a breakout season last year, going for nearly 1,000 yards. Both Allen and offensive coordinator Mike DeBord said Hale impressed in camp.

“Donavan had a tremendous fall camp and it's all about competition here at Indiana. Nobody's guaranteed a spot. Nick's worked hard, done a lot of good things, been highly competitive at several positions. And obviously they're both going to play a tremendous amount.”

Allen also announced game captains for the opener which can change every week. For this week it’s Tegray Scales, Greg Gooch, Richard Lagow and Wes Martin.

A reoccurring theme throughout the day was Richard Lagow’s improvement. Particularly in his confidence and the confidence his teammates have in him.

“Yeah, I think the biggest thing is the confidence to confront your teammates. That's hard to do. You know, if you're going to run something, you've got to run it. I demand the same thing of the linebackers. They've got to run the defense. If a guy is out of position or doesn't do his job, they've got to have the courage and the confidence to stand -- in the right way; correct them. Whether it's a technical thing or, you know, an assignment or just effort. You know, so just seeing him grow in that is a big thing, also just communication.”

Mike DeBord:

DeBord had high praise for the improvement of Richard Lagow and many of the talks he’s had with Lagow over the offseason have been about making the easier and safer play.

“You don’t have to be a hero. Just be a quarterback.”

Debord also discussed how the offense will be much more tight end heavy, particularly Ian Thomas.

“Offense is suited for a tight end who can run.”

Ian Thomas:

Thomas knows his role this year will involve much more catching.

“My role this year is being a playmaker and blocking. Just doing plays and fitting in wherever need be.”

“Last year I had more of a blocking role. So this year it’s more tight ends running down field, catching balls a lot more.”

Thomas has a connection with Richard Lagow having both played at the JUCO level. Thomas praised Lagow for his improvement as a leader.

“Richard stepped up big time. Especially leading the team as the quarterback. I know he came in last year as the quarterback, but I guess some guys didn’t really trust him. As we went on through camp he’s gained a lot of trust through our teammates and just leading the team through camp and it’s been good.”

Tegray Scales:

Scales was asked about being from Ohio and playing against the Buckeyes on opening night and made it perfectly clear where his loyalty lies after being asked if there was any extra incentive because of the coincidence.

“Not really. Like I said I do go to Indiana. I play for my teammates. I’m from Ohio and that is true, but like I said I’m an Indiana Hoosier now and that’s who I’m playing for now, my brothers to the left and right of me.”

There are a lot of distractions rolling into town this week between ESPN and College Gameday, but Scales is focused and making sure everyone else is too.

“It’s very exciting. People don’t get this opportunity that often. It’s our freshman’s first game so they’re coming into an environment where it’s going to be crazy. So just trying to keep them on the right track and positive things. Make sure they focus on the game and not really on the outside stuff."

Richard Lagow:

Lagow talked about his development as both a leader and a quarterback over the offseason.

“It was something that needed to happen. What went into it was I had to get really familiar with my teammates and know how to talk to each one of them. I think when you get more familiar with people, you get more comfortable with them. Being a leader or knowing when you need to call somebody out or hold them accountable for a mistake they might’ve made. There’s a lot that goes into being a leader on a football team. You got to show up every day. You got to make sure you’re on top of your stuff before you can call someone out for not being on their stuff.”

Lagow didn’t try to cover up the jitters that will be there on Thursday night, but talked about doing his best to keep them below the surface during the day.

“That’s a great question. It’s hard. You need and want to have that energy, but it’s a late game. So you can’t wake up at 7 a.m. and start jamming out and be ready to go because you got 12 hours until you play a game. That’s a great question. You got to roll with the day, you got to sit in your meetings and be locked in and focused. Try not to get really excited until you’re at the stadium and are getting through pre game I guess.”

Lagow was asked about his receiving core and the chatter that they could be the best in the nation.

“I think that they deserve all the credit and recognition and whatever you want to call it, they deserve all of it. I think it’s accurate. They are a very talented group. You got size, you got speed and more importantly you have a work ethic throughout the entire group that is not common. There work ethic is not common throughout college football I don’t think. From the places I’ve been, it’s not something you see all the time. A group as a whole that works as hard as they do and they all want each other to do well.”

Lagow also touched on Mike DeBord’s advice to be a quarterback rather than a hero.

“Quarterbacks love to throw the football. I don’t think it’s hard at all to check the ball down if there’s nobody open. I think the harder ones are you think he might come open. You know they’re kind of even, let me take a chance type throw. Those are just instincts. And if you throw those balls and they’re jump balls and give your receivers a chance, those are 50-50 at that point. Those are the ones I had to train myself, you got to have an instinct for it. I think we got him here or no he’s not going to get him let me check it down.”