Notes and Quotes From Tom Allen's Media Monday (Nebraska)

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Media Monday Notebook

Indiana head coach Tom Allen took to the podium for Media Monday to discuss the team’s 45-24 loss at Cincinnati and the upcoming trip to Nebraska.

Notes:

o   Players of the Week: Scout Team: Will Jontz, Luke Wiginton and Mitchell Evans

Injuries

WR D.J. Matthews- “Not a long-term injury, but he will be day to day this week. We don't know yet about Saturday. But definitely not long-term situation.” 

C Zach Carpenter- “Obviously trying to see if we can get Zach back, that's going to be a huge priority this week, how that affects us.”

Quotes:

TOM ALLEN: 

Opening Statement:

“Appreciate you guys being here today. Just good day with our guys. Focused on things we need to get corrected. Proud of our guys for the fight in the second half. Obviously dug a huge hole for ourselves that we couldn't overcome. But made some adjustments. Didn't make enough plays when we had to in the second half.

So, 3-1 on the season, 1-0 in the Big Ten. Huge opportunity this week as we head to Lincoln. 

I do want to recognize some guys that continue to give us tremendous effort on our scout teams. Jeff Utzinger was selected as defensive scout team player of the week as well as special teams scout. Proud of him and his development and effort. 

Will Jontz and Luke Wiginton, offensive scout team players of the week. Mitchell Evans once again scout team player of the week, as well. Those guys are doing a tremendous job. They're developing themselves but also helping us get prepared each and every week. Appreciate everything they give this program.”

Allen Discussed Improving the Offensive Line:

“Yeah, it's definitely a focus for sure. Didn't play the way we have to up front, without question. Some of the issues were collective. It wasn't just them. But definitely they're a part of it as well. 

It's something that we've worked hard on. We're going to have to look at adjusting maybe some of the five we play with, just try to find the best combination that we have to go with. That's obviously on the table, part of our discussions, trying to get the best five guys on the field each and every time we play. 

The bottom line is they have to perform, be able to execute our run and throw game. That wasn't done consistently on Saturday. High priority for us. 

To me, our guys are there. Losing Matt was tough. Losing Zach was tough. The other guys got to continue to step up. Younger guys got to keep being developed. To me that's part of it. Other positions, guys grow, develop, other guys got to step up when other guys go down. 

For me, as we go through and adjust with this year's offense, try to help them be more successful. It continues to be a priority and it's something we're going to keep working on.”

Allen Talked About the Offensive Line Rotations:

“I would say just trying to give those guys the best chance to be successful. If a guy is not getting the job done, then we have tried to make those changes. 

Obviously, Josh got a chance to play. He's young but he needs to keep growing and developing. He's in the mix as well. Kahlil has played well. We're trying to bring Kahlil along; I think that has kind of been the rotational purpose for having him taking those reps with Tim. Just a dual purpose for that, to create more depth at that position. 

Obviously trying to see if we can get Zach back, that's going to be a huge priority this week, how that affects us. There are definitely some movement options for our offensive line. The bottom line is, whoever those five guys are on the field, they got to execute and give us a chance to be successful.”

On the Importance of the Nebraska Game:

“Yeah, there's no question that it's the most important game of the season because it's our next one. I believe that doesn't change. As you stated, the dynamics of last time we went there are different. But at the same time the magnitude of the game, they're a really good football team. Their offense is extremely talented, one of the best running backs will play the entire season. Talented quarterback, talented receivers, big offensive linemen. 

Obviously, they've had changes on the defensive side of the football. The head coach position, which is very unique situation that's been created because of that. 

At the same time, they're at home. They play really good at home. It's been their history in the past. They got a lot of pride in that program. 

I know we're going to get their very best shot. We have to be at our very best, no question. We just got to grow as a team. Our first road game last week, we didn't handle the situation the way we needed to early for sure. That gives us a chance to be able to go do that again, have the same flow, same schedule in regard to the travel piece of it. 

We're going to change up things we do this week with our guys to try to be able to create a faster start for our team. That is going to be happening on a daily basis. 

But the bottom line is, yes, this is a great opportunity for our football team to be able to play our second Big Ten game of the season, a very, very important Big Ten game, for sure.”

On What Lets the Linebackers Be Such Playmakers This Season:

“Yeah, I think it's a huge part of our defense. As I always have said, you can't have a great defense without great linebacker play. 

Bradley Jennings, I thought played his best game this past week, continues to grow in his knowledge of the defense and his ability to make plays. He's got a lot of natural talent. 

I think the common core with all those guys is, there's good twitch and burst to the ball, good explosiveness that you have to have as a linebacker. They're good tacklers. 

I think Aaron Casey has made the most growth. A couple plays on Saturday was impressive. Kind of like teach tape reads, reactions, fits, finishes on those tackles. He's really coming into his own. We need him to. He's big, physical, he can run.  

The length of those guys are all pretty long guys. 6'1" plus, 6'2" range. Dasan is 6'5". They have short air quickness and good instincts. They're able to burst to the football and get guys on the ground, which is the name of the game. 

You have to be productive, but you got to lead also. All those guys are growing in those areas. Cam has done a phenomenal job of leading by his example of being a verbal leader for the other guys in that room to see. That's a hard thing to do because you're putting yourself out there in front of the team sometimes. 

But just a group that we need to keep developing, keep growing as the year progresses. They got to keep making plays because that's what linebackers do.”

On How His Staff Responded to the First Loss:

“Well, it's interesting you say that because even talking to some of our new coaches, they were anxious to see how our team would respond at half. They've all coached this game for many, many years. Different teams have different responses. 

I wasn't surprised by the fact that our guys came out and fought and played well in the third quarter, gave us an opportunity two different times to have a chance to get it to a one-score game. 

I think they're recognizing and seeing that this team, program, has a lot of character to it, a lot of grit to it, a lot of toughness to it. We just got to play smarter, we got to play better for the whole game. 

I think those guys are seeing that. The attention to detail that's demanded for that. We're all responsible for it as coaches, making sure our guys are mentally and physically in every way possible ready to play their best football when that first whistle blows. 

We have a lot of coaches that we've added that have a lot of experience. They've done this a lot of different places, a lot of different levels. A couple of them, actually three of them, have done it at the highest level. That's to me what allows these guys to be able to help this team continue to grow and develop. 

It's part of every team as the season unfolds. You're going to have ups and downs, great wins, tough losses. You got to respond. So, this gives us our first chance this year following a setback to be able to come back and show and prove to ourselves, the people around us, the people that matter most, that we can be trusted and counted on as teammates. That's what I want our guys to do.”