Notes and Quotes: Tom Allen Press Conference August 16th, 2021

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Hoosiers entered their final week of fall camp on Monday. IU scrimmaged this past Saturday and head coach Tom Allen gave an update after practice.

Notes:

Injuries:

• David Ellis (Lower Leg) Day-to-day

• Sio Nofoagatoto’a (unspecified) Should be back tomorrow

Rankings:

• IU is ranked 17th in the preseason AP Poll

Tom Allen Quotes:

Opening Statement:

“We had a good scrimmage on Saturday, the first one of fall camp, and I thought the offense got the upper hand on the defense. They outperformed them. That is probably the first time that happened during fall camp for an extended amount of play, which was good to see, as well. I thought our defense responded really well today to that. It is a typical back-and-forth. Being the first full scrimmage, it is the most amount of live tackling that we have done: the tackling was okay but needs to get better. That is usually the case in the first [scrimmage]. I did think our offensive line blocked well, I thought we threw the ball well and ran the ball well [early in the scrimmage]. Then we had a little lull on offense and the defense started making plays and doing things the way I expected them to. It was good to have that opportunity and we got some good special teams work, as well. We just have to keep improving as a football team and moving forward.”

Allen expanded on what set the offense apart from the defense in Saturday’s scrimmage.

“I thought all three quarterbacks played well. And that is where it starts in terms of the rhythm, throwing the ball on time, and doing a good job of getting the ball to a lot of different guys. For that to happen, the offensive line did some good things. I thought we were physical on the offensive line and something that is being emphasized and we are working really hard on - that unit playing well. I thought they did some good things. Just the timing on offense, and you have kind of seen that coming. The last couple of days with the things that we do with routes on air and all the things with the timing of our receivers and tight ends. I like our tight ends room, I like our receivers room, then the running backs, we have several guys there, as well. I think as a collective group, they put it all together, which is what you want to see. I also think the defense kind of dominated for several days in a row, and you kind of have that unfortunate human nature to let up a little bit and think it is going to kind of go as its been, and it wasn't that way. Then [the offense] starts making plays and you have to see who responds to that. I thought our offense did a really good job executing and I thought our defense wasn't as sharp as it probably needs to be.”

IU does not have a quarterback controversy, but they do have two experienced players who have started big games. Allen addressed how both Michael Penix and Jack Tuttle have been progressing.

“I would say with those two, how they are throwing the ball and their leadership are the things that stick out. I think both of them are doing a good job of verbally, within their areas of responsibility, doing a good job leading. Then, throwing the ball with confidence, on time and getting the ball out quick and making good decisions, knowing where the ball needs to go based on the coverage that they are getting. Even Donaven McCulley, same thing, maybe surprisingly because he is so young. He is one that when it is live ... and full move the ball playing football, his legs can become a variable with the team more spread out and he is even more effective. Jack and Michael have done a good job. They have had a good fall camp and it showed on Saturday.”

The Hoosiers are looking to replace Stevie Scott and Saturday’s scrimmage offered some insight into who may be leading the pack at the position.

“Steven Carr, I think is obvious [emerging as the lead candidate]. He does a lot of things well. He can obviously run the football, but he can pass [protect] and he has really good hands and understands [the game]. He has played a lot of football and understands how to run. Some guys just have that knack to them. He did some good things for sure.”

The offensive line is of huge importance to IU’s chances in 2021 to compete for a NY6 Bowl and conference title. Allen talked about the development from that position group.

“I think it was a really good sign on Saturday for their progress. There is always something you are working on, and we do a lot of things on defense, so it makes it really hard on them, especially early on. We scaled some of it back on Saturday, not completely, but in certain situations, because we wanted to find out who is really able to just line up and block the guys in front of them. I feel like the physicality of the group has improved. It is just about communication: communicating together and working together and building through that. It is constantly applying pressure to them and not letting them have any ounce of let up. That was the focus for today from myself and the coaches, as well. That is a group that we are counting on. We have a lot of those guys back in that unit and are expecting guys to step up and elevate their play. We are making progress, definitely not where we need to be yet, but we have several more days to get it fixed.”