Indiana’s home opener against Old Dominion was an up-and-down performance for the Hoosiers’ offensive line. From the very first drive, it was clear that this veteran O-line was able to impose their will on the Monarchs’ unique front in the open field. The key phrase being in the open field. Once the Hoosiers got into the red zone, it was like a switch had been flipped, and suddenly the offensive line was not able to get any kind of push, resulting in several drives fizzling out with no points to show for it.
No one is more aware of how up and down the offensive line’s performance was than center Pat Coogan. Coogan, a transfer from Notre Dame, has quickly become a vocal leader along the line, thanks to his experience.
When asked about how he felt the first game went for the offensive line, Coogan said, “A positive thing was that we played on the same page, we played together, and we ran the ball well. But at the same time it wasn’t up to par, like we have to finish better, and everyone has to take accountability for that, and everyone has taken accountability for that. So it’s an exciting time to move to week two and improve on what we did not do well, which was finish drives on Saturday.”
One of the reasons for Indiana’s struggles on Saturday could have been the unique scheme that Old Dominion runs on defense. The Monarchs run a 3-3-5 defensive scheme, which is different from a majority of defenses in the FBS.
“ODU’s defense presented a unique challenge, it was a 3-3-5. Targeting and distributing combinations to the backers could be difficult and they made it difficult for other teams in the past that’s why, one, they had success against some schools last year and two, they’re going to be a very good team this year is because they present a unique challenge, schematically.” Coogan said.
While ODU was a unique schematic challenge, Coogan wants to make sure that everyone knows that this was not the sole reason for the Hoosiers’ red zone struggles.
When asked about what adjustments need to be made heading into Week 2, Coogan said, “The focus on detail has to be there, because I feel like that’s where [we were lacking]. There were some detail components, whether it was hat placement, getting our hat or our feet across the line of scrimmage, or just down at the goal line; those small details that can sometimes get brushed aside, those have to be on point. Those [details] have to be even more implemented into our practice schedule. Like I said in the beginning, it has to start with us taking accountability for that, and we have.”
While the lack of detail, especially in the red zone, was apparent, that is not to say that the O-Line did not have bright spots. In particular, the running game outside of the red zone looked incredible, with the line opening up huge holes for IU’s talented backs to break free.
Coogan touched on this, saying, “Credit to them, they hit it. You can just see the explosiveness in them from the jump and we’re just trying to do our job, that’s what we do as offensive linemen, we do our jobs and open holes for those way more athletic and talented guys to hit them. Proud of those guys and it’s onward and upward for sure.”
Onward and upward seems to be the takeaway from Coogan and the rest of the O-line after their first start together. They recognize that they need to get better in the red zone, with the understanding that they will all hold each other accountable in practice leading up to their Week 2 matchup against Kennesaw State.