Senior defensive lineman Mikail Kamara has played in several ranked matchups over the course of his Indiana career, yet few have been as exciting as the Hoosiers’ matchup with ninth-ranked Illinois on Saturday night. Because, for a change, Indiana will be hosting the game at home, in a primetime slot.
“It’s fun, for sure. It’s gonna be our stadium rocking versus theirs. So I think it’s fun. I think the fans are gonna enjoy it, and we’ve just gotta go out there and attack.” Kamara said when asked about his excitement level heading into the game.
Kamara continued saying, “It’s something you dream about as a kid, right? Playing on Saturday night, the lights are on, and the weather is beautiful, especially at home too, like this is a dream for sure…it’s one of those days where we get into conference play, and right off the bat we’re playing against a ranked opponent. So it’s just fun, just to go out there and show what we can do. I know a lot of people still have whatever thoughts they have about us. I just want us to continue to improve individually, continue to improve as a team… and just show what we’re capable of on Saturday.”
With this statement, Kamara seemed to be addressing the national narrative surrounding Indiana, namely that they will not be able to sustain the success that they enjoyed last season.
For Kamara’s part, he is happy with how the defensive line has been progressing through three games this season. “I think it’s been good. I think we’ve improved every single game. Going into ODU, going into Kennesaw, and then going into Indiana State. I think we mentally prepared better every single week with film study and knowing our assignments and cleaning up all the [missed assignments]. As far as technique wise, I think we’ve studied the film, and we’re cleaning up all our little things. Whether it’s striking, whether it’s pad level, whether it’s pass rush. So I’m excited for us to put it all together on Saturday.” He said.
Ultimately, however, Kamara isn’t concerned with any of the outside noise surrounding the Hoosiers. As Coach Cig says, media narratives are like “rat poison” to a football team. Instead, he is just going to go out on Saturday and savor the opportunity.
“I’m not really concerned about what other people have to say outside this facility.” Kamara said. Instead, Kamara wants to see the team “just do what we know we can do, what we’ve done in the past, and what we’ve done all camp. Just put it on tape on Saturday. [Saturday’s] supposed to be the most fun time, right? Throughout the week is the hardest, and Saturday should be the most fun time. Just go out there.”
Kamara will be out there on Saturday looking to help the Hoosiers pick up a big ranked win and start the season 1-0 in Big 10 play.