After Falling a Game Short Last Year, Tom Allen is Letting His Players Know What's at Stake

Tom Allen addressed the elephant in the room before the Maryland game. Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle

Written By Nathan Comp

Tom Allen knew the task he had at hand when he took the head coaching job just two years ago. After years of struggles, the Indiana program had played its way into two straight bowl games. The results on the field were shifting in the right direction, and any momentum the program had – needed to be capitalized upon.

A year ago, Indiana fell short. The Hoosiers spent December at home, the bowl streak snapped at two.

Coach Allen chose last year to not address the elephant in the locker room. Postseason play was not discussed. Rather, the task at hand, the next game, was the primary and only focus.

This year, Indiana finds itself in a similar place. In the worst-case scenario, Indiana will play its final game, for the fourth-straight year, against Purdue with a shot at the Bucket and a bowl on the line.

One thing will be different this year: Tom Allen’s team will have no question what is on the line.

“We knew we needed (the win), and we talked very openly to our team about what was at stake,’’ Tom Allen explained postgame Saturday. “I didn't really do that last year at this time. I chose not to. I didn't want to talk about going to bowl games, but I just said, you know what, forget all that, I'm talking about bowl games. Because they're big.”

Big may be an understatement. For a team with 55 freshmen, an extra three weeks of practice and another game opportunity cannot be understated. Not to mention the increased publicity for the program and the effect consistent postseason play can have on recruiting.

“We have been to 11 in this program's history. And so our objective is to get to number 12. And so I'm going to call it what it is. I'm going to call these guys out on it and say that's what we're playing for. So bottom line was that's how we approached our team meeting on Monday morning, and that's how I set the tone.’’

The players responded with a 34-32 victory Saturday against Maryland, in a game with a storyline we’ve seen Indiana come up short from in the past. Many players mentioned better energy, because of what was at stake, playing a role in this performance.

“When the coaches openly discuss it, I think the guys were encouraged. This week in practice there was a lot of energy. I think that maybe there might have been a scare that coming out of a bye week we might have been sluggish, but there was a lot of energy and focus this week. I think what the coaches talked to us about helped that, too,” said Peyton Ramsey.

“It’s not a secret. Obviously, that’s the goal, and he put it out there in front of us. I think it put everyone on the same page,” Nile Sykes, who recovered the game-winning fumble against Maryland, mentioned.

Ðonavan Hale, who tallied 3 catches for 92 yards and a touchdown on Saturday, echoed more of the same: “We are trying to come together as a team, just change the program around. Coach Allen is doing a good job of emphasizing that. We have to come out each and every game and keep playing and we will get to that bowl. I think we will.”

With two games remaining, Indiana needs just 1 more victory to go back bowling.

This year, the coaches had no fear in notifying the players. This year, have no doubt the players are energized and aware of what is at stake.

This year, we’ll see if the results are different.