Media Monday: Kevin Wilson Talks Nebraska and Northwestern

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson met with members of the media to talk about the loss to Nebraska and the upcoming road contest at Northwestern. 

Quotes From Coach Wilson

Indiana’s offense has struggled in certain situations over the last couple of weeks, but on Monday he pointed out that the Hoosiers need to make more competitive plays.

“Offensively, issues again -- score zone opportunities we keep missing, a pick-6 -- we've lost two games where we lose by less than a touchdown -- we have a pick-6 in two of the three losses. Went three-and-out or three and a field goal after turnovers, didn't take advantage of defensive turnover play.

And really just the lack of competitive plays. The really only one-on-one real good competitive play was Ricky Jones on the go ball right before our last touchdown. So we're making some plays. We need more competitive plays, whether it be competitive blitz pickup, a shot, a catch, a run. Same thing defensively. Really playing well but, again, a chance to make a competitive play when the game is on the line, it's gotta pick up.”

Coming into the game Nebraska had outscored opponents 78-6, Wilson was pleased with the defense. However they need to finish the job.

“Defensively we gave up the big plays. Some of them maybe misfortunate but two big plays. Long drive at the end, 14-play drive. Didn't have really a long drive since the first quarter. I think they had 210 yards of offense going into the fourth quarter. And really played well after the first quarter. I think second and third quarter we really D'ed them up well. They had that one long play, but then they come off of that with the fourth quarter long drive. They had 10 points in the fourth quarter.”

Northwestern started the year slowly going 1-3, but have won two in a row in impressive fashion. Here are Wilson’s thoughts on the Wildcats.

“They've got the number one runner, number one receiver. He's playing outstanding. He's the first guy since Teddy Johnson to score five touchdowns in a row in five straight games. That's back on the 2000 team. I was there. It's a hot team. This team is playing really good offense the last couple of weeks -- 38 on the road at Iowa and 54 at Michigan State doesn't happen a whole lot. It's good football.

Quarterback Clayton Thorson won 10 games last year as a redshirt freshman. You can see him growing and settling in. Can move around with his feet, really throwing it clean, running the ball. The last couple of games over 400 yards, holding the opponent down. But Clayton's throwing for couple -- putting 500 yards on Michigan State and 54 points is the most ever in Spartan Stadium. So playing good.”

Wilson on the performance of quarterback Richard Lagow at the mid-way point of the season:

“They've got the number one runner, number one receiver. He's playing outstanding. He's the first guy since Teddy Johnson to score five touchdowns in a row in five straight games. That's back on the 2000 team. I was there. It's a hot team. This team is playing really good offense the last couple of weeks -- 38 on the road at Iowa and 54 at Michigan State doesn't happen a whole lot. It's good football.

Quarterback Clayton Thorson won 10 games last year as a redshirt freshman. You can see him growing and settling in. Can move around with his feet, really throwing it clean, running the ball. The last couple of games over 400 yards, holding the opponent down. But Clayton's throwing for couple -- putting 500 yards on Michigan State and 54 points is the most ever in Spartan Stadium. So playing good.”

Quick-Hitters

Players of the Week

Offense- Mitchell Paige (WR)
Defense- Jonathan Crawford (Safety)
Special Teams- Chase Dutra (Safety)

Scout Offense- Zander Diamont (QB), Alex Rodriguez (RB), Taysir Mack(WR)
Scout Defense- Kenny Arnold (LB)

Injuries

Cole Gest- Gest missed his fourth straight game with an ankle injury, but was not talked about on Monday.

Dan Feeney- Missed his fourth straight game with a concussion. Wilson provided no new information on his status.