Notes and Quotes From Tom Allen's Media Monday (10/5)

Tom Allen readies his team Image: Indiana University Athletics

Written by Juliet Gahan

Only 19 days until the Hoosiers take on the Nittany Lions for the season opener at Memorial Stadium. This afternoon head coach Tom Allen Zoomed in to update fans on the preseason. Indiana had their first full pad practice on Saturday. 

Notes 

As of September 17th, IU has had 2,102 negative COVID-19 rapid tests. 

Total of four positive cases. Two players and one personal member currently have coronavirus. 

IU had their first scrimmage this weekend.

IU’s cancelled game against Western Kentucky will be made up on Sept. 15th, 2029

Tom Allen 

Saturday was a milestone for Indiana. 

“It was actually our first day of full pads on Saturday, which is the day we scrimmaged, which is usually not the case.“ Allen said. The coaching staff is speeding up the learning process for the team this year. 

“I did think our tackling was positive. Obviously, you are going against each other, but our goal was to get about 25-30 snaps of live gos for some guys.” Many players achieved this goal. Overall, Allen was happy with the first scrimmage, but there was some rust. 

“We still had mistakes and still had things that we have to clean out, but it was not one of those sloppy scrimmages that you sometimes find yourself in when you do it for the first time in a long time. That was definitely something that I was encouraged by. ” Said Allen. Hoosiers have their next scrimmage on Saturday. 

Allen also mentioned the depth seen in his WIde Receivers. 

6-2 170 lb true freshman Javon Swinton from Virginia is making an impact on the field. 

“The thing about Javon that has really impressed me, and I shared this with our staff yesterday, is that when you think about a young man coming in as a true freshman, he does everything as he is supposed to do.” Said Allen. “He always takes care of his business and does not say a whole lot. He studies, he has been prepared and he has made plays.” Fans could be seeing a lot of Swinton this season.

Allen expanded on the injury to defensive back Raheem Layne.

“Yes, in regards to Raheem in the situation actually did he both on injured in practice, just something that was kind of nagging has been nagging for a while and just felt like it was you know, something that in order for him to play to level he needs to play and we sat down and he agreed and we all agreed easy to get get it fixed and so we don't know exactly the exact timeline but it definitely won't be anytime soon to he'll be back.“

Allen also talked about the quarterbacks’. performance in the scrimmage touching on what needs to be improved, especially in the game management area.

“Regardless, the quarterbacks you know, I thought that they saw Saturday Especially during we have a segment, you know, we one of our goals for the scrimmage was to get consecutive plays, get the guys to drive the football down the field and stay out there, you know, for eight plus plays at a time, without subbing anybody is important. And I thought on most of those drives that we did that Don't they look sharp make some good throws, and I didn't feel like that we need to improve in our two minute situation. That wasn’t up to my standard, obviously, the kick was great, we always give a certain much time on the clock, how much time if time is you have left, and if you need to field goal, you need a touchdown. And obviously, you rarely get to field goal in one of the the drive to win the game, but didn't feel like we moved the ball as well as we should have. And also then think we you know, utilize the clock and understanding the situation as well as we should have.”

Today is the last day to register to vote in Indiana. 

“Our entire team is registered to vote, and has been.” Said Allen, “I just want our guys to execute their right and their privilege to vote in our democracy. We never tell them who to vote for, but we challenge them to study, know the issues and vote for the person or individual that you believe represents what you want.” Allen has made sure every player feels encouraged to share their voice by voting in the upcoming election.