Hoosiers Ready For Football

During the last availability before the first game of the season, BtownBanners was able to talk to tight ends coach James Patton, defensive line coach Larry McDaniel, wide receiver Simmie Cobbs, and defensive lineman Nick Mangieri.

The resounding sentiment from everyone was that the Hoosiers are ready for football.

“Potential just means we haven’t done anything yet…” stated Patton, who heads a unit that looks to be deep and versatile this season. That unit also appears to be the most tightly-knit according to quarterback Nate Sudfeld and head coach Kevin Wilson. Patton is looking for that potential, particularly from senior Anthony Corsaro, to turn into production with help from Sudfeld.

“He (Anthony) is invested in the program,'' Patton said. "His time is running out so he brings great enthusiasm to the table, good energy to the group. He had a really good camp.”

Other tight ends Patton spoke highly of include Michael Cooper, Danny Friend, and Jordan Fuchs. Of particular note, Patton said Fuchs has made great strides from year one to year two.

“Jordan in year two is more of a polished player,'' Patton said. "He was an athletic pass catcher his first year and has transformed himself into an inline blocker or backside cut off guy. He has developed more of a physical presence which comes with weight, strength and mindset.

Patton is hopeful his guys can “make it happen” so that they can shine this year. The addition of a healthy Sudfeld back from his shoulder injury gives Patton confidence.

“He’s made good throws to them and then they’ve went and made good plays,'' Patton said. "I hope he has confidence in them, but I think they’ve given it to him. I think he is pretty comfortable.”

While the entire team can feel better now that Sudfeld has recovered, nobody can be more relieved than the Indiana receiving corps. Looking to capitalize on his new role is Cobbs, who many think will have a big role this season.

“I learned a lot from game experience and older guys about what I need to bring to the table and what to expect,” Cobbs said before adding, “I need to bring focus and energy, be smart and listen to what coaches and my quarterback tells me.”

Sudfeld’s presence has helped Cobbs bring the intensity he needs to be “the number one guy on the outside.”

“It's his last year so he is more focused, getting on guys more and more,'' Cobbs said. "He wants everyone to play at that high level.”

Cobbs went on to say that he feels the connection he has made with Sudfeld this summer is strong and that the two have connected a lot. If that proves true, the Hoosiers will enjoy chemistry in the passing game that they lacked in the second half of last year.

On the other side of the ball, McDaniel is hoping to see intensity as well.

“Saturday we will be looking for their competitive nature,'' he said. "Are they getting after it? I’ll be able to correct mistakes in the film room. I want to see guys flying around, leaving their feet, batting down balls and punishing ball carriers. I’m looking for their best effort.”

McDaniel believes at its core football is about blocking and tackling. For his defense to be successful, they know they have to get off blocks and wreak havoc.

Mangieri echoed that sentiment, saying the key for him against Southern Illinois is playing his game.

“I’m going to want to be quicker than they are, get off the ball and be quick and physical,” Mangieri said.

While that is no easy task, McDaniel has had the defense working towards improvement all offseason.

“We’ve gotten lighter and quicker, emphasizing foot speed,” McDaniel said, noting that Darius Latham in particular should benefit from this work. “The ability to get off blocks and our reactions have improved a lot. It should translate on the field, especially for a guy like Darius, his game should open up now. He is an extremely big man and can be extremely nimble on the field.”

Mangieri added that as far as Southern Illinois goes, the Hoosiers feel they are prepared.

“We’ve watched film on them so we have an idea of what to expect, who will step up and what they like to do,” he said.

For months Indiana football has been working on quietly improving. When Southern Illinois comes to Bloomington, the Hoosiers will get the chance to show everyone how much that hard work has paid off. Saturday will be the start of perhaps Kevin Wilson’s most crucial season at Indiana, and across the board the team sounds ready to step up to the challenge.