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Indiana Prepares for PSU


KelleyHoosh
  • Indiana nearly went 5-0 after narrowly falling short to defending national champion Ohio State. Fans saw a lot of reasons to be optimistic after the back-and-forth 34-27 loss. The football program however, was not looking for any moral victories.

Indiana nearly went 5-0 after narrowly falling short to defending national champions Ohio State. Fans saw a lot of reasons to be optimistic after the back-and-forth 34-27 loss. The football program however, was not looking for any moral victories. While the defense played seemingly its best game of the season, linebackers coach William Inge says the program viewed that game as a failure.

 

“In the end you evaluate the result and the final result is that we didn’t win the football game,” said Inge. “There may have been people outside the (football) family happy, but nobody in the locker room was happy.”

 

Players like Tegray Scales and Marcus Oliver have highlighted the Hoosier defense this season and had particularly good games versus the Buckeyes. As leaders of the unit, Inge believes that their success is the result of a number of causes including preparation, effort, and visualizing the success they desire.

 

As far as visualizing success, Oliver has said he often sees himself stripping the ball and causing fumbles. It sounds unusual, but Inge believes it plays a large role in making plays.

 

“When we go through our visualization process, we talk about seeing you doing something that is going to impact the football game,” Inge stated. “In order to execute, you have to see yourself doing it first.”

 

Imagining big plays is something kids across the country do everyday. To make those imaginations come to life, hard work is crucial.

 

“On defense when you play with great effort, great things happen and they’ve been able to experience some of the fruits of their labor from playing with a high motor,” Inge said. “On defense it is our job to get the ball back to the offense or score.”

 

By that formula, the Indiana defense is doing its job as it is tied for the second most defensive touchdowns and has recorded eleven sacks. The team is still susceptible to letting up big plays. Greg Gooch, who plays the bandit position this year, says it is something the team is aware of and actively working to repair.

 

“We just have to pick it up in practice every day and correct those major holes in the defense.” Gooch added.

 

Last year Gooch served as a linebacker, but in his sophomore season he has found himself playing bandit- a hybrid role coached by Brian Knorr. To this point in the season, Gooch says he is still picking up how to play his new position. He credits his playing time last year as being a huge help getting acclimated to the speed and physicality of the game.

 

“I’m getting better in my pass rushing and being physical isn’t a problem for me,” Gooch said. “Its just different keys I have to read and things like that which I have to be more aware of.”

 

The next IU opponent is Penn State, who Gooch had his best career game against recording an interception, two tackles and one tackle for loss. If he can repeat that defensive player of the week performance he had last year this time around, the defense could have back-to-back strong performances against Big Ten competition.

 

Fans are anticipating a big day for the defense considering Penn State’s relatively weak offensive line, but the team knows it won’t be easy.

 

“They’re a pretty dynamic offense, they run the ball well and have a pretty good passing game,” said Gooch. “They’re going to try to run a lot of power at us and get their passing game going.”

 

Gooch gives high praise, but the Nittany Lions boast only the nation’s 88th best rushing attack and the 102nd passing offense. A juggernaut offensive team, Penn State is not. On paper, the Hoosiers defense may actually have the upper hand. Coach Inge insists that the team will not take any opponent lightly.

 

“We have to show up and play our best game,” Inge said. “More importantly we have to prepare to play our best game every Saturday.”

 

If somebody told you that Indiana would be in the fourth quarter without Nate Sudfeld or Jordan Howard and only lose by 7, you probably wouldn’t have believed them. But Inge’s linebackers and the defense as a whole played great against one of the best teams in the nation. If the effort and preparation so often harped on by this coaching staff becomes consistent, Indiana stands a fair shot at an eight win season, a bowl berth, and a breakthrough season for head coach Kevin Wilson in his fifth year in Bloomington.

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Historically, lower statistically ranked offenses have torn us apart. This game will be another notch to the log in identifying this season as a turning point.

Go Hoosiers!!!!!!!!

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