IU Football: Catching Up with Marcus Oliver, Simmie Cobbs

Marcus Oliver remembers the play like it was yesterday when his 2014 season came to a quick and abrupt halt in the third game of the year against Missouri.

“I guess it was just a bad plant,’’ Oliver said. “I had an offensive lineman on me, trying to make a play and it happened.’’

What happened was that Oliver tore his ACL. Upon further examination it was determined he also tore his meniscus and MCL, too. Because of the other injuries, surgery was delayed nearly two months. And his rehab took about eight months before he was full go.

Just like that the momentum that Oliver had started to build the week before against Bowling Green vanished. In that game, he had nine tackles including five solo against the Falcons. He also had a forced fumble and a pass break up.

Thursday afternoon, BtownBanners got the chance to talk with Oliver about the upcoming year and the Missouri injury.

Oliver that despite the injury he still was able to celebrate with his teammates after IU had knocked off No. 18 Missouri in the third game a year ago. He said while the physical pain of the injury was obvious, the greater pain was not being able to help his team.

“The trip home from Missouri wasn’t bad,’’ Oliver said. “I didn’t feel bad for myself because it’s for the team and it’s in the teams’ best interest. Everything happens for a reason. I had to look at it as a situation that I could learn from and become faster, better, stronger, smarter. For the game I was excited for the team, for the program and the fans.”

Indiana football under head coach Kevin Wilson has become known for a potent offense. On the other side of the ball, the team has left a lot to be desired. It has been frustrating in the past for the Hoosier faithful to watch big offensive performances from stars like Nate Sudfeld, Cody Latimer, Tevin Coleman and others result in losses. For that to change, the defense must make a notable improvement from its 2014 performance, which allowed 32.8 points per game. As everyone has seen, you won’t win many football games if you’re that bad without the ball.

There are many players who IU will look to in 2015 to upgrade its defense. As the secondary looks thin, the performance of the front is crucial to keeping Indiana competitive. Oliver is a redshirt sophomore and one of those players who figures to be a fixture in a new and improved Hoosier defense.

The Hamilton, Ohio product has found the silver lining in his injury: better leadership skills.

“I see myself being more of an example leader,’’ Oliver said. “But being injured has helped me become more of a vocal leader since I couldn’t be out there playing.”

In the first depth chart put out by IU, Oliver was listed as the No. 2 weak side linebacker behind sophomore Tegray Scales. He said he feels like the injury is behind him and he can focus on getting better on the field.

“Whatever role I have whether it’s coming in or starting ... I’m happy to be a leader and make plays, make opportunities,’’ Oliver said. “The knee feels 100 percent, like I haven’t missed anything. Other than wearing the brace it’s really nothing.”

Last year was the first year IU ran a 3-4 defensive set under new defensive coordinator Brian Knorr. The strategic differences vary from scheme to scheme, so the defense went through a transitional phase. Now that the team has a year under its belt, the Hoosiers should begin to see tangible improvement on the field.

“Everybody now understands the 3-4, the jobs, the scheme, it’s a lot easier for everyone to pick up,’’ Oliver said. “Not everyone got it last year. I think we are all jelling a lot better and we understand we have to get to the quarterback when the secondary is out in coverage. Now we all know how to prepare and where to be when the ball snaps.”

In Indiana’s first year running the 3-4 there was a marginal defensive improvement as it went from allowing 38.8 points per game, to 32.8, a touchdown’s difference. Indiana fans hope that in the second year of its implementation, the 3-4 will net the Hoosiers a better defensive ranking as players should have a much firmer grasp of its intricacies.

Oliver has specific goals for the 2015 season.

“My goals for this year are just to prove that my knee is fine, come back and have the best season I can have,’’ Oliver said. “I want to keep doing well and not take any steps back as a player or a team.”

As a third year player in the program, Marcus Oliver may likely become a force in the Hoosier front seven that gives opposing offensive coordinators fits. The stars are aligning - he is talented, he is healthy, he and his teammates know their system. A much-improved Hoosier defense may have the team rolling into a bowl game.

COBBS CONFIDENT ABOUT DIRECTION OF IU PROGRAM

The potent offense referenced earlier has a lot to do with the talented receiving corps that Indiana has enjoyed under Kevin Wilson.

After Nate Sudfeld went down with a shoulder injury in the sixth game at Iowa last year, the passing game took a step back, but with the star signal caller back under center, IU’s receivers should be back to playing at a high level.

Simmie Cobbs believes having Sudfeld back will make a huge difference for the precision of the offense.

“Yeah, just because he’s a veteran player and had more experience so it’s always better to have someone who has had that experience and done something for years at a high level,’’ Cobbs said. “It’s good because if you’re not doing something right he’ll tell you. He had Cody Latimer and Shane Wynn, all those big receivers so when he gives you advice on your route or your yardage or certain coverage it’s always good to learn from.”

Cobbs believes he is still learning every day, but is enjoying being part of a competitive group at wide receiver.

“We have been hungry,’’ Cobbs said. “We are fighting every day through heat trying to fight for spots, fighting to keep spots, just in a competitive environment. It has been good.”

Adding to that competitive spirit are some newcomers that Cobbs believes may surprise people. When asked for specific players the names of the three true freshmen were the first to roll of his tongue.

“Leon Thornton, Mike Majette, hes been working hard, Nick Westbrook, they’ve all been showing us a lot and competing right off the bat,’’ Cobbs said. “Marqui Hawkins has been going hard so it’s good to learn from him as well. DG (Damon Graham), DG’s been going hard, Ricky Jones, it has been good.”

While the group as a whole is younger, they can still be counted on for a high level of production.

Cobbs ultimately wants to become a go-to player in Sudfeld’s arsenal.

“I want to run my routes, perfect them, make big gains and competitive plays,’’ Cobbs said. “I want to be accountable and be a go-to guy.”

REST OF THE WEEK PLAN

Indiana was scheduled to have two-a-day practices on Friday and then have the first scrimmage of the preseason camp on Saturday. The scrimmage is closed to the public. IU football will also host Monroe County Youth Day on Saturday.