Tuesday Report: Hoosiers Gearing Up For Hilltoppers

So, what exactly makes the Hilltoppers such a threat? Well, one of the biggest reasons is the mismatch their sixth year quarterback, Brandon Doughty presents against a young IU secondary.

Coaches Brandon Shelby and Noah Joseph believe that their players will be up to the task with proper preparation.

“We have to get better taking what we do Monday through Friday and applying it on Saturday,” Shelby said, “Their quarterback is very good… knows how to throw the ball and get away from pressure, if we let him sit back there all day its going to be a long day,” he finished.

Shelby later said that on tape Doughty compares to Andrew Luck because their adjustments are like clockwork.

Joseph echoed those thoughts on Doughty, but thinks IU has a distinct advantage when it comes to preparing for a player of his abilities.

“What helps us is crossover stuff,” Joseph said before continuing, “we do a lot of crossover work, 1v1 against Nate Sudfeld who can spin the ball pretty well too.” Joseph thinks going against a player like Sudfeld has helped his younger players develop, but they are realizing that they must work on their own to succeed.

“The young guys have done okay and they have a lot of talent, we have seen inconsistency,” Joseph said, “They have to work on their own and do a lot more than what you’re doing just with coaches.”

Some points that Shelby thinks the secondary has to improve upon are having their eyes in the right spot and playing faster. The coaches have been giving players looks similar to what they anticipate they will see in games, but Shelby highlighted that the intensity can’t be replicated in practice, so mistakes will be made.

“Them playing hard alleviates mistakes.” Shelby said, adding that on the play against Florida International that Jameel Cook returned an interception for a touchdown, Cook was supposed to blitz and thus never should’ve been in that position.

“That’s one of those times where you say, ‘great play, now don’t do it again!’” Shelby said.

Though inconsistencies are bound to happen, especially in a young secondary, the Hoosiers believe that it is something they will grow through. Indiana fans saw a perfect example when the team played Florida International. Cook gave up a touchdown when running a cover 2 defense, then later secured the game for the Hoosiers.

The veteran leader of the secondary, Rashard Fant, stressed the importance of rebounding from mistakes.

“You have to put it out of your mind,” Fant said, “even when you give up a touchdown, you have to keep playing and move on because if you think about it you are burnable and they will attack you,” he finished.

Fant believes the work ethic of the secondary will lead to improvement, saying that he watches a lot of tape not only of himself but Vernon Hargreaves of Florida, Jalen Ramsey of Florida State as well as Darrelle Revis and Richard Sherman.

“I watched some film and there were definitely a few missed opportunities where I could’ve helped the team even more,” Fant said, “my spot is not guaranteed and each day I have to prove my worth and show I can do my job,” he added.

Shelby and Joseph have come together in the secondary and instilled that attitude in their players. Each player knows that there are no guarantees and that is why they have all stated that they must work hard to play.

On having two coaches lead the secondary, Joseph said he thinks it has made players more accountable.

“It is not a whole lot different than last year,” Joseph said. “We are able to be a lot harder on the guys as far as their discipline because if both coaches are picking on you its probably you needing to play better not us being picky.''

Shelby believes the attitude of the players helps them hold themselves accountable.

“This group is probably the best I’ve been with since I’ve been here,” Shelby said. "They’re very prideful and don’t want to let anyone down.'

Fant anticipates his team to hang tough with the Hilltoppers.

“I expect them to be really good but I also expect us to come out ready to play,” Fant said. "We have to read our keys and be patient… they will throw a lot of shots and have good receivers.''

If everyone does as Fant said, fans can expect a close one in Bloomington when the Hoosiers take on the Hilltoppers. This game could be the best way to truly evaluate if this is the year the Hoosiers will go bowling.

NOTES:

Shelby said “Tyler Green is getting better, he came in and wasn’t quite ready, but he’s faster. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up helping this year.”

Shelby also said Fant didn’t practice too much going into FIU game but did walk throughs and had a lot of mental reps.