Indiana Hoosiers football program looks to bounce back from letdown 2021-2022 season

Indiana linebacker Cam Jones and quarterback Jack Tuttle took issues into their very own palms this offseason.

They referred to as their teammates collectively to debate the targets and aspirations of this system, the necessity to at all times play with an edge and to interrupt down exactly why issues went improper in 2021.

Now they’re utilizing the teachings from a players-only PowerPoint session to keep away from a repeat this fall.

“It is by no means good going backwards,” Jones stated earlier than acknowledging his staff wanted an actual heart-to-heart to maneuver ahead. “I feel when you have improper mindset, that when you get up with the improper mindset, you are day goes to be unhealthy. I feel when you have the best mindset, you will have a fantastic day.”

Or on this case, maybe, a fantastic season.

In fact, that was the Hoosiers’ plan final fall, too. However after opening the season within the High 25, a string of accidents and embarrassing losses ensued. The end result: Two wins, none in Huge Ten play, a humiliating 44-7 season-ending loss at rival Purdue and months of reflection.

It led to a flurry of modifications.

Beginning quarterback Michael Penix Jr. left for Washington whereas Connor Bazelak, the 2020 co-SEC freshman of the 12 months, arrived from Missouri. Bazelak and Tuttle will compete for the No. 1 job.

Indiana’s three most efficient runners are gone, although two skilled transfers — Shaun Shivers and Josh Henderson — may present a direct resolution.

Defensively, the Hoosiers want to interchange 4 starters.

Coach Tom Allen additionally shook up the teaching workers, firing offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, hiring former UMass coach Walt Bell and reclaiming the signal-calling duties on protection after coordinator Charlton Warren went to North Carolina.

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“Final 12 months was one thing that was actually, actually laborious and it’s one thing I by no means wish to undergo once more,” Allen stated. “On the identical time it makes you admire how laborious it’s to be at a sure degree.”

Allen additionally is aware of the turnaround begins contained in the locker room. He believes the work by Jones and Tuttle already has made a distinction.

“Man I used to be fired up. I knew proper then that issues have been going to be completely different,” Allen stated. “It’s by no means huge issues. However I’m telling you there’s just a few little, refined stuff that I really feel they acknowledged they usually noticed and observed we talked about. I don’t suppose I can put a worth on it.”

QB Battle

Allen is not prone to title a beginning quarterback publicly earlier than Indiana’s Sept. 2 opener at house in opposition to Illinois.

Tuttle has made 4 begins in 14 profession video games and has been a steadying affect since coming to Indiana in 2019. However Bazelak accomplished almost two-thirds of his throws at Missouri, handed for five,058 yards and 23 touchdowns whereas throwing 17 interceptions in 24 video games, and he could have the sting with a brand new coordinator.

“I might say expertise, only a calmness and a coolness, does not get frazzled, not actual emotional,” Allen stated when describing what he is seen from Bazelak. “The factor that out to me is simply expertise — been there, been within the huge video games, performed within the huge venues.”

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Altering Instances

Indiana misplaced two gamers after reporting to camp final season: Working again Sampson James left for Purdue in mid-August and Tim Baldwin Jr. entered the switch portal in October.

Allen, like different coaches, is hoping school officers do extra to to stop in-season transfers. With regards to names, picture and likeness compensation for athletes, although, Allen is doing his greatest to maintain the Hoosiers aggressive.

“It’s not going away,” he stated. “The applications and alumni bases, fundraising that may determine it out and get folks concerned, are going to be those that thrive. Who is aware of what the long run holds, however I do know now we have to embrace it. We’ve got to proceed to develop the participation in it.”

He is Again

Accidents compelled the Hoosiers to make use of 4 completely different starters at quarterback final 12 months however probably the most devastating absence could have been cornerback Tiawan Mullin.

In 2020, he was named first staff all-conference and in addition acquired nationwide honors. Final 12 months, he missed 5 video games with accidents and solely made 4 begins. Now he says he is wholesome and able to go.

“It was very irritating,” he stated. “It was only a freak accident, a man simply fell on my ankle. We’re simply able to bounce again and I am able to bounce again.”

The Schedule

The Hoosiers must construct momentum with a robust begin and all of it begins in opposition to a Huge Ten foe within the Illinis beneath Friday evening lights.

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By late September, the normally difficult schedule kicks in. Indiana visits Cincinnati and Nebraska in back-to-back weeks, after which performs at Ohio State and Michigan State in consecutive weeks in November. Michigan, Penn State and Purdue all go to Bloomington this 12 months.,