The biggest change this season for Indiana comes at the top.
Tom Allen replaced Kevin Wilson, who resigned over philosophical differences with athletic director Fred Glass following the regular season. Allen was promoted prior to the Hoosiers’ loss to Utah in the Foster Farms Bowl. Wilson is now the offensive coordinator at Ohio State.
So, as fate would have it, the Hoosiers open the season by hosting the Buckeyes on Aug. 31.
Allen, who joined the Hoosiers in 2016 as defensive coordinator, oversaw a much improved defense last season. Indiana has finished 6-7 in each of the past two seasons following bowl losses.
“I think we’re in a good spot and I feel good about our team,” Allen said.
“Nobody at this stage really knows for sure until you get somebody else, but in terms of attitude and execution, I’m encouraged by the situational things we’ve worked on in practice. We’ve been able to simulate situations on special teams, offense and defense, and we’re getting some good execution at critical times.”
The defense’s strength is its deep secondary, which includes defensive back Rashard Fant (the school career leader with 48 passes defended and 44 pass breakups) and hybrid safety/linebacker Marcelino Ball. Senior Tegray Scales, the Big Ten’s leading tackler last season, will help guide the linebacker crew.
The offense returns seven starters, including fifth-year senior quarterback Richard Lagow. Allen said Lagow has grown as a leader and is holding his teammates accountable.
“It’s hard to stand up and tell your peers they’re doing something wrong or getting them back in line or whatever, whether it’s on the field or off the field.”
The Hoosiers boast great depth at wide receiver where Nick Westbrook returns following a 54-catch season. Simmie Cobbs Jr. caught 60 passes in 2015, but played in just one game last season before suffering a season-ending ankle injury.
J-Shun Harris is back after sitting out the last two seasons after suffering ACL injuries in each knee. Harris had 18 catches as a freshman, earning IU Offensive Newcomer of the Year in 2014.
In new offensive coordinator Mike DeBord’s system, the tight end is expected to be more prominent. DeBord spent the past two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Tennessee, which averaged more than 35 points per game.
That bodes well for 6-foot-5 tight end Ian Thomas.
“Any time where you are in a position with a guy of his size, he weighs 250 pounds, and his speed is matched up with linebackers and safeties, that is a tough deal (for defenders),” Allen said.
The 6-5, 305-pound Coy Cronk became the first true freshman to start all 13 games at left tackle last season and will anchor the offensive line along with left guard Wes Martin. The Hoosiers will miss guard Dan Feeney, a third-round pick of the Los Angles Chargers.
One of the biggest questions offensively is who will emerge as the main running back after Devine Redding declared for the NFL Draft one year early after two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. The two leading rushers are Tyler Natee (237 yards) and Mike Majette (180). Freshman Morgan Ellison has been practicing with the first two units as well.
Another pressing question is which Griffin Oakes will show up for his senior season. As a sophomore, Oakes earned first-team All-Big Ten honors, making 24 of 29 field goal attempts. Last season, his production fell off as he made only 16 of 26.
MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: LB Tegray Scales — He led the nation with 93 solo tackles and 23.5 tackles for loss. He led the Big Ten with 126 tackles, 10th nationally. Coach Tom Allen persuaded Scales to be more of a leader last season. “So he embraced it,” Allen said. “He bought into everything I was telling him. He believed in it, and he lived it out.”
BREAKOUT STAR: QB Richard Lagow — He is seeking to improve on last season’s output of 19 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Coach Tom Allen said Lagow, who completed 57.8 percent of his passes last season, has made strides in the offseason in terms of confidence and leadership. “He throws the ball extremely well,” Allen said. “He’s got to protect it better and he knows it.”
NEWCOMER TO WATCH: DB Bryant Fitzgerald — He has made an impact in practice and coaches expect he has a chance to contribute as a hybrid linebacker/safety. Coach Tom Allen said Fitzgerald is special. “In terms of offense, defense and special teams, I thought he was the best (prep) player in Indiana last year,” Allen said.
–Minnesota does not face Indiana in the regular season.
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