Everything Tom Allen said ahead of game against WKU
The Hoosiers are off to a rocky start this season as they are 1-2 on the year after being ranked No.17 in the preseason AP Top-25 Poll.
Indiana lost their opener to No.5 Iowa 34-6 on the road and then followed it up with a win against FCS Idaho 56-14 and lost at home this past Saturday 38-24 to No.8 Cincinnati.
This week the Hoosiers will be on the road for a rare trip to a group of 5 opponent in Western Kentucky. Tom Allen addressed the media ahead of Saturday’s matchup with the Hilltoppers.
Allen talked a lot about the targeting rule and how he believes it needs to be adjusted.
Allen says “there’s no question” targeting rule is too punitive re: ejection.
“There’s a lot of agreement (among coaches) right now that the rule needs to be evaluated.” #iufb
— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) September 20, 2021
Allen on possible evaluation of targeting rule: “I think that will be looked at, I’m assuming. Common sense would say it should be, and I hope that would be the case.” #iufb
— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) September 20, 2021
Allen: “I’m all about player safety. That’s the focus and should be … But there’s a lot of an agreement among coaches that it needs to change.” Said he thinks there should be Targeting 1 and Targeting 2 like there’s Flagrant 1 and Flagrant 2 in basketball.
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) September 20, 2021
Allen: “You have to evaluate the way its judged on the ejection piece. I don’t think it’s fair to the kids.”
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) September 20, 2021
Allen gives an injury update on several key players.
Two other Allen injury updates:
>> Devon Matthews is expected to play this week. He’s back at practice.
>> Stephen Carr, who was dinged up at the end of Saturday’s game, is “fine. … Full bore for this weekend as well.” #iufb
— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) September 20, 2021
Michael Penix is the Hoosiers’ starting QB, and Allen has complete faith in him.
Allen: “Michael Penix is our starting quarterback and I believe in him with 100 percent of my heart.”
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) September 20, 2021
Allen talks about star WR Ty Fryfogle and his uncharacteristic day on the gridiron.
Allen on Fryfogle and his drops: “He’s never had a game like that since he’s been here.”
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) September 20, 2021
Allen on Fryfogle: “That was a hiccup for him. … I don’t expect that to be anything moving forward. He has to rise up.”
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) September 20, 2021
Allen still believes this team can be special.
Allen: “I believe in this team and I think we can do some special teams if we continue to do better and eliminate the mistakes. … We’re disappointed. We’re not discouraged.”
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) September 20, 2021
Allen: “What are you gonna do? Feel sorry for yourself? I guarantee no one else is going to. We’re 1-2. That’s not where any of us wanted to be.”
— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) September 20, 2021
The Hoosiers and the Hilltoppers face off at 8:00 ET on CBSSN.
