Tom Allen started the season with a win over Illinois.

The immediate success may stem from the change-up in the defense with credit to Allen.

Allen decided last winter that he would take over the reins on defensive play calling for the Hoosiers, according to The Herald-Times writer, Dustin Dopriak.

In 2019, Allen was reportedly “stretched too thin” after taking on a lot more than a head coach should have. He was overall working too much, not getting enough sleep, and not being in his office quite as often,  which warranted more of a trigger for his work, per Zach Osterman of the Indianapolis Star.

Turning the defense over in the summer of 2019 to Kane Wommack, provided much-needed relief for Allen. Wommack brought the defense momentum back with back-to-back bowl appearances for the Hoosiers.

Fast forward to now in 2022, the first game is behind Indiana crediting a lot of its success now to the defense that over the last couple of seasons has been a bit shaky. Tom Allen discussed the results of a solid defense and the goals for the remainder of the season for Indiana in a conference with the media on Friday, Sept. 9.

“It’s the takeaway piece. Its key stops at critical times. It’s the sacks. It’s the pressures,” Allen said. “That’s where we’ve got to be great. And if you’re great there and you force field goals or you force stops when they’re critical for us, that’s what I want to get back to.”