Tom Allen talks matchup with Ole Miss as Indiana prepares for Outback Bowl
The Indiana Hoosiers had one of the best seasons in the history of their program before being shut down at seven games due to COVID issues and finishing the year at 6-1.
The seven data points, as opposed to ten or eleven for other programs, contributed to the Hoosiers being passed up for a New Year’s Six bowl game. Instead, they were awarded a trip to Tampa to play in the Outback Bowl against Ole Miss, still the kind of big opportunity Indiana football rarely gets.
Head coach Tom Allen spoke Monday with media members about his team’s COVID issues, the unfortunate end to the season in which their Old Oaken Bucket rivalry against Purdue was not played for the first time in 100 years, and the upcoming preparation for their bowl trip to Florida. Last year’s one-point loss to Tennessee in the Gator Bowl also came up as motivation for this year’s squad.
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Tom Allen on using Gator Bowl loss as motivation: "I choose not to forget about things like that, in a positive way. When you talk about earmuffs and blinders, that doesn't mean you're deaf and blind. … There's things about that game I don't want us to ever forget." #iufb
— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) December 28, 2020
Allen says IU had team meetings over whether Hoosiers wanted to play in a bowl game, given everything. Says team wanted to play. #iufb
— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) December 28, 2020
IU coach Tom Allen says the Hoosiers will head down Wednesday, so they'll be there for a couple extra days than a normal road game. But, obviously, because COVID, not many other events to be hard. #iufb https://t.co/GQUkzbRkCY
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) December 28, 2020
IU will organize a "taste of Florida" event at the team hotel Thursday night before the game. It will just be a Publix sub for everyone, I assume. #iufb
— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) December 28, 2020
Tom Allen says the "whole group" isn't back after COVID positive tests paused things, but he says they are getting close.
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) December 28, 2020
"The mental break was a blessing. Didn't want it under those circumstances … The challenge now is to get back and have a great week of practice." #iufb
Allen says he's happy he didn't send players home for Christmas given what's happened to other programs and COVID-19 positives resulting from it.
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) December 28, 2020
"We followed the advice of our medical professionals, and they were adamant about it."
"It was the right thing to do."#iufb
Allen adds he's learned to anticipate things that can happen, both good and bad. Says more one does something, the better they get at it #iufb
— PaulGable (@PaulEGable) December 28, 2020
Allen: I think I am better at delegating and trusting my coaches to do more things so I can be more effective. Probably been the biggest thing, relinquishing the play calling duties. Guy like Mike Hart as the associate head coach give him the freedom to do things to help #iufb
— PaulGable (@PaulEGable) December 28, 2020
Allen: We are trying to show people who we are #iufb
— PaulGable (@PaulEGable) December 28, 2020
Allen: We have to have a good week. Challenged guys to have our best Tuesday tomorrow. The guys have worked hard, trained hard and have to keep preparing. #iufb
— PaulGable (@PaulEGable) December 28, 2020
Allen: Excited to get back on the field today, guys did a great job, good lift in and normal Monday routine. Good to get majority of guys back. Good focus, good effort and good attention to detail #iufb
— PaulGable (@PaulEGable) December 28, 2020
Allen says this is not a normal bowl week. Says Hoosiers will leave Wednesday for the Tampa area after practice and breaking down film.
— PaulGable (@PaulEGable) December 28, 2020
Practice will be Thursday at bowl site and walkthrough on Friday.
"There's no bowl activities. We have a special thing Thursday night." #iufb
