In the end, when it comes to Kevin Wilson’s uptempo, no-huddle approach to offensive football, it’s about the big guys up front.
If you don't have a good offensive line, you've got major trouble no matter how good your skill players are.
Generally you need veteran guys, mature guys, guys who have spent years building themselves up to Big Ten-caliber physical play. At least, you do if you want to win.
But Wilson isn’t messing around with this he’ll-play-young-guys approach. During Saturday’s scrimmage true freshman Ralston Evans and redshirt freshman Cody Evers got plenty of first-team offense work. Evans was at left guard. Evers was at right guard.
Evans got an early jump on the rest of the Class of 2011 by graduating from Indianapolis Arlington in December so he could enroll at IU for the second semester and participate in spring practice.
“I don’t think they’ve been here long enough that they know how to play soft yet,” Wilson said.
Yes, that was a not-so-subtle shot at the lack of physical offensive line play Wilson is trying to break.
Veteran’s Will Matte, Andrew McDonald and Justin Pagan started with the first team, but Wilson indicated nothing is guaranteed.
Yes, it’s motivation for all the Hoosiers to have a strong summer of voluntary workouts if they want to play in the fall.
*****
Do you want some early insight into what’s going on with IU athletics and want to hear it directly from the people who know the best –- the coaches and the athletic director?
You’ll get your chance with the annual IU Athletics Tailgate tour.
It will feature the tour debut of Wilson, a straight-shooting guy with a straight-shooting message –- win now and don’t stop.
“I’m excited to kick off the tour this year,” Wilson said in a university release. “Our staff is fortunate to be here, and we look forward to visiting our fans across the state and talking some IU football.”
IU men’s basketball coach Tom Crean will participate as well as women’s coach Felisha Legette-Jack, volleyball coach Sherry Dunbar, soccer coach Todd Yeagley, swim coach Ray Looze, track coach Ron Helmer, men’s golf coach Mike Mayer, football defensive co-coordinator Doug Mallory and athletic director Fred Glass.
Eight events are scheduled, starting May 18 in Indianapolis. Each will feature a meal or reception, plus a program. There also will be opportunities to purchase football season tickets. Proceeds will benefit IU and the student-athlete scholarship fund. For more information, contact the IU Varsity Club at 812-855-0866 or varsity@indiana.edu.
Here are the dates and locations:
May 18 Indianapolis, Ind. The Rathskeller 6 p.m. E.T.
May 23 Merrillville, Ind. TBA TBA
May 25 South Bend, Ind. Knollwood Country Club 11:45 a.m. E.T.
May 26 Evansville, Ind. Oak Meadow Golf Club 11 a.m. C.T.
May 31 West Lafayette, Ind. TBA TBA
June 1 Jeffersonville, Ind. Huber Winery 6 p.m. E.T.
June 2 Fort Wayne, Ind. TBA TBA
August 15 Bloomington, Ind. DeVault Alumni Center TBA
It sure is refreshing to hear a no-nonsense appraisal of the football team from the man in charge. I have long felt that IU football teams lacked heart and desire more than talent. If Wilson can succeed in changing the loser's mentality that has evolved over many years - and that is a big 'if' - IU football may actually amount to something for once.
ReplyDeleteRalston is a special talent i never thought he got the offers he had deserved from watching him play in high school but i believe he can help anchor this offensive line with his hard working attiude but he will have to work hard this summer and will he play offense or defense he was a reguarded defensive end as well in high school
ReplyDelete