Wilson brings quicker offense to IU football program

During an IU offensive possession this season, think twice before getting a snack, taking a bathroom break or blinking.

You might miss something big.

“It’s a lot faster,” senior wide receiver Damarlo Belcher said. “Our offense last year was a no-huddle offense, but this one is just more fast-paced. As soon as the referee puts the ball down, we’re going.”

While offensive coordinator at Oklahoma, IU Coach Kevin Wilson was known for orchestrating speedy no-huddle offenses that required players to be in peak physical condition. During two weeks in fall camp, a noticeably leaner IU squad showed that Wilson and his staff have brought his style of offense to Bloomington.

“We’ve definitely got to be in shape for it,” Belcher said. “It’s a fast, fast, fast-paced
offense.”

The use of a no-huddle tempo will be one of few constants for the offense this season.

Different formations will be used based on situations and player skills, but at its core, the offense will be a pro-style unit with multiple sets.

“It’s our job to make sure our offense fits our players and not vice versa,” said Co-Offensive Coordinator and Wide Receivers Coach Kevin Johns. “We’re going to play up-tempo. We’re going to play multiple (sets) and try to utilize our talents.”

At this point in fall camp, it is difficult to predict what types of plays and formations the team will use, as the first-year coaching staff is still analyzing what it has to work with.

“We’re going to revolve everything around our best 11 players,” Johns said. “That’s what we’re trying to do right now is determine who those guys are.”

Modern offenses, particularly fast-paced no-huddle units, often eschew the tight end and fullback positions. However, with the Hoosier returning sophomore Ted Bolser and senior Max Dedmond at tight end and redshirt freshman Leneil Himes — a converted tight end himself — at fullback, the positions are likely to have a place in the team’s offense this season.

“On short yardage situations, we’re going to try to roll those guys out there,” Johns said. “As we get going with our tempo schemes, we’ll see how they fit from there.”
If early practices and Wilson’s history are any indication, the offense will also feature several two-running-back sets.

A recent practice had true freshman D’Angelo Roberts and redshirt freshman Matt Perez on the field together with the first unit rather than junior Darius Willis, who started multiple games the last two seasons.

“My first year at Northwestern, every day in inside drills, we did I-formation plays,” Willis said. “(Two-back sets) will have a part. It fits killing the clock or coming out when you’re backed up or goal line and short yardage. It’s a part of it, and the better they play, then maybe it becomes a regular part of the offense.”

Belcher said receivers are expected to do more in this year’s offense than in the past.

“We got a lot more routes,” Belcher said. “As a receiver, you like that. I’m running routes that our inside guys run. It’s not just playing one position. We’ve got to learn all four spots on the field that our receivers can play in.”

The offensive line’s job is essentially the same regardless of the offensive system they are in, offensive tackle Andrew McDonald said. Terminology and nuances differ between offenses, but at the end of the day, their jobs are the same.

“Every coach comes in and has different ways of doing things,” McDonald said. “It’s more a kind of mental mindset of coming off the ball and blasting somebody and just doing your job and doing what you need to do to get that first down.”