Team’s losing record not changing mindset, preparation heading into conference play

In last year’s season and the one before, the IU football team was undefeated entering Big Ten conference play.

While that was the aim this year for Co-Defensive Coordinator Doug Mallory and the Hoosiers, this season has begun differently.

“We hoped we would be 4-0 heading into conference play here, but the reality is that we’re not,” Mallory said. “We’re 1-3 right now, but again, the only way I know how to get it fixed is to continue to work, keep a positive attitude. Eventually, we’ll get it going.”

IU Coach Kevin Wilson said despite the record, the Hoosiers will prepare for the Penn State game as they always have.

“Everything we want is still in front of us and we can accomplish things that haven’t been accomplished here in quite a while,” Wilson said, “Even though we’re struggling and don’t have the results we want, there’s a lot of things to play for. Do we have the fiber, the wherewithal, the passion? Will our seniors go after it?”

IU’s Big Ten schedule has been marked by futility in the recent past. Since their last bowl appearance in 2007, the Hoosiers have won three Big Ten games and been outscored 898-463.

 The last time they had a .500 record against Big Ten competition was the 2001-02 season.

Senior left tackle Andrew McDonald, a member of the 2009 and 2010 teams that were 3-0 before Big Ten season, said confidence isn’t an issue with this year’s squad, despite recent events and a rough start.

“I think it’s just a whole feel around here that we’re a Big Ten school about to go to play a Big Ten game,” McDonald said. “You just expect you’re going against bigger guys, more athletic. We know it’s a tough league. We prepare for it. It’s just a mental kind of thing.”
McDonald said although Wilson and his staff usually maintain the same practice regimen, some aspects of practice are different.

The changes were made to introduce a change from what had almost become a lethargic pattern of practicing, Wilson said.

“The thought we had was just changing up some of the drill work or the way some things are going so practice doesn’t become stagnant,” Wilson said. “It’s almost like you become so mundane, routine it almost gets a little boring. It’s like you’re the old blue-collar worker just punching the clock, getting his 40 hours in and out, so our change was to try to find some positive ways to create some energy, some drill work, some competition. That’s gone well.”

When Penn State comes to Bloomington for its noon game Saturday, it will be the sixth time the two have met in Bloomington.

IU has never defeated coach Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lions, home or away, in 14 games.

Wilson said he doesn’t view Penn State any differently than other Big Ten
programs.

“Here’s the first one of many really good teams. Let’s look forward to see if we can start stepping up, delivering — playing like a Big Ten team,” Wilson said, “We’ve got to get used to it because we’re going to play that every year, and it’s time we start holding our end of the bargain and getting some wins.”