Column: IU must mature for next step

WEST LAFAYETTE — One of the more recognizable traditions in the game of football is for members of both teams to hold up four fingers at the beginning of the fourth quarter, signifying the commencement of the most mentally grueling 15 minutes of the 60-minute contest.

On Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium, both the Hoosiers and the Boilers held up those four fingers, yet only one team displayed the mental toughness required to be victorious.

IU wasn’t that team, though it appeared to be after IU Coach Kevin Wilson’s squad overcame a 14-point deficit to tie the game at 35 early in the fourth quarter.
But that final touchdown would prove to be the Hoosiers’ last points of the 2012 season.

Purdue put its foot to IU’s throat and didn’t let off until it had reeled off three consecutive touchdown drives in the final 12 minutes of regulation.

Those crucial 12 minutes were also a microcosm of the shortcomings IU has suffered through all season. Whether it be vast amount of missed tackles, blown assignments or turnovers, the Hoosiers continually harmed themselves when it mattered most.

“On the road in a rivalry game, you can’t turn the ball over four times,” Wilson said.
Three of those four turnovers were sophomore quarterback Cameron Coffman interceptions, two of which were thrown in the fourth quarter.

Because of those critical mistakes, the Hoosiers were forced to witness Purdue raise the Old Oaken Bucket for the second consecutive season.

“I wanted to win it super bad for our seniors because, obviously, it means a lot more to them since it’s my first time here,” Coffman said. “It’s really disappointing that we couldn’t send them out the right way.”

Yet there is a silver lining that Coffman and his young teammates can take solace in: 19 of the 22 starters from Saturday’s loss to Purdue return next season.

Its young nucleus quadrupled last season’s win total and matched expectations set forth prior to this season. With the improvement shown this season, brighter days may be ahead for the Hoosiers. Those days are not apparent now, but are like the sun seconds before it rises; it’s hard to see, but you know it’s inevitable.

“It’s a young group that has a lot of time to continue to mature physically, mentally and in its knowledge of the game,” Wilson said. “They’ll each continue to learn how to mature as a man.”

For now, IU fans must be patient with Wilson.

Yes, he works in a results-oriented business, but those results won’t come overnight.

Junior wide receiver Kofi Hughes said he and the rest of his teammates would begin offseason workouts this week, signaling the effort needed to fulfill the potential Wilson spoke at length about.

“There’s a lot of potential, which is exciting,” Wilson said. “But potential is a dirty word if you don’t continue to improve.”

­— ckillore@indiana.edu