Hoosiers to challenge Falcons

After IU’s loss against Navy last week, IU Coach Kevin Wilson said he thought the football team’s prep work was a little “casual” and unfocused.

“I could sit up here and imitate Coach Knight’s game face,” Wilson said. “I don’t know if I buy that.”

He said he wasn’t sure his team had that fighter’s look.

IU (1-1) looks to bounce back against Bowling Green (2-0) Saturday as the two programs meet for the first time. Wilson said it won’t be an easy game.

“I don’t think we have a team of arrogance, but I think we lost our edge,” Wilson said. “Again, we had a little bit of success and people patting you and you scored some points easy.”

After a 41-35 loss in which the Hoosiers gave up 444 rushing yards to Navy’s triple option offense, senior wide receiver Kofi Hughes said the mood in practice has been physical.

Working hard and limiting distractions after practice has helped, he said.

“I know we had a really, really good Sunday practice,” Hughes said.

They have been playing games to loosen up the players and coaches after practice, Wilson said.

Last week a pair of sophomore quarterbacks saw time for IU. Tre Roberson got the start, but after not getting a first down in his first two series, he was benched for Nate Sudfeld, who went 31-42 for 363 yards and four touchdowns.

“You can look at a stat and say, ‘Hey, that looks pretty good,’” Wilson said. “When you look at tape, that tape doesn’t lie. You can skew stats good or bad. Nate has gotten in games. He’s played well, but again, he’s got some nice parts.”

Despite Sudfeld’s strong play, Wilson said he doesn’t know who will start against Bowling Green.

“Somebody will go out there,” he said.

The Falcons will trot out sophomore quarterback Matt Johnson, who is averaging 254 passing yards a game. Johnson took the starting job from senior incumbent Matt Schilz.

Schilz has the third most passing yards in Bowling Green’s history and started
every game last season as a captain and 35 of 37 games in his career.

But he was benched against Tulsa after completing one of four passes for 12 yards in his first two series. Ever since, Johnson has held onto the starting job, leading his team to score 34 and 41 points in their opening two games.

IU’s first two games began in the evening, but Saturday’s kickoff is scheduled for noon.

Despite being used to playing under the lights so far this year, Hughes said the earlier start time provides an edge.

“I think it makes things a lot easier,” Hughes said. “I think the hardest thing about having a later game is all the down time.”

For senior running back Stephen Houston, it isn’t about what the clock says on the wall. His internal clock will be ready.

“Your body is going to tell you when it’s time to get up,” Houston said. “Just get in that mind set. So I would say no, this is not really a hard transition.”

Follow reporter Evan Hoopfer on Twitter @EvanHoopfer.