IU coach Bill Lynch addressed the media during his Tuesday press conference. Here are some highlights.
Injury update
The team released its preliminary injury report today. Neither LB Tyler Replogle nor S Austin Thomas appeared on the injury report. Replogle missed last week's game against Penn State with a head injury while Thomas played after limited practice participation during the week.
Starting RB Darius Willis (ankle) was listed as probable after missing last week's game. OL Justin Pagan (shoulder) and backup RB Demetrius McCray (head) joined the injury list as questionable for the Purdue game.
See the bottom of this post for the full preliminary injury report.
Second half performance
Lynch was asked about his team's second half performance in recent games.
"You just have to keep playing," Lynch said. "If there was something magical, we would've found it by now."
One aspect Lynch emphasized was closing out the second quarter. Against Northwestern and Penn State, each team scored touchdowns in the final drives of the second quarter.
"We've really got to play better the last five minutes of the second quarter t0 take pretty good leads into halftime," Lynch said.
Follow the jump for Lynch's thoughts on Purdue, a non-holding call against Penn State and the full injury report.
Purdue game
"This is a special week and when you talk about the bucket game, the IU-Purdue rivalry, it certainly means a lot to me," Lynch said. "I grew up a kid in Indianapolis. You're either an IU fan or a Purdue fan. When you competed on the playground, you're either IU or Purdue."
Lynch mentioned how many players are from the state of Indiana - the players know each other from high school football, summer camps, etc. - and understand the magnitude of the rivalry.
He said a rivalry game is a game for seniors, so the fact this game combines as Senior Day adds to the intrigue.
"There are a lot of seniors playing their last football game Saturday," Lynch said. "And the last game is the one you always remember."
- Using last year as motivation
"You remember it, there isn't any question," Lynch said. "We don't have to talk about it. Anybody that was up there last year remembers it."
Lynch said the game can not become a motivational battle because that doesn't necessarily translate to play on the field. Instead, he emphasized the team's need to prepare for Purdue's football team.
"I think sometimes you get carried away with motivational tactics," Lynch said "Then you don't spend enough time trying to figure out how to stop their offense or how you move the ball against their defense."
- Bucket game's impact on recruits
Lynch was asked about the impact the Bucket game has on recruiting. He said it simply adds interest for both state schools.
"It's good for both schools, particularly for in-state (players)...they have a interest in it...this game's talked about and has been for years. I think it helps both of us," Lynch said.
- Scouting report
Lynch said Purdue has been, like IU, close to several wins that would have made them a premier team in the conference. Close losses to Oregon, Notre Dame, Northwestern and Michigan State ended Purdue's chances for a bowl.
"It's two football teams that are very good football teams that records don't show it," Lynch said.
Lynch was asked how to defend Purdue's balanced offense. Boiler QB Joey Elliott is 9th in the nation (and first in the Big Ten) in passing yards with 2,821. RB Ralph Bolden is 71 yards from a 1,000-yard season and WR Keith Smith is sixth in the nation in receiving yards.
"They give you a lot of things you have to be prepared for. I think that's what makes them tough to defend," Lynch said.
- Play-calling creativity
With nothing but pride to play for against Purdue, will IU prepare some trick plays for this week's game?
Lynch wouldn't reveal anything but said by the 12th week in the season, the team's know each other very well and that it is important to focus on simply playing solid IU football without "over-coaching" the game.
- Impact of a win
Lynch said a win would be important for two reasons. First, it gives the seniors a good feeling to remember as their final game and second, it provides momentum heading into the winter and spring practice.
Lynch's sideline reaction to non-holding call
Lynch was asked if he's gotten any feedback, even playful, on his reaction to the non-holding call.
"I've heard about it from some people," Lynch said.
He went on to emphasize that play was just a result of not closing out the first half. "It's not that play, it's probably the play two before that where a missed tackle takes it from the 40 to the 15 (yard line)," Lynch said.
Injury report
OUT - CB Ray Fisher (knee), DE Darius Johnson (shoulder), DT Jarrod Smith (back)
QUESTIONABLE - S Jarrell Drane (thigh), OL Cody Faulkner (shoulder), RB Demetrius McCray (head), OL Justin Pagan (shoulder), OL Mike Reiter (knee)
PROBABLE - RB Darius Willis (ankle), Terrance Thomas (shoulder)
