BLOOMINGTON — Kevin Wilson understands the defensive buck stops with him.
Yes, the Indiana coach focuses more on offense, his long-time area of expertise. But as he prepares for his fifth Hoosier season, the importance of at least decent defense can’t be overstated in the drive to bowl eligibility.
And so, Wilson has given defensive coordinator Brian Knorr and all the defensive coaches a prime directive: Attack.
“What I want to see, and I’ve hit this with our coaches tremendously, is the body language and the demeanor of an attacking defense. It’s been a disconnect since I’ve been here. It’s no one’s fault but mine. I’m an aggressive-attacking coach, and I don’t see our defense play that way.
“You can call it a body language, a swag … you name it, whatever fancy word you want to use. We can give T-shirts and (do) breakdowns till they’re blue in the face, but there’s a way you get on the field that says, ‘I’m getting after you.'”
IU hasn’t effectively gotten after offenses since the early-1990s, a major reason why it has just one bowl appearance (2007) in that span. Last year’s unit allowed 32.8 points, which is bad, but still better than the previous season.
With the offense positioned to return to its high-scoring ways now that quarterback Nate Sudfeld is healthy again, the defense must step up.
“The defenses that are good are coached in a way, are taught in a way, and play in a way that they stay aggressive,” Wilson said.
The coach explained how, in his time, the game of football has evolved.
“Offenses were on the attack and the defense played bend, but don’t break, and boxed everything in,” he said.
“Then, the game moved to safeties coming downhill and everybody running at the line, and (former NFL standout defensive end) Lawrence Taylor coming off the edge, and defenses were attacking.
More Top Picks Pour Overs
“The no-huddle got the defenses back from attack mode.
“Now, the good defenses have flipped it. So, he who is aggressive has a better chance.
“I don’t care if they blitz, play a 3- or a 4-man front. I don’t care who’s out there. I just want the energy and effort to match the way we want this program to run. That’s been the challenge to our coaches. We expect to see that.”
The result has included a strong message being sent to cornerback Rashard Fant, a highly touted redshirt who should be a starter (he’s considered to be Indiana’s best cover corner). Instead, he’s second on the depth chart behind walk-on Ben Bach.
“At the end of the day, I can’t go off potential,” co-defensive backs coach Brandon Shelby said. “I have to go off of production. You might be more athletic, but if the other guy is more productive, if he better knows the schemes and understands the playbook, that’s who I’ll go with.
“The best player is going to play, not the most athletic or the fastest or the guy who jumps the highest.”
A big key is free safety, once dominated by leading tackler Antonio Allen. But he was kicked off the team over the summer following his arrest on drug charges. Strong safety Chase Dutra will take over — at his request. He came on strong at the end of last season and finished with three interceptions and 34 tackles.
“He appears to be a guy who likes it and wants it,” Wilson said.
Given that all four secondary starters are gone, given that last year’s group ranked among the Big Ten’s worst by allowing 251.1 passing yards a game, the get-better drive is everywhere you look.
Dutra sets the get-after-it tone Wilson seeks: “We worked hard the whole offseason. We’re not scared of anybody. We know we can play with anybody.”