Defense needs to step up today

[Union City Kid]

For IU to have a chance to win today the defense has to step up their game and play well for 4 quarters. Our talent and athleticism have improved but must be realized on the field. We need to pressure the QB, eliminate our missed tackles by wrapping up the ball carrier and make the tackle unassisted....We must win the turnover game.

On offense we need to open up the run by throwing the football well and not into double/triple coverage and control the clock with a west coast passing offense (until Howard is back and healthy). We have to do a better job of having long offensive possessions to keep our defense off the field and better rested.

We need to approach this game like the Missouri game last year and keep pressure on Cook while stopping the run. We have the talent, much better talent than we have had in years. It is time to show it.

I would also like to see some of our senior leaders step up and play like senior leaders to stem the tide when something negative happens. We need our leaders to step up and perform. They can do it and I am counting on our staff to coach them up and have them with the positive mind set to win and to believe.

It's our time to shine. Shock the world.