Utah

The Foster Farms Bowl featured #19 Utah from the Pac-10 against the Hoosiers representing the B1G. This would be Indiana Coach Tam Allen's first contest since being named head coach on December 1. The Utes were deemed a twelve point favorite.

Allen's debut started off well when Kyle Fulls fumbled the opening kickoff for Utah and Indiana turned that into a touchdown on a 7-yard pass from Lagow to Mitchell Paige. But the Hoosiers struggled on offense after that. Lagow went 14 for 39 for 188 yards and an interception. The receivers didn't help with several drops but Lagow was often off-target or had passes batted down at the line of scrimmage. The defense kept the game close.

Allen viewed the preparation and bowl game as the start of his first full season in 2017. The Hoosiers will jump right into it, hosting Ohio State in the season opener on Aug. 31.

For the second year in a row IU ended the regular season 6-6 but failed to finish with a winning record following a bowl game. For the ninth consecutive season, the Hoosiers finished with a loosing record.  

IU entered the Foster Farms Bowl against #19 Utah as a twelve point underdog.

Images © Foster Farm Bowl

Construction fence is up

The construction fence is up for the South End Zone Project. 

Foster Farms Bowl

It was announced on Sunday December 4 that the Hoosiers would play in the 2016 Foster Farms Bowl in Santa Clara, CA against the #10 Utah Utes on December 28.  Utah, the 3^rd selection from the Pac-12 conference will go up against the Hoosiers from the B1G. Televised on Fox Sports The 8-4 Utes enter the game highly favored.

 Images © Foster Farm Bowl 
 © Indiana University Athletics

New Sheriff in Town

Indiana University announced Kevin Wilson resigned his position as head football coach. Defensive coordinator Tom Allen was elevated to head coach on a permanent level. Players were informed of the decision at team meeting prior to the announcement.

Indiana athletic director Fred Glass met with Wilson in his office and accepted Wilson's resignation "based on the philosophical differences we have in terms of leadership of Indiana football program."

Allen who is popular within the program and the department but does not have a deep well of FBS coaching experience and no collegiate head-coaching experience. Wilson recruited Allen to IU from the University of South Florida in January to repair the Hoosiers' long-maligned defense. Allen, a former coach at Ben Davis High School, spearheaded a revival as defensive coordinator, as the Hoosiers led the nation this season in greatest year-over-year reduction in yards allowed per game. That cued a second-straight postseason appearance for the first time since 1990-91.

"I was raised a Hoosier," Allen said at the news conference. "It's hard to believe. This day has been an absolute whirlwind...

Wilson leaves Indiana after his second-consecutive 6-6 regular season, and the program's first back-to-back bowl appearances since 1990-91. Wilson had a 26-47 overall record at IU, and despite his recent success, he never concluded a campaign in Bloomington with a winning record.

"I have a vision to create a culture of accountability, toughness and love," Allen said. "I believe in positive, conviction-driven leadership. And the power of belief. "Our immediate goal is to prepare for the bowl game and keep our staff intact... We have a great staff of coaches... We're going to roll our sleeves up, pull together. "My goal for this program is to breakthrough in 2017. We're very close."

Notes taken from the © Indy Star online

Photos © Indiana University Athletics