The Friday session of B1G Media Day 2021 opened with the head coaches of seven Big Ten teams giving their opening statements about the upcoming season and each allowed follow up questions.
First was Rutgers, who was then followed by Michigan State, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Purdue, and was closed by Ryan Day of Ohio State.
All eyes were on Indiana University and its head coach Tom Allen as he came up to the podium.
Allen opened by thanking the B1G and commissioner Kevin Warren for the creation of the George and Viola Taliaferro Fellowship, then IU’s athletic director Scott Dolson, and stated that he was excited to get to work with new Indiana President Pamela Whitten.
"I keep your dad's trophy on my credenza, because I always want George to have my back."
IU’s head coach would then open the floor for media questions. Questions consisted of how he felt on opening the season with another B1G opponent, last years victory against Penn State, last years loss when facing Ohio State, and many others.
Allen, like always, responded with terrific answers.
“To go and play in that venue (Iowa) is going to be very challenging,” Allen said when asked about opening the season on the road against a B1G opponent. “When you prepare for such a high-level opponent that early it helps you, I think, have a better season.”
In typical Tom Allen fashion, the session ended the only way it could…with Allen shouting out “LEO” as he walked off of the stage.
After a few hours of waiting and sightseeing around the house that Peyton Manning Built, it was time for the players to answer the media’s questions.
Senior wide receiver Ty Fryfogle, senior linebacker Micah McFadden, and junior quarterback Michael Penix Jr. represented Indiana in Indianapolis. Redshirt senior Marcelino Ball also made an unannounced appearance to do his best impression of the media as he himself asked his teammates questions during their podium time.
Michael Penix Jr. had the largest player interview crowd of the entire event. Everyone in attendance had the same first question for the star quarterback.
How healthy is he?
“I am doing really good,” Penix said. “September 4th I will definitely be ready and 100%. I can’t wait to be out there with the guys.”
Both Penix and Ty Fryfogle were asked about their relationship with one another and how it impacted the return of Fryfogle for his senior year.
“Quarterback and wide receiver…they have to click right off of the bat you know?” Fryfogle said. “We hang out every day outside of football. We go fishing, go eat together, play video games, we do all kinds of stuff.”
Each Indiana player was bombarded with NIL questions. Penix responded by saying he is more focused on the rehab of his injury than getting any brand deals. McFadden answered by saying he has not looked to much into it, while Fryfogle said that there are some things in the works, but his marketing team takes care of all his business off the field.
While all had different answers, they all agreed that it is a great opportunity for college athletes across the country.
In a day that was full of questions, senior linebacker Micah McFadden gave what seemed to be the best response for this Indiana football team moving forward.
When asked what the expectations were for this team in the 2021-2022 season McFadden responded by firmly saying, “Our goal is to win the B1G Championship.”
If that does not get you excited for Indiana football, there is not much that will.