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.

“This is the most depth we’ve had on our team since I’ve been at Indiana”, Allen said.

He then would go on to shoutout almost every position player at their respected groups for the skill and leadership.

“I love being in this venue,” Allen said. “I love Lucas Oil Stadium. It is our goal to end up our season playing here on Dec. 4”.

— Indiana On BTN (@IndianaOnBTN) July 23, 2021

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?