Defense doesn't dwell on past, looks ahead to future

Scoring 30 or more points per game was not a problem for the IU football team last season. It was the 40 or more points given up by the defense that drew concern. \nBut people on defense say they are concentrating on where they are now, not where they were four months ago.\n"We have a good attitude, but we need to work on our attitude when things aren't going too well," senior linebacker Devin Schaffer said. "If you look at the successful teams last year, they all had bumpy roads, but they were able to play at a consistent level longer than we were. That is all it was."\nThe defense has been able to create some positives during the first few spring practices. The run defense has come up with some big stops on the rush. Sophomore Jason Fryar, who is adjusting to a new spot on the defensive line, was able to block a few passes from the quarterback.\n"If you look at our defensive line, there are some strong, athletic guys," coach Cam Cameron said. "Big Jason Fryar is going to give us some push up the middle. He's a tough guy to throw over."\nBut when the defense was fully exposed -- as it was Saturday at the team's first scrimmage -- the lingering effects of last season's troubles were evident.\nSenior wide receiver Antwaan Randle El was able to expose a weak secondary. He got past them a few times at the wide receiver position.\n"The No. 1 thing we have to do is improve defensively," Cameron said. "I think a lot of that comes down to pass coverage. We got ahead in some early games last year, which put opponents into a passing mode, which really worked to our disadvantage because it exploited our weakness."\nThe running game showed improvements from the first few practices. Junior Jeremi Johnson and senior Levron Williams were able to find the holes they were missing.\nCameron said he is upbeat about the changes he has made in the defense.\n"(Junior) Bobby Brandt has moved down inside, and he joins (sophomore Anthony) Oakley, who has been one of our strongest guys since he's been here," Cameron said. "(Senior center Craig) Osika's big and strong. All those guys are in the best shape they have been in and the quickest they've been. When you can get pressure on the quarterback, what a difference that makes."\nImproving technique is not the only thing the defense is concentrating on this year. They are working on their focus and attitude.\n"We have a real good chance of being good, but we have to listen to what the coaches are telling us," junior defensive end Derek Barnett said. "We just want to get better every day and work on our techniques. We have to make more plays, and not give up the big plays."\nSchaffer said he agreed.\n"We need to get everybody to understand the system and know the role they play in the system," Schaffer said. "We have the players, but football is the ultimate team sport, and we are just trying to get everyone on the same page"