Plugging up the holes on defense

The IU defense surrendered 415 rushing yards in last Saturday's 35-31 win over Nicholls State University. A year ago, the Hoosier defense gave up 51 points to Kentucky in the team's first loss of the season.\nBut as senior defensive back Will Lumpkin said during Monday's press conference, it's a new week and a new year.\n"Especially with the new coaching staff, we are taking the approach that each week is taking on a new approach and a new character," Lumpkin said in a statement. "We aren't going to live in the past, even though we are mindful of it. We gave up a bunch of points to these guys last year and gave up a bunch of rushing yards to Nicholls State, but in the grand scheme of things, no one knows because it's a new game."\nThe Colonel offense utilized the triple option offense against the Hoosiers last Saturday, an offense seldom used by NCAA teams.\n"Nicholls State was an offense we had never seen before and one we're not used to," redshirt freshman defensive tackle Greg Brown said. "They're the only team like that in our schedule. It shouldn't be a problem for us anymore."\nSenior linebacker Kyle Killion said the frustration of the IU defensive coaches was evident Tuesday afternoon.\n"(Tuesday) was a pretty rough practice," Killion said. "It's been really challenging, but we're just trying to focus on some things and get our problems fixed. Every week we just want to get better. I expect a tough, hard-nosed football game on Saturday."\nIU coach Terry Hoeppner said despite the defensive lapses last Saturday, he remains confident in the group and expects them to make the necessary improvements for this weekend's game.\n"The players I spoke with, especially the guys on defense, I would say there is a tremendous resolve for them right now to get the bad taste out of their mouth and to play better," Hoeppner said in a statement. "I still think we can be a good defense. I still think it will be one of the strengths of our team." \nBrian George, the co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, is among the many new coaches on the Hoosiers' staff this season. George came with Hoeppner to IU from Miami University (Ohio). George, along with IU coach Joe Palcic, coached a Red Hawk defense ranked 17th in the nation, allowing roughly 110 rushing yards per game. \nGeorge, along with the Hoosier defense, said he is relieved not to have to see the triple option attack again.\n"We spend most of our time playing against a more 'traditional' type of offense, so you have to adjust a lot of different things," George said. "This week is a lot different than last week because we're going back to what we normally do as far as the structure of our defense goes."\nAs far as this weekend's game against Kentucky, Brown said he is confident the Hoosiers can take strides to improve defensively.\n"We know that Kentucky will run something similar to (the Nicholls State offense) every now and then, but after that game we're ready for it," Brown said. "I have no doubt that our defense will step up this Saturday"