Film Session: Examining Mackenzie Mgbako’s enhanced ability to rebound

Film Session: Examining Mackenzie Mgbako’s enhanced ability to rebound

Mackenzie Mgbako, who averaged 4.1 rebounds per game as a freshman, has increased that number to 7.7 this season in about the same number of minutes per game, excepting Thursday night’s game against UNC-Greensboro. After Oumar Ballo, that ranks second on the squad.

In order to be in position for boards, Mgbako is outworking and outhustling his opponents and occasionally his teammates. He is also smashing the glass hard off the perimeter. In addition to getting things rolling during transition, he is keeping the Hoosiers’ possessions alive.

His improved rebounding throughout Indiana’s first three games of the season is examined in today’s film session:

What Kurtis Rourke, the quarterback, said following Indiana’s 38–15 defeat to Ohio State

COLUMBUS, Ohio — No. 5 Indiana fell to No. 2 Ohio State 38-15 in their season opener on Saturday.

The Hoosiers had the second-highest scoring offense in the country going into the game, but they only managed 151 total yards and finished with a season-low 15 points. Kurtis Rourke, the quarterback for Indiana, was sacked five times by Ohio State and only completed eight of eighteen passes for 68 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions, and one turnover.

Here are all of Rourke’s post-game remarks.

Regarding whether this was Indiana’s first use of a silent count…

Rourke: “Yes, in-game, but we worked on it all week. Therefore, it wasn’t anything we had never seen before.”

Regarding the actions of Ohio State that made their blitzing so effective…

Rourke: “They timed it perfectly and brought some good blitzes.” just had some excellent plays called and performed more effectively.”

For the remainder of the game, on what it was unable to replicate from a good initial drive…

Rourke: “I believe we just performed at a much higher level and better than the previous drive. We were able to capitalize on our players’ looks, but we didn’t play as effectively as we would have in the closing minutes. You have to in games like these.

On the factors that contributed to Ohio State’s blitzes’ success…

Rourke: “Everything is familiar to us. I need to get better at seeing them and figuring out where to take the ball. Simply be able to learn from a game like this as an offensive and ensure that it doesn’t occur.”

Regarding the team’s mindset following a defeat, knowing that there is still plenty to play for…

Rourke: “We have a huge, rivalry game next week, which is excellent news since losing is never enjoyable. Take a day off, then prepare for Purdue.

On being irritated by unusual errors…

Rourke: “We’re going to get an opportunity to play a lot more teams like them, and you have to be almost flawless to defeat a squad like this. It’s a learning opportunity because we know that we can’t make these mistakes and that we must play the entire game at our best. However, it’s necessary to be able to move on and stop having learning chances.

In light of Indiana’s seasoned roster, did he find any of the errors surprising?

Rourke: “I don’t believe so. It’s merely attention to detail, I believe. Knowing that there are plays I would want to have returned and throws I must make in order for this team to advance the ball down the field, I constantly turn to myself. I’m disappointed with myself for many of the opportunities, but I know that they won’t happen again. Particularly during this season, those errors cannot be tolerated.

Regarding whether Indiana needs to scrap any offensive components that didn’t perform…

Rourke: “Not in my opinion. We just need to have faith that we’ll manage it going ahead. I have complete faith in the running backs, tight ends, receivers, and offensive line. Because I’ve been fired a few times, I continue to believe that I don’t need to alter anything. The most important thing is that when I am struck, I have to defend the ball. I have to get better at it. This year, it has occurred a few times.

On how annoying it is to spend so much time behind the sticks…

Rourke: “Yes, having second, third, and long makes it difficult to win games. You must take use of those. Therefore, even when we return to Michigan week, we must be careful not to place ourselves in those difficult positions because, as I mentioned, winning games is difficult.”

Regarding the challenge of dealing with several third-party and lengthy situations…

Rourke: “It’s difficult, particularly when you have a defense as good as theirs. Converting on third and long, especially against a strong defense, is challenging, as I indicated. However, we had the chance to convert, but we failed. That’s also directed at us. Those circumstances will arise, and we will need to be able to capitalize more effectively than we did today.”

Regarding whether Indiana has shown to be one of the top teams in the nation this season…

Rourke: “I hope so, yes. We believe we are stronger than anyone, and we want to get the chance to rematch at some time. But just taking it one game at a time, knowing that the big game is next week and we need to go take care of Purdue.”

This item was syndicated with permission after initially appearing on SI’s Indiana Hoosiers.