In Indiana has seen Big Ten logos removed on their uniforms before the Outback Bowl against Ole Miss, head coach Tom Allen reacted. According to those on social media, Indiana apparently got upset or sent a message at the conference.
Despite not receiving an invitation from Citrus Bowl like Northwestern or possibly upset about the Big Ten’s decision to place Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship game, Allen has another reason. Allen said the message of ‘LEO’ on the helmets was their team mantra.
He explained in a statement released Friday night.
“To explain what we’re wearing in our uniform and helmet for tomorrow’s Outback Bowl: since I took over as Indiana’s head coach, this program’s mantra has been LEO, Love Each Other,” Allen said in a statement. “This season was the hardest we would ever experience, and we felt it was appropriate to showcase LEO, which led us through one of the most historic years in Indiana Football history. We did not intend to show contempt for anyone. We are a proud member of the Big Ten and always represent our conference. LEO is the foundation of our program and we want to bring in 2021 with a focus on our team and loving each other. LEO! ”
Indiana tackles Ole Miss (4-5) in a regular top game, but maybe this could be a message sent by Indiana, not just an interesting coincidence.
“The energy levels are high,” Jamar Johnson, Indiana’s defensive back, said this week. “We know what’s at stake. We know that this program has won only three matches in the pickup. We are looking to ourselves this year to do what we have to do to achieve a victory. ”
Johnson even addressed Indiana’s daring opportunity in the Gator Bowl against Tennessee in 2019.
“That game was really important,” Johnson said. ‘It gave us an extra slide on our shoulder to finish. We have strongly emphasized this year that we are going to learn how to finish. We’re going to work on finishing instead of, ‘Oh, Indiana are always here and there, but they never come out with a win.’ Everyone did what they had to do to make sure we were done at the end of the games if it really mattered. If we have the slide on our shoulder, we are ready to save ourselves this year. ”
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11 Indiana (6-1) tackles Ole Miss (4-5) Saturday in the Outback Bowl at 12:30 ET.