After Indiana was seen removing Big Ten logos on their uniforms ahead of the Outback Bowl against Ole Miss, head coach Tom Allen responded. Indiana appeared to be upset or sending a message at the conference, according to those on social media at least.
However, despite not getting a Citrus Bowl invite like Northwestern or possibly being upset at the Big Ten’s decision to put Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game, Allen has a different reason. Allen said the message of “LEO” on the helmets was their team mantra.
He explained in a statement released on Friday night.
“To clarify what we are wearing on our uniform and helmet for tomorrow’s Outback Bowl: since I took over as Indiana head coach, this program’s mantra has been LEO, Love Each Other,” Allen said in a statement. “This season has been the most trying we will ever experience, and we felt it was appropriate to showcase LEO, which has carried us through one of the most historic years in Indiana Football history. We did not intend to show disrespect to anyone. We are a proud member of the Big Ten and are always representing our conference. LEO is the foundation of our program and we want to bring in 2021 focusing on our team and Love Each Other. LEO!”
Indiana takes on Ole Miss (4-5) in a usual upper tier bowl game, but perhaps it could be a message sent by Indiana if not just an intriguing coincidence.
“The energy levels are high,” Indiana defensive back Jamar Johnson said this week. “We know what’s at stake. We know this program has only won three bowl games. We’re checking up on us this year to do whatever we’ve got to do to get a win.”
Johnson even addressed Indiana’s blown opportunity in the Gator Bowl against Tennessee back in 2019.
“That game was really important,” Johnson said. “It gave us an extra chip on our shoulder to finish. We made it a big emphasis this year that we’re going to learn how to finish. We’re going to work on finishing instead of, ‘Oh, Indiana’s always close here and there but they never come out with a win.’ Everybody did what they needed to do to make sure we finished these games at the end when it really matters. Having that chip on our shoulder, we’re ready to redeem ourselves this year.”
No. 11 Indiana (6-1) takes on Ole Miss (4-5) in the Outback Bowl on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET.
