EDITOR'S NOTE: The Quest for Indiana University Football Glory, written by Hall of Fame sports writer Pete DiPrimio, takes an unprecedented look at the Hoosier program thanks to exclusive access to practices, meetings, players, coaches and more. In this chapter, coach Tom Allen talks about why L-E-O (Love Each Other) is such a cornerstone of his program, and what that could mean for the future.
Illinois Immersion
Tom Allen bent a knee.
Before the game that would determine, for one week at least, if Hoosier bowl hopes would survive, before a post-game celebration that would include players giving him a game ball for his first Big Ten victory, Allen moved away from everyone to a corner of the small visiting locker room at Illinois' Memorial Stadium to pray and reflect.