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 faces the challenge of his father's open heart surgery and a trip to Virginia in a 2017 non-conference opener that resulted in a quarterback surprise and an inspirational finish.
VIRGINIA CHALLENGE
Tom Allen Sr. wasn't there and it hurt.
The father was always there, at games, at many of the practices.