CHICAGO – It would be difficult to find an Indiana football fan who isn’t impressed by coach Kevin Wilson’s offensive philosophy. However, when the opponent has the football, cringe and frown are words that often are associated with the Hoosiers’ defense.

If Wilson’s fifth IU team is going to position itself for bowl eligibility for the first time since 2007, it likely will be because the Hoosiers are vastly improved defensively.

Indiana, 5-7 in 2014, finished 14th and last in Big Ten Conference pass defense (251.1 yards a game), 13th in scoring defense (32.8 points), 11th in total defense (433.8 yards a game) and 10th in rushing defense (182.7 yards a game).

During Thursday’s Big Ten Media Days at Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, Wilson and senior defensive tackle Adarius Rayner addressed the defensive issues, which began with the dismissal of junior safety Antonio Allen, who was arrested in June and charged with dealing cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. Allen led last season’s defense with 74 tackles.

Wilson also revealed that cornerback Donovan Clark, a former South Side standout, will be limited in the fall because of a back injury, and cornerback Kenny Mullen, a Bishop Luers product, has decided not to play a fifth season after graduating.

Redshirt sophomore safety Chase Dutra, who made 34 tackles to go with three interceptions and five passes broken up, will be asked to lead a young secondary.

"Down the stretch, Chase Dutra probably was our best defender and was by far our best leader of that group," Wilson said. "As far as replacing production, we were last in the league in pass defense. We expect a significant improvement. We are going to have to have great secondary play, and we will have to have a lot of young people step up."

Especially with the ugly details of the Allen arrest.

"We thought it was an isolated incident with one individual," Wilson said. "We got at it immediately to be a stronger team. Through that and since that, we have been the best we have been collectively with strong leadership. We rebounded from that very quickly."

Rayner, who made 12 tackles including two for losses as a junior, acknowledges that if the Indiana defense is to be productive, young cornerbacks and safeties must be productive.

Indiana gave up 34 points or more seven times last season and was 1-6 in those games.

"(The secondary) is a work in progress," Rayner said. "We have a couple of veterans back there, and we have some freshmen who are ready to roll. (Allen) was an unfortunate event, but we have to get on to the season and start playing."

With senior end Nick Mangieri, junior tackle Darius Latham, sophomore tackle Nate Hoff and Rayner, Indiana could have a solid defensive line. Wilson also talked Thursday about how eager he is to see freshmen defensive linemen Jacob Robinson and Brandon Wilson develop.

"I think the strength of our football team is the line of scrimmage," Wilson said. "If you can’t play up front in the Big Ten, you can’t play winning Big Ten football."

Like his coach, Rayner is excited about the defensive line depth Robinson and Wilson will add.

"I have seen that they are ready to work," Rayner said. "They are listening well, and as linemen, they are really good. We also can be improved by studying the places where we gave up yards and why we lapsed. I think the sky is the limit as to how much better our defense can be. It’s a new year and a new team. Everyone I have seen has gotten better.

Indiana switched to a 3-4 defensive scheme in 2014 and improved its total yards allowed by 94 a game.

"I felt more comfortable," Rayner said of the 3-4. "Now, I have the freedom to move and create more confusion on the offensive side. They know I am not coming straight at them."

WR to miss year

Wilson said sophomore wide receiver and projected starter J-Shun Harris will be sidelined for the 2015 season after suffering an ACL injury during the summer.

Harris, from Fishers, caught 18 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns in 2014.

"J-Shun was injured during the first week of summer, and I made a big deal with our team that we keep a family matter a family matter," Wilson said. "We have known for a long time that J-Shun is going to be out. It is a large loss. It is a tough thing for J-Shun."

Student support?

Wilson, 14-34 in four seasons at IU, was asked Thursday if he is concerned about the lack of student attendance at home games.

"I would like it to be better, but at the same time, we have played exciting football, and we have a great home schedule this year," Wilson said.

"It is our job to play the brand of ball on top of all the window dressing we have done to make it more fan friendly. When you come to games, you come to see your team win football games."