Power in numbers

The Hoosiers loss in Evanston,Ill., was more than just another mark in the loss column. It was full of pain and devastation, and not because of the hits sustained during the game.\nAgainst Northwestern, the Hoosiers finally found their second-half game that they had been lacking all season. If only IU could've found their overtime game as well.\nBefore I get to the quagmire known as the IU football program, let me first touch on two Hoosier bright spots. First of all, let's congratulate Matt LoVecchio on achieving a career high in passing yards. Against Northwestern, LoVecchio finally looked like a complete quarterback by leading the Hoosiers in the air as well as on the ground. Secondly, let's give Courtney Roby a round of applause. Saturday, he became IU's career receptions leader and is closing in on becoming IU's all-time leader in yards received. Roby has been a rock solid receiver since the moment he arrived on campus, and if you see him out, you should shake his hand and thank him for his contributions to an IU program that has been seemingly forever stuck in a state of football doldrums.\nNow let me shift my focus to game against Northwestern. What does it say about this IU team when two different players can achieve career best marks and still lose? Is IU football forever destined to be bad no matter how well the team performs? Let's hope not, especially for you 857s.\nOffensively, it appears the Hoosiers have finally found a rhythm. LoVecchio has steadily improved from week to week and, from a numbers standpoint, had his best game as a collegian. Unfortunately, as the passing game has begun to improve, the running game is taking steps (and yards for that fact) backwards. Against Northwestern, BenJarvus Green-Ellis was held to less than three yards per carry and less than 50 total yards before overtime. It seems as though Green-Ellis' play has slowly been declining since the beginning of the season and I'm not one to believe in a "sophomore slump." I think he's still basking from last year's accomplishments and might want to hit a hole every now and then. I can't remember the last time he broke a tackle. And let's be honest, there haven't been gaping holes created by this injury-riddled offensive line.\nBased on past IU defenses, this unit looks like the steel curtain. The team in no way resembles past versions of itself. The defense is creating turnovers and making third-and-short stands. But they don't seem to have the talent or depth to put a whole game together and have more brain farts than me (but that's a closed-door conversation). \nFor some reason though, the defense can't stop teams with running quarterbacks. Nonetheless, it's refreshing to know the Hoosiers don't have to rely entirely on their offense any more -- which is convenient since the offense is one of the bottom feeders in the Big Ten.\nIU coach Gerry DiNardo has his team headed in the right direction but who knows how long it'll take to get there. Whether it's next week or next season, the Hoosiers are close to turning the corner and finally becoming a force in the Big Ten. Maybe by your senior year, freshmen.