During IU's 26-22 loss to Illinois Saturday afternoon, senior quarterback Matt LoVecchio ran out of the pocket for 10 yards and picked up a first down while getting injured and possibly suffering a concussion. Redshirt freshman Blake Powers relieved LoVecchio for the remainder of the game.\nLoVecchio was unavailable for comment after throwing for 207 yards on 15 of 17 passes.\nThis isn't the first time LoVecchio has suffered a concussion playing for the cream and crimson. Last season, during the second half against Ohio State, LoVecchio got hit and later left the game. He subsequently sat out the next one against Minnesota.\nWhether or not LoVecchio suffered a concussion or not is still unknown, IU coach Gerry DiNardo said.\n"It's a head thing, but I don't know (if it's a concussion)," DiNardo said. "I think that's a tough thing to diagnose quickly. I don't know whether it was from contact or if it happened when he hit the ground."
DOSE OF THEIR OWN MEDiCINE\nAgainst Michigan Oct. 2, IU used a fake punt against the Wolverines, picking up a first down and keeping the crowd in the game.\nIllinois pulled the same trick out of the Hoosiers' bag during the first quarter. Junior punter Steve Weatherford faked a punt on third and 11 and picked up 12-yards and the first down. The next play resulted in a touchdown, cutting the lead to 19-7.\nAfter the play, the crowd of 41,458 became more active and raucous, helping the Illini snap a 14-game Big Ten losing streak, Weatherford said.\n"It was definitely a momentum swing," Weatherford said. "It's always a big play when you can get a first down on fourth down."
THAT IS TIGHT\n Going into the game against Illinois, Hoosier tight ends had caught only nine passes all season. During the game against the Illini, LoVecchio and Powers looked to the tight ends more often, hitting sophomore Chris Rudanovic six times for 62 yards, including a 27-yard reception in the fourth quarter. \n"(I'm) a freight train that goes very slow," Rudanovic, the Sussex, N.J., native, said. "I got very excited when I caught the ball and saw a little (defensive back) coming at me."
STARTING FAST\nIU continued the trend of starting fast by scoring 19 points in its first three possessions against Illinois. It was the first time since October 2001 against Wisconsin, a 63-32 win, that the Hoosiers started on such a high note. The pace was fast from the outset as LoVecchio hit junior wide receiver Jahkeen Gilmore on an 80-yard pass. It was the longest offensive scoring play of the season for IU, and the first since 1999 that IU had a passing touchdown for 80 yards or more.
EXTRA POINTS\nSophomores Tyson Beattie and Troy Grosfield sat out against Illinois as both were arrested earlier in the week for criminal mischief and resisting law enforcement. IU will be making its last television appearance against Penn State, Saturday at noon. The Hoosiers have never beat the Nittany Lions, going 0-9. The Battle for the Old Oaken Bucket against Purdue in West Lafayette Nov. 20 will not be televised.\n-- Contact staff writer Dan Click at
DOSE OF THEIR OWN MEDiCINE\nAgainst Michigan Oct. 2, IU used a fake punt against the Wolverines, picking up a first down and keeping the crowd in the game.\nIllinois pulled the same trick out of the Hoosiers' bag during the first quarter. Junior punter Steve Weatherford faked a punt on third and 11 and picked up 12-yards and the first down. The next play resulted in a touchdown, cutting the lead to 19-7.\nAfter the play, the crowd of 41,458 became more active and raucous, helping the Illini snap a 14-game Big Ten losing streak, Weatherford said.\n"It was definitely a momentum swing," Weatherford said. "It's always a big play when you can get a first down on fourth down." THAT IS TIGHT\n Going into the game against Illinois, Hoosier tight ends had caught only nine passes all season. During the game against the Illini, LoVecchio and Powers looked to the tight ends more often, hitting sophomore Chris Rudanovic six times for 62 yards, including a 27-yard reception in the fourth quarter. \n"(I'm) a freight train that goes very slow," Rudanovic, the Sussex, N.J., native, said. "I got very excited when I caught the ball and saw a little (defensive back) coming at me." STARTING FAST\nIU continued the trend of starting fast by scoring 19 points in its first three possessions against Illinois. It was the first time since October 2001 against Wisconsin, a 63-32 win, that the Hoosiers started on such a high note. The pace was fast from the outset as LoVecchio hit junior wide receiver Jahkeen Gilmore on an 80-yard pass. It was the longest offensive scoring play of the season for IU, and the first since 1999 that IU had a passing touchdown for 80 yards or more. EXTRA POINTS\nSophomores Tyson Beattie and Troy Grosfield sat out against Illinois as both were arrested earlier in the week for criminal mischief and resisting law enforcement. IU will be making its last television appearance against Penn State, Saturday at noon. The Hoosiers have never beat the Nittany Lions, going 0-9. The Battle for the Old Oaken Bucket against Purdue in West Lafayette Nov. 20 will not be televised.\n-- Contact staff writer Dan Click at
