IU football team reflects on Homecoming's meaning

The game marks the finale of IU Homecoming events. After Big Man On Campus, the parade, the pep rally and Hoosier Hysteria, the football team takes the field.  

IU coach Bill Lynch said he knows it means a lot to his team, but also to the fans.
“Homecoming weekend is big on this college campus,” Lynch said. “I never met anybody that went to IU and didn’t love it, and they love coming back.”

Lynch said he knows there will be a lot of former players in the stands watching the game closely, and he reminds the team that there will be past players watching for their old number or their old positions on the field.

IU has a large base of alumni, many of whom have fond memories of their days at school, Lynch said.

The football team knows they’re representing the traditions of many Hoosiers that came before them.

“I think it means a lot,” sophomore defensive tackle Adam Replogle said. “We’re out here trying to represent them and what they’ve done. Hopefully we can do that in a good manner.”

Replogle said the players recognize the history that comes along with Homecoming, and it is important to the team to live up to that.

“It has that extra motivation because you want to win at home, and it’s your Homecoming,” redshirt junior Brandon McGhee said.

The game generally sees great turnout across generations. Lynch said it may be the only weekend some alumni choose to be back on campus.

McGhee said the stadium during Homecoming is close to being sold out.

“It’s Indiana Hoosier tradition — I love it here,” McGhee said. “Homecoming is always a nice time, nice crowd, and it’s good to see the fans
out there.”

There isn’t much more pressure, McGhee said, because the team prepares for each game in the same way.

But he said it is especially important to the seniors to win at home. There are only so many home games, and Homecoming brings a great atmosphere.

The players definitely understand that there is something that rings true with the Homecoming game, Lynch said.

“The football game is part of the weekend, and our job is to put on a good show and make them proud of this football team,” he said. “It is always a special day.”

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Here are some of 2010’s team leaders:

Ben Chappell, No. 4 — This senior quarterback from Bloomington has thrown for 33 touchdowns and 5,432 yards in his career. Just this year, he has 1,476 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Darius Willis, No. 28 — This redshirt sophomore running back has a career of 885 rushing yards with 278 already this year. Four touchdowns are already on his stat sheet for the 2010 season.

Damarlo Belcher, No. 88 — Junior wide receiver, Belcher, has 389 yards this season with two touchdowns and 35 receptions. In the game against Michigan, he had 91 yards, ten receptions and a touchdown.

Ted Bolser, No. 83 — Freshman tight end has four touchdowns already this year along with 10 receptions. He had two touchdowns against Akron.

Tyler Replogle, No. 46 — Senior linebacker and defensive captain has 158 career tackles with two interceptions and a forced fumble.