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(10/04/04 5:55am)
It was the same song, different day for the Hoosiers. \nThe Michigan Wolverines put away an IU team in the second half of Saturday's contest, 35-14. After threatening from the red zone three times and keeping the game within a touchdown in the first half, Michigan went on a 21-7 rout in the latter half to secure the 35-14 win.\nThe Hoosiers had a second half reminiscent of IU's meltdowns against Michigan State and Kentucky as the Hoosiers' last four opponents have now outscored IU 92-29 in the second half. \nHowever, DiNardo said he didn't feel as if IU had the same second-half problems that have plagued the Hoosiers throughout the season.\n"Our defense as a whole showed that this wasn't like last week. We did lose the second half, without question," DiNardo said. "But I don't think it would be fair to the team to say that this was the same. It was the same result but not the same attitude and not the same demeanor."\nThe trouble began in the second half right from the get-go as Michigan senior Grant Mason returned a kickoff for 97 yards to give the Wolverines the ball at the IU 3-yard line. The Hoosier defense made the best of a bad situation by stuffing the Michigan offense on the ensuing three plays, but were unable to stop running back Michael Hart's fourth-down touchdown dive.\nSenior defensive tackle Jodie Clemons said he was proud of the stand the Hoosier defense made on the goal line, but said the work was all for nothing because the Wolverines managed to punch the ball in the end zone.\nJunior linebacker Kyle Killion said it was a learning experience.\n"You can tell the team was still in the battle-back mode to try to win," Killion said. "We almost got the stop, but we didn't and all we can do is learn from that."\nMason's 97-yard kick return wasn't the only problem the Hoosiers had with special teams as sophomore Leon Hall also added a 76-yard punt return touchdown in the second quarter to place the score at 14-7 in the Wolverines' favor.\nThe Hoosiers stopped Michigan's ground game, limiting the Wolverines rush offense to a mere 93 yards. Unfortunately for IU, Michigan's pass offense more than made up for any troubles the Wolverines had on the ground as freshman quarterback Chad Henne completed 17 of 21 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns. \nHenne also proved to be a master of the long ball, as the shortest of his touchdown passes was a 38-yard pass to Braylon Edwards in the third quarter. \nHenne and Edwards proved to be the largest problems for IU. Edwards finished the game with eight catches for 165 yards and two touchdowns, including a 69-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter.\nIU junior linebacker Paul Szczesny blamed Michigan's ability to stretch the Hoosier defense out with the long ball on poor pass rushing. \n"They hit us on big plays and there's nothing we can do about that," Szczesny said. "You can't win if you give up big plays like that and we didn't win because of that."\nOther than the long plays, IU had troubles with self-inflicted wounds as well. The first of which was a costly missed snap by Chris Jahnke over senior quarterback Matt LoVecchio's head from the Michigan 14 caused a 29-yard loss that eventually led to a punt and a missed scoring opportunity. The Hoosiers also suffered from an inability to convert third downs as IU finished 0-12 in third down situations while Michigan converted on 10 of 15. \nWhile the box score might lend itself to the notion that little has changed in IU's inability to execute in the second half, Szczesny said the Hoosier defense can play with anyone in the country if IU can contain the long ball.\n"We tried to come out strong in the second half and I'm very proud of the way the defense played," Szczesny said. "Our main focus was to stop the run and we did that. Now we've got to eliminate a few big plays and we're right there and we can play with anybody." \n-- Contact staff writer Dan Patrick at djpatric@indiana.edu.
(09/30/04 6:16pm)
"Star Wars" is finally here on DVD, and, frankly, if you don't know the plots of these movies, you must have been stuck under a rock on Tatooine for the last 27 years. As for the DVDs, the release is filled with great stuff. The set consists of four discs with each of the movies, and a bonus material disc that comes with numerous documentaries and featurettes about the creation of the movies, the "Star Wars" universe and the cultural effect of the movies. It also includes a playable demo of yet another "Star Wars" video game.\nThe bonus material disc comes with a two-and-a-half hour documentary, "Empire of Dreams," about the creation and fan appeal of the movies. The documentary itself is good, but has been cheapened a bit by its recent release on television. In total, it's all good stuff. \nWhile George Lucas has kept the original trilogy off the DVD format like a scruffy-looking nerfherder, the wait is finally over to hear and see the original movies in all of their grandeur. However, when one sees the word "original" in relation to these movies, it is only in regard to the chronological order of the movies because these are the altered versions of the movies, but more on that later.\nVisually, the movies never looked or sounded better with remastered sound and video taken from the original film. With a surround sound system, these movies will absolutely blow you away with the brilliance of John Williams' score, the hum of the lightsabers and the deathly sound of Darth Vader's breathing apparatus. Visually, the sand has never been so rich on Tatooine, and the snow has never been brighter on Hoth.\nThat said, George Lucas still couldn't keep his grubby mitts off the film as more changes have been done to the film since the 1997 theater re-release. The most noticeable changes include a more detailed digital Jabba the Hutt in "A New Hope" and Hayden Christensen's (Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in the prequel films) appearance as Vader's force ghost alongside Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda in the final scene of "Return of the Jedi." All in all, the changes are subtle with the exception of Christensen's appearance, but Lucas explains his decision to make the change in the audio commentary. \nThe audio commentary is well-done and comes complete with George Lucas (duh!), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Ben Burtt (sound designer), Dennis Muren (visual effects supervisor) and the directors of each of the movies. The commentary goes through various, though creative, decisions about the plot, overview of special effects and many other aspects one has come to expect from an audio commentary track. Among the most interesting commentary is Burtt about his decisions as a sound designer, including the origin of such iconic sounds as the lightsaber hum, the engine sounds of the ships and the R2-D2's beeps. \nWhen it's all said and done, you will be saying to the DVD, "I love these movies," and the DVD will only coolly reply, "I know"
(09/30/04 4:24am)
The life of a lineman can be quantified in four simple words: All guts, no glory. \nPlay after play, down after down, the big guys in the trenches make hits and open holes for both the running backs and quarterback. If they do their job, the offense prospers; if they don't, the team falters. \nRegardless of the outcome, the linemen get the least recognition from the casual observer. However, IU linemen said they actually get some satisfaction from the relative anonymity of their positions. \n"I love it, actually. I've been a lineman all my life and that's just something you grow to appreciate," junior Adam Hines said. "You just have to assume that you're not going to get recognized, but that's the way we like it. We don't care about all the hype because that's for everybody else."\nHype has never been the intent for the guys on the line of scrimmage. Junior Isaac Sowells said the attention backs receive can actually be taken as a compliment upon the line itself.\n"It really doesn't bother me as a lineman," Sowells said. "If the running back is getting all of the attention, he must be doing pretty well, which reflects on us because we're the ones doing the blocking."\nHype or no hype, it is essential for the big guys to play as a team. Offensive line coach Steve Addazio said team unity has to be its strongest amongst the offensive linemen. According to Addazio, they all must learn to work as a cohesive unit in order to successfully block on the field. \n"Team chemistry is a huge part of what a lineman has to do," Addazio said. "If you've had to work together as a unit over time and have made the same sacrifices over time, that builds a sense of pride and toughness." \nSolidarity isn't the only ingredient of a strong line. Hines said one of the most important attributes of a good unit is its ability to communicate well on the field. \n"Communication is the biggest part of being a lineman. You've got to have everybody on the same page," Hines said. "You've just got to count on the guy next to you to know what they're doing. The more times you've got five guys coming off of the ball hitting the right guy, the better the line will be."\nAddazio said the team's unity goes beyond the end zones and hashmarks and stretches into life off of the field. On the field, the linemen aren't driven by recognition from the average fan, but by an unmitigated devotion to the game. \n"When you put all of these guys together they have a nice chemistry, and these guys genuinely care for each other," Addazio said. "That group of guys, they love the game of football. They just don't love Saturday, they love football. They want to learn the game and it's not about the glory." \nWith so much time spent working toward a common goal, Hines said team unity grows into something larger -- family.\n"We're all buddies off the field and we all hang out. We pretty much do everything together," Hines said. "That's important because that's how you grow as a unit and as a team. You have to be around each other and know where you came from and instead of being a teammate, it's more like a brother." \nWhile team chemistry and camaraderie is strong, the unit's performance hasn't been perfect. The Hoosier line was plagued by false starts throughout Saturday's loss against Michigan State. \n"One of the things we have to work on is our ability to sustain our play throughout the game," Addazio said. "Throughout the season, we have always faltered in the second half and we can't do that."\nOne of the prerequisites for any self-respecting lineman is size and the Hoosiers are no exception. The fearsome five-some dwarf the average person as Hines weighs in at 6-foot-2, 304 pounds, Sowells at 6-foot-3, 317 lbs., senior Chris Jahnke at 6-foot-5, 294 lbs., sophomore Justin Frye at 6-foot-5, 300 lbs., and sophomore Chris Mangiero is the runt of the group at 6-foot-1, 290 lbs. \nWhen the half-pint of any crew tips the scales at 290 pounds, some people can be a little in awe of their presence; however, Sowells said it's all in good fun. \n"It's great to be big, but it also can be a little intimidating for other people," Sowells said. "Some of the smaller kids might see me and walk a little bit faster. But, some people see big guys like us as teddy bears so it all balances out." \nFor every IU lineman, football has transcended the ranks of sports and has become a major point of existence. Jahnke said his affinity for the game gives him the ability to lift the weight, watch the tape and make the hits time and time again. \n"My life is this school and football," Jahnke said. "We come out here day after day, prepare for each opponent and get ready for them. You've got to love the game in order to do that."\n-- Contact staff writer Dan Patrick at djpatric@indiana.edu.
(09/30/04 4:00am)
"Star Wars" is finally here on DVD, and, frankly, if you don't know the plots of these movies, you must have been stuck under a rock on Tatooine for the last 27 years. As for the DVDs, the release is filled with great stuff. The set consists of four discs with each of the movies, and a bonus material disc that comes with numerous documentaries and featurettes about the creation of the movies, the "Star Wars" universe and the cultural effect of the movies. It also includes a playable demo of yet another "Star Wars" video game.\nThe bonus material disc comes with a two-and-a-half hour documentary, "Empire of Dreams," about the creation and fan appeal of the movies. The documentary itself is good, but has been cheapened a bit by its recent release on television. In total, it's all good stuff. \nWhile George Lucas has kept the original trilogy off the DVD format like a scruffy-looking nerfherder, the wait is finally over to hear and see the original movies in all of their grandeur. However, when one sees the word "original" in relation to these movies, it is only in regard to the chronological order of the movies because these are the altered versions of the movies, but more on that later.\nVisually, the movies never looked or sounded better with remastered sound and video taken from the original film. With a surround sound system, these movies will absolutely blow you away with the brilliance of John Williams' score, the hum of the lightsabers and the deathly sound of Darth Vader's breathing apparatus. Visually, the sand has never been so rich on Tatooine, and the snow has never been brighter on Hoth.\nThat said, George Lucas still couldn't keep his grubby mitts off the film as more changes have been done to the film since the 1997 theater re-release. The most noticeable changes include a more detailed digital Jabba the Hutt in "A New Hope" and Hayden Christensen's (Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in the prequel films) appearance as Vader's force ghost alongside Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda in the final scene of "Return of the Jedi." All in all, the changes are subtle with the exception of Christensen's appearance, but Lucas explains his decision to make the change in the audio commentary. \nThe audio commentary is well-done and comes complete with George Lucas (duh!), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Ben Burtt (sound designer), Dennis Muren (visual effects supervisor) and the directors of each of the movies. The commentary goes through various, though creative, decisions about the plot, overview of special effects and many other aspects one has come to expect from an audio commentary track. Among the most interesting commentary is Burtt about his decisions as a sound designer, including the origin of such iconic sounds as the lightsaber hum, the engine sounds of the ships and the R2-D2's beeps. \nWhen it's all said and done, you will be saying to the DVD, "I love these movies," and the DVD will only coolly reply, "I know"
(09/29/04 5:31am)
In an effort to fill Memorial Stadium, the IU Athletics Department announced Monday a "Student Ticket Special." Students can purchase seats to Saturday's IU-Michigan game for $5, a discount of $10 from the usual student ticket price of $15 per game. \n"Part of it is to increase the enthusiasm in the stadium," Assistant Director for Team Marketing & Community Relations Chad Giddens said. "We thought it was a big game."\nGiddens said the decision for the special was made prior to the Michigan State game, in which IU blew a 20-7 halftime lead to lose 30-20 in front of 24,471 fans -- 27,709 less than Memorial Stadium's capacity of 52,180. He also said losing Saturday didn't help ticket sales. \nSaturday's game has been picked up by ABC and will be televised regionally at 2:30 p.m. According to www.iuhoosiers.com, this is the first time that IU will be live on ABC since 2000.\nGiddens said the game being televised might have some impact on ticket sales.\n"Slightly, I guess," he said. "Since it wasn't an 11 a.m. game, students are more likely to come. And everybody gets a little more excited when ABC comes to town."\nOne major factor the "Student Ticket Special" will show is whether ticket prices are a determinant of attendance.\n"If we don't sell a lot of tickets, then we will see that price isn't the issue and it must be something else," he said.\n \nQUICK QUARTERBACKS CREATES IU CONUNDRUM\nWithin the last two losses, IU's defense has been fully exploited by mobile quarterbacks. During both the Kentucky and Michigan State games, the signal callers have actually led their respective teams in rushing. During IU's game against the Wildcats, senior Shane Boyd ran for 130 yards while MSU's quarterback Drew Stanton garnered 134 yards on the ground and averaged 11.2 yards per carry.\nSenior defensive tackle Jodie Clemons said the blame for IU's poor coverage of mobile quarterbacks falls fully on the shoulders of the players. As for improvement later on, Clemons said IU's players have to simply carry out the coach's plans. \n"The quarterback problem is all on us," Clemons said after Saturday's loss against the Spartans. "The coaches gave us a game plan to execute, and if we don't do it, bad things like that happen. Guys not doing their responsibility leads to breakout plays."
(09/27/04 4:49am)
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times for the Hoosier football team Saturday. If Charles Dickens himself could have written the script for a football game, it would probably look like IU's 30-20 loss against Michigan State as the Hoosiers played drastically different between the two halves. \nIn the first two quarters, IU put together a suffocating defense and a productive offense, producing 217 yards of total offense while keeping MSU at an anemic 103 yards. The Hoosiers put the clamps down on the Spartans' passing game as Michigan State only gained 37 yards.\nThe second half would be a different story. Michigan State was able to completely turn the game around, gaining 175 yards on the ground while adding another 135 yards in the air. While the Spartans' offense flourished, IU's offense withered, gaining a total of 41 yards in the second half, including a production of minus three yards rushing. \nSenior defensive tackle Jodie Clemons said he was pleased with IU's play during the first half. He said the Hoosiers didn't adjust well after halftime as Michigan State was able to put up 23 unanswered points in the second half. \n"There's two halves in a football game and in the first half we came out strong and we forced some turnovers," Clemons said. "In the second half, I think they did a really good job of adjusting and understanding what different kinds of defenses we were running and they exploited us." \nJunior linebacker Kyle Killion said he was simply bewildered by IU's discrepancy in play quality between the first half and second half. Killion himself made out rather well, logging 10 solo tackles and two assists, including one tackle for a loss. \n"I don't know what changed, we just went from heroes to zeroes," Killion said. "We can't do that. We've got to play two halves of football."\nMichigan State also used the option game to exploit the Hoosiers as Spartan quarterback Drew Stanton led all rushers with 134 yards and two touchdowns. While DiNardo credited Stanton's speed, he also said the wounds of Saturday's loss were self-inflicted rather than any adjustments the Spartans made during halftime. \n"I thought the greatest change was in their offense against our defense," DiNardo said. "They were able to get in their option game and get in the flow with it. I thought that our lack of offensive production -- us not executing -- was the problem, not them doing something to us."\nRegardless of the reasons, IU players remained respectful to their opponents after the loss. Hoosier senior wide receiver Courtney Roby said his team was simply outplayed by the Spartans in the latter half of the game. \n"We played a good first half and we just broke down in the second," Roby said. "That's really all I can say because they just took it from us because they just played a better second half than we did."\nWhile the loss is tough on the team's confidence, senior quarterback Matt LoVecchio said there were some positives in the game as the Hoosiers were able to dismantle MSU's game in the first half. \n"I think we have the ability to go out and compete with teams," LoVecchio said. "I think we just have to go out and play smart, efficient football on offense and we just didn't do that in the second half." \n-- Contact staff writer Dan Patrick at djpatric@indiana.edu.
(09/24/04 5:40am)
A new season and a new focus have come for the IU football team as it begins Big Ten action Saturday against the 1-2 Michigan State Spartans. The Hoosiers (2-1) seek to avenge both last week's 51-32 loss against the Kentucky Wildcats and their inability to defeat MSU in the last two seasons.\nSaturday's game will also mark IU's attempt to capture the Old Brass Spittoon from the Michigan State Spartans for the first time since the 2001 upset of the then-No. 22 Spartans. IU coach Gerry DiNardo said this game will be especially difficult for the Hoosiers as the Spartans will bring a balanced attack to Memorial Stadium. \n"There isn't any one concern that's out," DiNardo said. "If you want to start with the special teams, they ran back a kickoff for a touchdown and blocked a punt, so that's a concern. Offensively, they do so many different things with the spread offense. Defensively they are very physical. All three are a concern."\nAfter the 19-point spanking IU received at the hands of Kentucky, some wonder whether the Hoosiers will be able to put the loss behind them. However, IU senior Jodie Clemons said the team does not have the time to worry about the previous loss when going up against a team that has outscored the Hoosiers by a margin of 63 points in the last two seasons.\n"Our goal is still attainable. We lost one game, and you can't dwell on that," Clemons said. "We're going against a team that has put up 87 points on us in the past two years, so we've got enough challenges to worry about other than what happened to us this past Saturday."\nMSU has proven to be quite a challenge for the Hoosiers in recent years, but last season's 31-3 loss can be attributed to the arm of MSU's then-senior quarterback Jeff Smoker. Smoker rocked the Hoosiers by completing 32 of 40 passes for 351 yards and two touchdowns. \nEven with the departure of Smoker, IU secondary coach Curt Mallory said the Hoosier defense will still have to watch out for a potent passing game. The MSU offense brings a talented corps of receivers into the mix, with three players logging over 100 yards in receiving. Junior wide receiver Kyle Brown leads the team with 176 yards while senior tight end Eric Knott and junior Matt Trannon logged 128 and 104 yards, respectively. \n"They're a very talented football team," Mallory said. "They're very well balanced with a big offensive line and very skilled wide receivers. Their wide receivers are especially dangerous because there are two or three of them that you have to be aware of at all times on the field." \nWhile the Spartans' talent is unquestionable coming into the game, DiNardo said there are many variables on MSU's offense. One of the largest questions comes from who will start as Michigan State's playcaller as sophomore Drew Stanton, freshman Stephen Reaves and senior Damon Dowdell are all vying for the starting spot.\nAnother possible variable will be MSU's offensive pass/run frequency. \n"Going into the Michigan State game, we don't know how much the quarterback will run the ball," DiNardo said. "My guess is Michigan State is going to see if they are having success running the ball. (Drew) Stanton is coming off of knee surgery. They have some issues on their side as well. They could have three different quarterbacks playing. Whoever is playing quarterback will make a difference on what they want to do."\nOn IU's side of the ball, DiNardo repeatedly stressed improvement of tackling as a goal for this week after the defense's poor performance in the 51-32 loss against Kentucky last Saturday. DiNardo sought to correct the fundamentals, including the ability for IU defenders to stay on their feet and not get "pancaked" by the opposing blockers.\n"Obviously we didn't tackle very well against Kentucky," DiNardo said. "We have to do a better job teaching tackling and protection against the cut block. Those two things happened to us way too many times Saturday. We also got knocked off our feet too much."\nDespite last week's loss and IU's inability to beat the Spartans in recent campaigns, there are some bright spots for the Hoosiers. IU has been able to put up more than 30 points at each of this season's contests. This marks the first time since the 2000 season that the Hoosiers have been able to put up so many points in subsequent games. IU has been able to put up points behind the arm of senior quarterback Matt LoVecchio. LoVecchio had a good outing against Kentucky, completing 12 of 24 passes for 236 yards. \nWhile the Hoosiers seek to start off the Big Ten season with a win for the first time since the 2000 season, IU players remain optimistic that they can start out the 'new season' with a bang.\n"The team's excited because I feel like we've got something to prove after last week's effort," sophomore safety Will Meyers said. "I think everyone's pretty focused on the Big Ten schedule and getting off on the right foot. We've played these teams before, so it's a whole new ballgame."\n-- Contact staff writer Dan Patrick at djpatric@indiana.edu.
(09/16/04 5:10am)
Some athletes can find pregame inspiration in a pair of socks, a ritualistic mix of songs or some other good luck charm. However, for most Hoosier football players, their inspiration comes from a "higher" source - religion.\nFor some Hoosier football players, spirituality plays a large part in their life - both on and off the field. While some express their commitment through personal prayers, the IU team holds a voluntary gameday chapel session for those in need of metaphysical boost.\nPastor Matt Nussbaum and Father Dan Atkins lead the gameday services for players. Nussbaum said his function within the IU football community is to help the players place the football world into context with their spiritual world.\n"In terms of the gameday chapel, my function is to put the story of football into context into the story of their lives with God," Nussbaum said. "(The chapel)'s trying to help them understand more about God." \nBut to the players and Nussbaum, the last two chapels have done more than just give them inspiration. They have made the players look closer at Jesus and challenge themselves to keep things in perspective. \nFor some, prayer has long been a pregame ritual, stretching back to their days within the high school ranks. Junior linebacker Paul Szczesny said an important part of his pregame routine is to read a prayer he has held since his high school days in Illinois. \n"In my locker I have a prayer that I used back in high school called the Athlete Prayer. I read that before each game," Szczesny said. "The main message of that prayer is asking for help and to play with heart and never lose that heart. That's one of the things I try to keep in my mind throughout the whole game." \nPrayer is not the only spiritual outlet for the Hoosier players, as some choose to speak with departed loved ones. Junior Buster Larkins said he speaks with his grandmother prior to each contest to ask for guidance. \n"I talk to my grandmother before every game," Larkins said. "My grandmother passed away about eight years ago, but I always take a moment out before each game to talk to her. It helps me to know that she's out there with me. I don't go into a game without that."\nPrayers and other spiritual rituals not only serve purely as divine inspiration, but also as a calming force prior to the controlled chaos of the football field. \nSzczesny said his prayer allows him to step back and think about what he has to do during the game. Szczesny said he feels blessed to even be a member of the Hoosier football team.\n"It lets me sit there and get away from everything else. It lets me think about things," he said. "Not everybody gets to (play college football) so, I feel very fortunate to be able to do this and I just sit there and reflect on that."\nWhile Nussbaum and Atkins adhere to the Christian side of faith, Nussbaum said IU coach Gerry DiNardo is respectful to any other faith that might be a part of the IU locker room.\n"Coach DiNardo is very good about respecting the players' beliefs," Nussbaum said. "We all try to be respectful and if there is someone in the locker room with another belief, DiNardo would bring in someone for that. Sometimes I eat with the team and I don't preach at them or anything like that. If they want to talk about it, then I'm there for them."\nMost of the Hoosiers choose to use their prayers on a more personal level; however, some IU players pray together, not only for spiritual unity, but for team unity. Junior linebacker Kyle Killion said one of his rituals is to pray with teammate junior Russ Richardson to help each other before the game. \n"Russ Richardson and I always get together before the game and do a quick prayer," Killion said. "We always do it side by side because it helps us get into the game mode and reminds us that we're going to do this as a team."\n-- Contact staff writer Dan Patrick at djpatric@indiana.edu.
(09/14/04 5:06am)
It's been a week of long-belated distinctions for the Hoosier football team. After Saturday's defeat of then No. 24 University of Oregon, IU garnered the team's first road win over a ranked opponent since 2001, the first 2-0 start since 1996 and now the first Hoosier Big Ten Player of the Week in nearly two years. \nSenior safety Herana-Daze Jones was named as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after his performance in Saturday's upset versus the Ducks, the conference announced on its Web site Monday. \nJones had a career day against Oregon, logging nine tackles including one for a loss and was in on two Duck turnovers with one interception and one fumble recovery. His eight solo tackles rank as the third best of his career and his interception was only the fifth of his career.\nJones' statistics were quite impressive in their own right, but their timing was also impeccable. Jones' interception came at an extremely opportune time for the Hoosiers as IU was nursing a 30-24 lead with Oregon knocking on IU's door from the 16-yard line with just over three minutes left in the game. Jones intercepted a screen pass from Oregon quarterback Kellen Clemens, essentially securing IU's victory. \nJones said he was proud of the distinction, but also credited his teammates.\n"(The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week award) makes me feel great," Jones said. "It wouldn't have been possible if my team didn't have such a good game."\nJones' performance was also a marked improvement over his first outing against the Central Michigan University Chippewas, when he amassed six tackles and no interceptions in the 41-10 win against CMU. Jones currently ranks among the top three on the Hoosier squad in total tackles with 15, solo tackles with 12 and interceptions and fumbles recovered with one apiece in the 2004 season. \nThis is Jones' first recognition as a conference Player of the Week and the first Hoosier defender since Kris Dielman received the distinction Sept. 2, 2002 after a 25-17 IU win against The College of William and Mary. The last IU football player, on either side of the ball, to receive the distinction was former Hoosier quarterback Gibran Hamdan, who earned the award Oct. 14, 2002 after he led IU to victory over then No. 23 Wisconsin Badgers. \nThe Oregon win also brings momentum to the Hoosier ranks as the team will battle the University of Kentucky Wildcats Saturday. If the Hoosiers are successful this weekend, it will be the first 3-0 IU football start since 1994.\n"It feels great for us. It's a good momentum booster," Jones said. "We were able to go into a hostile environment and we were able to capture a win against a pretty good team."\n-- Contact staff writer Dan Patrick at djpatric@indiana.edu.
(09/14/04 4:23am)
When fans bought tickets for the Hippy Hill Hoodang event in Bean Blossom, Ind., they expected a large venue with a multitude of local and popular punk bands for an entire weekend. However, all the concertgoers got was a few short hours of music, a rainstorm and a cancelled event with no refund for their troubles.\nTicket prices for the Aug. 27-29 event ranged from $60 to $75 and had scheduled nearly 40 bands including Umphrey's McGee, Leftover Salmon, Col. Bruce Hampton and the Codetalkers, MOFRO, the Zen Tricksters and Brothers Past. The three-day gala attracted an estimated 3,000 spectators, but the music played for only one day. \nHippy Hill Hoodang attendee Mary Beth Davis said she was excited prior to the event, but felt cheated when the rest of the concerts were canceled. \n"I was obviously disappointed. I wanted to be there for the entire weekend because there were a lot of big names at the concert," Davis said. "I would have paid a little more to get in if I knew they didn't have enough money to cover their overhead expenses."\nDespite the unexpected cancelation, none of the spectators has been reimbursed any money from tickets. Davis said she felt insulted that none of the attendees got even a fraction of their money back.\n"I felt cheated that none of us got our money back," Davis said. "None of us even know where the money went and it was especially bad when we didn't even get what we paid for."\nIndyLIVE, the promoters for the event, could not be reached but placed an apology on the Hippy Hill Hoodang Web site, which blamed the lack of recompensation upon IndyLIVE's own lack of funding.\n"IndyLIVE lost money as did other people whose efforts contributed to the concert," the Web site said. "There is nothing we can do but apologize to all those who are, like us, disappointed."\nWhile attractions such as Karl Denson and the Jazz Mandolin Project made it to the stage Friday, bands such as Umphrey's McGee and Leftover Salmon never performed Saturday and Sunday.\nUmphrey's McGee, one of the larger bands at the venue who actually got its start in the Hoosier state, said it did not play because the IndyLIVE promoters said it would be unsafe to play because of the rainy weather.\n"The promoters told us that there would be no amplified electric music to be played (Saturday) evening, even if the weather let up," the band said in a statement. "The sound company did not have proper insurance to cover them if there happened to be any electrical damage or injuries."\nWhile the band was unable to play at the Hippy Hill Hoodang event, Umphrey's McGee does intend to hold a show at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater Oct. 7.\nThe Hippy Hilly Hoodang Web site used to have a fan response forum and an event calendar, which were recently taken down and replaced with the apology.\n"IndyLIVE apologizes to all its fans for the failed Hippy Hill Hoodang," the Web site states now. "IndyLIVE worked hard for about six months and invested our own money to try to make the concert work for the bands and the fans."\nWhile the IndyLIVE website did offer its regrets for the failed event, concert-goers were still left with a sour taste in their mouths.\n"I don't go to a lot of jam band festivals, but I have a lot of friends who have gone to numerous concerts like this and they have never had anything happen like this," Davis said. "While I would attend another event similar to the Hippy Hill Hoodang, I wouldn't go if it was organized by IndyLIVE."\nThe fans aren't the only ones angry with the outcome of the event, as the company hired a sound and lights engineer for the event, Clear Sound and Light Inc., plans to sue IndyLIVE for payment never received, according to a Sept. 1 Indianapolis Star article.\nClear Sound and Light could not be reached for comment by press time.\n-- Contact staff writer Dan Patrick at djpatric@indiana.edu.
(09/13/04 8:55pm)
The Hoosier faithful broke out into a primal roar, followed by the religious incantation of "I-U" again and again until the final mighty psalm of "Indiana We're All For You" filled the air. \nThe crowd noise was absolutely deafening -- worthy of any IU home game. There was just one problem -- the Hoosiers played some 2,400 miles away in Eugene, Ore., against the No. 24 Oregon Ducks. \nWhile the game was an epic battle, culminating in the David's 30-24 defeat of Goliath, the availability of the game was quite scarce as only Yogi's Bar and Grill and the City Grille actually picked up the game for viewers.\nThe small amount of venues led to crazy crowds full of the Hoosier faithful. At Yogi's, the bar was filled with fans, all united in the hope that IU would become victorious. Senior Marc Magill echoed the throng's sentiments that he had waited his entire college career for such a win. \n"I have never felt so great," Magill said. "I never thought in my entire life we would beat a ranked team, this is unbelievable. I've been waiting three years for something like this."\nWhile some fans remain faithful purely to the cream and crimson gridiron, for others, IU's win evoked memories of other momentous Hoosier sports events, such as the basketball team's 2002 Final Four run. \n"This is one of the best times that I've had in five years," senior Joe Sum said. "It's almost better than the Duke (2002 Sweet Sixteen) win, but not quite."\nWhile most people think of IU as purely a basketball school, there were some football die-hards in attendance to watch the Hoosiers' improbable win. IU fan Ryan Garcia said the win was like no other experience in his life. \n"Since I've been here, I've followed IU football -- even more than basketball," Garcia said. "This is possibly the greatest day of my life."\nGarcia wasn't the only one of the cream and crimson faithful who ranked the experience amongst the greatest in their life. However, the fans weren't the only ones who benefitted from the win as IU coach Gerry DiNardo gained some respect from his fans. \n"I've got a headache, I'm drunk, and IU just won against a ranked team," junior Jason Myers said. "This is the greatest day of my life and Gerry DiNardo is my man."\nThe win also brought a number of optimistic predictions for the 2004 Hoosier campaign. After the game, fan predictions varied greatly from a respectable 6-5 season to an improbable undefeated Rose Bowl berth. However, one constant ran throughout all fan prophecies -- a certain breakfast dish that hasn't been graced by IU football's presence since 1993. \n"I've been following the Hoosier football team for two years and at 2-0, I believe we're going to a bowl game," senior Eric Wunderlich said. "I really think we can pull wins out against Kentucky, Illinois, Northwestern, Penn State and Michigan State. This is going to be a great year."\nWhile the unblemished 2-0 record will most definitely add some fans to the IU bandwagon, some Hoosier die-hards believe the credit is long overdue. \n"Two weeks ago, nobody believed in the Hoosiers," senior Rich Rosenzweig said. "This week, people are starting to believe and I believed from day one -- IU's going bowling"
(09/13/04 5:37am)
One week ago in a 41-10 rout of Central Michigan University, defense was the name of the game for the Hoosiers. With stellar play from both the defensive and special teams units, IU easily handled CMU for the easy win. \nAfter Saturday's 30-24 upset of the No. 24 Oregon Ducks, it can be said that not much changed in a week. \nWhile the Ducks are a far cry from the Chippewas, the Hoosier defense stayed true to last week's performance, forcing seven turnovers including four fumbles and three interceptions. \nIU coach Gerry DiNardo attributed the win to IU's stellar defensive play.\n"This is a great feeling. The win was terrific," DiNardo said in a statement. "The defense won the game for us with the seven turnovers, and the special teams and offense also contributed."\nOregon coach Mike Bellotti echoed DiNardo's sentiments, blaming the loss both on the Ducks' plethora of turnovers and IU's stellar defense. \n"I credit Indiana. They did a lot of things to help themselves win. We just turned the ball over way too many times," Bellotti said. "I thought their defense played very well."\nA trio of Hoosier defenders ruled the roost as IU's Buster Larkins, junior, logged 10 solo tackles and one interception while senior Herana-Daze Jones added nine tackles and one interception, and junior Kyle Killion matched Jones' numbers and added a sack for good measure. \nJones' interception could not have come at a more opportune time for the Hoosiers, as the Ducks had first down on IU's 16 yard line with less than three minutes left in the game. Oregon quarterback Kellen Clemens tried to run a screen pass for a score, but Jones picked off the pass. \nJones accredited the stellar play to his recognition of the same play being run earlier in the contest. \n"I ran past it the first time," Jones said. "I saw the quarterback dropping back, and I was supposed to blitz, but I stayed back and just grabbed it."\nThe special teams also did their part in the win, as senior Bryan Robertson connected on all three of his field goals and sophomore Lance Bennett completed a 98-yard kickoff return in the third quarter for IU's final score. \nOregon's DeMetrius Williams blamed Oregon's defeat upon the early momentum the Hoosiers gained as IU blanked the Ducks 23-0 in the first half. While the Ducks were able to get back in the game, Williams said the team still hurt after such a defeat. \n"You can't let teams get on you early. I thought we battled back as a team, but this loss hurts," Williams said. "Any loss hurts, but the way it ended was hard. But it's a learning experience."\nDefense wasn't the only deciding factor in Saturday's game as IU players felt as if they weren't receiving enough credit from either the Oregon team or fans. \nSenior wide receiver Courtney Roby said the team was fired up by the lack of respect his team received prior to the game. \n"We felt disrespected coming in here," Roby said. "Then we came back to bite them."\nAnother deciding factor may have been the final gelling of the Hoosiers as a team after three years of rebuilding with a new coach. DiNardo said the win wasn't only because of Saturday's play, but the extended work of the team he has been building since his 2001 arrival as head coach. \n"It's not just today, it's a culmination of the last few years," DiNardo said. "We've been building for something like this and you can never tell when it will come."\n-- Contact staff writer Dan Patrick at djpatric@indiana.edu.
(09/09/04 4:35am)
Big, strong, talented and quiet. Four words that are thrown around without reprieve when the IU football team speaks about their defensive captain, senior Jodie Clemons. \nAs Clemons enters the twilight of his college career, Clemons feels the senior pinch with every passing second on the football field. Clemons said the game clocks in the locker rooms serve as a constant reminder to the imminent ending of both the 2004 season and his own tenure as a Hoosier. \n"I'm in my last year and we're definitely at a breaking point right now. I just try to seize the day," Clemons said. "That's all I keep thinking about. Every day that goes by I can't get it back because it's my last year."\nDefensive line coach Joe Cullen praised Clemons' drive to improve his game and his leadership on the gridiron. \n"He's a great leader," Cullen said. "He's had a great work ethic in the three years that I've known him. He works to be the best, he works at a 100 miles an hour, and the young guys really follow him."\nClemons, an imposing figure at 6-foot-2, 283 pounds, chooses not to lead by force, but by example. Both teammates and coaches said Clemons rarely chooses to raise his voice, but simply plays his own game. \nThis sort of soft-spoken demeanor is an asset to Clemons both on and off the field, as his teammates said his no-nonsense style of play provides a template for all Hoosier defensive linemen on the field.\n"If you watch him at his actions, you will see what type of leadership he has on the field," junior defensive end Victor Adeyanju said. "At times when we're down and we're not doing so well, he can also bring us up and tell us, 'Come on,' and rile up the troops."\nAdeyanju said Clemons' quiet demeanor also serves him off the field, as he is incredibly accessible and friendly at the end of the game. Clemons also adds to the team atmosphere as the team barber.\n"Off the field, this guy is one of the greatest people I have ever met," Adeyanju said. "He also cuts my hair and I can call him up any time so I like him. He's also a really cool, really laid-back guy."\nClemons said his demure has always been a part of his life and does not believe a leader on the field must also inherently be a vocal leader. \n"I've never really been a big motivational guy. You don't have to yell and scream to get ready to play," Clemons said. "But talk is cheap. It doesn't get the play done, it doesn't get your responsibility done."\nHis belief against a loud mouth on the field translates to both sides of the ball as he does not believe trash talk is a useful tactic against him. However, if an opponent does choose to talk, Clemons said he will simply dominate his opponent with his game, not his mouth. \n"If a guy's talking, that's fine because that's what they choose to do," Clemons said. "As a player, you still have to focus on the task at hand and if the opponent chooses to talk, then I'll just beat him with my game."\nIf last Saturday's game against Central Michigan can be used as a gauge, Clemons can indeed back up his lack of words. Clemons finished the game with two solo tackles and also recorded a 10-yard, fourth down sack on an important drive in the second quarter that turned the ball over and essentially broke CMU's back. \nAdeyanju said Clemons also possesses a knowledge of the defensive side of football that few players in the country can match. \n"He's a great person who provides tremendous leadership," Adeyanju said. "He knows every position on the defensive line and knows where the linebackers are supposed to be." \nCullen echoed Adeyanju's sentiments and also said Clemons' knowledge of the ins and outs of the defensive game allows for more speed and explosiveness when reading an offense. \n"He's really smart and he sees things, he picks things up, he reads stances and that makes him faster," Cullen said. "He has a great knack for making the big play. He's technically as good of a defensive lineman that I've coached in a long time."\nWhile his teammates and coaches have nothing but praise for the lineman, Clemons' goals remain humble as he only wants to leave the legacy of a hard-working player behind. \n"I just want to leave a legacy of hard work," Clemons said. "Just listen to the coach and do what you're supposed to do. If it's a play that you're supposed to make, just make the play. Just be solid."\n-- Contact staff writer Dan Patrick at djpatric@indiana.edu.
(09/06/04 6:35am)
One of the most important concepts in any sport is the ability to start off on the right foot. If Saturday's 41-10 defeat of the Central Michigan Chippewas is any indication, the Hoosiers have just begun the 2004 campaign firmly planted on solid ground.\nIU showed impressive play throughout the game, highlighted by the defensive and special teams units. The special teams kept Central Michigan deep in their own territory, forcing the Chippewas to start drives from within their own 10-yard line three times.\nIU coach Gerry DiNardo said he was happy with the special teams play and was especially impressed with senior kicker Bryan Robertson and sophomore punter Tyson Beattie. \n"The kickoff team did well today," DiNardo said. "Bryan (Robertson) kicked well and that always put them on a long field. Tyson Beattie also did well on the punt, and it was mostly generated by the special teams."\nThe defensive unit followed the special teams' lead, collecting four sacks, two interceptions and nine tackles for loss. The defense's play was highlighted by freshman Tracy Porter who made an impressive debut, making his mark on the IU record books in just his first game. \nPorter became the first Hoosier in six years to intercept two passes in one game and also returned a 96-yard touchdown interception in the beginning of the third quarter, good for the second longest return in Memorial Stadium history. Porter attributed the play to simply being at the right place at the right time. \n"I was not expecting that to happen, but I was right there and I made the play," Porter said. "The whole way I kept thinking that someone was behind me, and that kept my speed up."\nWhile the Hoosiers ended up with the victory, the entire game wasn't smooth sailing as the Chippewas hung around for much of the first half. Holding onto a 13-3 lead with less than three minutes left on the clock in the second quarter, disaster almost struck for the Hoosiers as Central Michigan recovered a Chris Taylor fumble on the IU 28-yard line. \nThree plays later, CMU decided to roll the dice, running a pass play on fourth and 15. But, a sack by senior defensive tackle Jodie Clemons, gave IU the ball on its own 43 and set up a 46-yard touchdown pass for senior Matt LoVecchio to senior wide receiver Travis Haney. \nClemons said he was happy with his fourth down sack, but deflected the praise to his teammates for allowing him to break through the line and get to the Chippewa quarterback.\n"I feel great personally, it's just good," Clemons said. "I just give credit to my teammates. We had a blitz on and I just fought through a double-team and the quarterback ended up in my lap, and it was kind of a surprise. I'm happy that it happened and it got us off the field and that's the important part."\nWhile the defense played well in the game, at the end of the night, Central Michigan actually had more total yards, gaining 389 to IU's 334. CMU's play was highlighted by sophomore running back Jerry Seymour, who gained 122 yards off of 21 carries and garnered 62 yards from six catches. Chippewas coach Brian Kelly said he was impressed with Seymour's play, but expected the yards from his starting tailback.\n"We know that Jerry is our superstar," Kelly said. "We knew that they were going to load the box against our spread and Jerry still found some running room."\nWhile Seymour had a great outing for Central Michigan, the Hoosiers also had a strong showing on the ground, rushing for 206 yards. Coming into the game, there was a lot of speculation on the running back situation with sophomore BenJarvus Green-Ellis and juniors Chris Taylor and Yamar Washington each vying for the starting position. While Green-Ellis got the starting nod from DiNardo with 97 yards off of 28 carries, all three contributed to IU's cause and all three scored a touchdown. \nWith such an impressive win providing momentum for the Hoosiers, the team seems poised to begin its journey into the rest of the season. But, IU will need all the momentum it can get with a date with the No. 24 Oregon Ducks just around the corner. \n"Momentum is very important," Haney said. "It gives the offense a lot of confidence in our defense, it give the defense a lot of confidence in our offense and just knowing if they get the ball off of the turnover, that we will take advantage and score points. We really needed this win and it helped us out tremendously."\n-- Contact staff writer Dan Patrick at djpatric@indiana.edu.
(09/06/04 5:06am)
IU School of Medicine Dean of Research Ora H. Pescovitz has been named as the president and chief executive officer of the Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. Pescovitz has worked with both the University and Riley as a pediatrican for 16 years. \nPescovitz said she is looking forward to taking on the duties of CEO at such a prestigious children's hospital and is enthusiastic about juggling her new duties with her current position of Dean of the School of Medicine. \n"I'm very excited. It's really a dream job for me," Pescovitz said. "It's also the opportunity to work with two wonderful jobs, as I will continue as dean of the IU School of Medicine."\nWhile working two highly prestigious and challenging jobs might not sound like a paradise to the average person, Pescovitz is looking forward to the chance to bring the School of Medicine and Riley Hospital closer together. \n"It's definitely more challenging. However, both jobs are extremely consistent with each other," Pescovitz said. "While I am working with both the Riley Hospital and the University, I will be able to better align the school's mission and the hospital's mission, which would be extremely beneficial to both parties."\nIU School of Medicine Dean D. Craig Brater said both the University and Riley have tailored Pescovitz's positions in order to give her time to do the best possible job in both of her positions. \n"One of the keys is that with Riley, there will be a chief operations officer, or COO, who will do the heavy lifting that will give her meaningful time to do her job with the University," Brater said. "We tailored the position so (the University) would not lose her skill set."\nRichard L. Schreiner, M.D., physician-in-chief of Riley Hospital, said he trusts Pescovitz with the reins of the hospital because she possesses a great amount of expertise in a number of areas.\n"Ora possesses amazing abilities in all areas of medicine -- patient care, teaching, research, administration and advocacy," Schreiner said in a press release. "She is visionary and passionate about all that is important in health care and academic medicine, especially in all that relate to the health of our children. This appointment is the perfect prescription for great things at Riley Hospital for Children, Clarian Health Partners, Indiana University School of Medicine and the well-being of children."\nBrater echoed Schreiner's sentiments, highlighting both her medicinal expertise and her personality as excellent prerequisites for the position. \n"She takes care of children with endocrinology problems, and her patients think very highly of her," Brater said. "I don't think there's any question that she's a skilled doctor." \nPescovitz has high goals for her new CEO position, including bringing Riley into the national spotlight as a forerunner in pediatric care. \n"My main goal is to gain Riley recognition as one of the best children's hospitals in the country," Pescovitz said. "We are currently the best in Indiana, but we want to become one of the leaders amongst national children's hospitals."\n-- Contact staff writer Dan Patrick at djpatric@indiana.edu.
(08/30/04 5:23am)
As IU coach Gerry DiNardo enters his third year at the helm of the IU football program, the Hoosiers are still trying to find their way out of the proverbial doldrums of the bottom of the Big Ten. \nWith the Hoosiers coming off of a dismal 2-10 campaign, DiNardo said the team has improved but remains reserved about how many checks will go in the win column. \n"We're deeper and we're more talented than we've been in the last two years," DiNardo said. "This year, we've obviously improved internally, but how that compares to our opponent, we won't know until we play."\nWhile DiNardo seeks to bring the Hoosiers back into winning form, another IU coach found himself in a similar situation as he entered his fifth and final season as head coach in 2001. \nFormer Hoosier coach Cam Cameron worked with a roster full of talented players, some of whom have gone on to the NFL, while this season is the first in DiNardo's era that he even has a full roster.\nWhat separates DiNardo's cream and crimson from Cameron's red and white other than an arbitrary and overpriced color change? \nAccording to senior wide receiver Travis Haney and junior running back Yamar Washington, the answer is discipline. Several seniors who played under both regimes said DiNardo has more of a watchful eye than his predecessor because of his experience both in the NCAA and XFL ranks.\n"I believe we're heading in the right direction (with DiNardo)," Haney said. "DiNardo's had a lot of success in his career, and the players believe in him. It's hard to rebuild a program, but I believe DiNardo can lead us there." \nWashington, who took his redshirt freshman season under Cameron, agrees with Haney's claims. \n"I think Cam was a lot more inexperienced," Washington said. "DiNardo's more of a disciplinarian, and that's the biggest difference. College football's all very intense and 100 percent all the time. In terms of those two, it's the disciplinarian that wins out."\nBut, comparing the overall performance of the two coaches might be like comparing cream to white or apples to oranges. \nCameron came into his final year as head coach with one of the most prolific Hoosiers to ever lace up a pair of cleats at Memorial Stadium -- Antwaan Randle-El. Randle-El brought unprecedented numbers, amassing 7,489 passing yards and 3,895 career rushing yards, which made him the only player in Division I-A history to reach 6,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards. His game was so multi-faceted, it carried him into the NFL ranks as a wide receiver. \nCameron and Randle-El led the Hoosiers to a respectable 5-6 record and, with one more win, would have broken a bowl drought that has plagued the Hoosiers since 1987. \nWhile Cameron's squad was brimming with talent, the 2004 season will be the first in the DiNardo era with a full roster of scholarship players. Junior lineman Isaac Sowells said the team's full roster allows for better practice time with less of a chance of injuring players in the starting rotation.\n"A couple of years ago, in spring ball, we only had nine offensive linemen," Sowells said. "Now with the full roster, we have 20. That's more strings of offensive linemen. And in practice, we have four strings of offensive linemen, and we've never had that for as long as I've been here." \nThe differences between the 2001 and 2004 squads don't end with the simple number of scholarship players, as DiNardo's style is also quite different from the option-based offense that Cameron brought to the table. However, this season's IU squad does indeed have its fair share of talent. From senior quarterback Matt LoVecchio to senior wide receiver Courtney Roby on offense to senior defensive lineman Jodie Clemons and junior linebacker Kyle Killion on defense, this year's roster brings a number of battle-tested veterans to the table.\nRegardless of who is at the helm of the program, optimism remains the name of the game in the Hoosier locker room. Washington said he believes the 2004 IU squad can surprise its opponents. \n"I think this should be the year," Washington said. "We have good seniors, and the team's a lot deeper because we've got 85 people on scholarship, so I think we can be a Cinderella team."\n-- Contact staff writer Dan Patrick at djpatric@indiana.edu.
(08/05/04 4:00am)
ESPN NFL 2K5" is yet another quality foray into the pro football genre from Sega, and for less than 20 bucks you can own a football game that is both fun to play and has unbelievable graphics.\nGameplay remains intact from last year, but "2K5" adds numerous bells and whistles into the mix. One feature is its profile system that tracks everything about your game, right down to your offensive and defensive sets and plays called. Profiles can then be downloaded for scouting online opponents. Another aspect is the VIP profile system that gives out points for various accomplishments on the field. These points can then be spent on improvements to your "crib." C-list celebrities such as Carmen Electra and Steve-O will also occasionally show up in your crib to challenge you to games. \nFranchise Mode is also greatly improved from last year's game, as you can now lay out the daily workouts for each of your players. If done correctly, your team prospers, if not, your team falters -- great stuff. \nGraphically, "2K5" hits you like a blindside sack from Brian Urlacher and is simply gorgeous. The player models are works of art and are so detailed that you can see the veins on players' arms. The first person mode is simply ridiculous, as it comes complete with blackouts when someone lays down a huge hit on you. If you've ever played football, memories will come flooding back with each crack of the helmet.\nWhile it's ridiculously cheap price tag may fool some into believing this game is simply a rickety rehash of last year's installment, make no mistake, this is a wonderfully good time and a graphical masterpiece.
(08/05/04 2:21am)
ESPN NFL 2K5" is yet another quality foray into the pro football genre from Sega, and for less than 20 bucks you can own a football game that is both fun to play and has unbelievable graphics.\nGameplay remains intact from last year, but "2K5" adds numerous bells and whistles into the mix. One feature is its profile system that tracks everything about your game, right down to your offensive and defensive sets and plays called. Profiles can then be downloaded for scouting online opponents. Another aspect is the VIP profile system that gives out points for various accomplishments on the field. These points can then be spent on improvements to your "crib." C-list celebrities such as Carmen Electra and Steve-O will also occasionally show up in your crib to challenge you to games. \nFranchise Mode is also greatly improved from last year's game, as you can now lay out the daily workouts for each of your players. If done correctly, your team prospers, if not, your team falters -- great stuff. \nGraphically, "2K5" hits you like a blindside sack from Brian Urlacher and is simply gorgeous. The player models are works of art and are so detailed that you can see the veins on players' arms. The first person mode is simply ridiculous, as it comes complete with blackouts when someone lays down a huge hit on you. If you've ever played football, memories will come flooding back with each crack of the helmet.\nWhile it's ridiculously cheap price tag may fool some into believing this game is simply a rickety rehash of last year's installment, make no mistake, this is a wonderfully good time and a graphical masterpiece.
(08/02/04 2:07am)
Department of Anthropology Chairperson Jeanne Sept was named as the dean of faculties Sunday. \nPending approval from the IU board of trustees, Sept will replace Moya Andrews who has served in the position since 1999. Andrews retired, effective Sunday. \nSept served as the associate dean of faculties from 2000-2003, but said she hasn't laid out any plans as of yet. \n"We're developing (plans) slowly because I haven't had a chance to meet with other people in the office, but I'd like to support the tradition of supporting the faculty," Sept said. "I hope to find ways to tell the stories of our University. I'd like to find ways to celebrate the success stories to encourage the faculty and students. That's definitely a goal."\nThe outgoing Andrews was the first woman to serve as dean of the faculties. She said she is leaving the position in order to retire and take a trip to her native Australia. \n"I am traveling to Australia this fall," Andrews said. "After my return from Australia, when I am not doing my radio show 'Focus on Flowers' on WFIU, part of my time will be focusing on writing a book."\nAndrews said she is confident in Sept's ability and expects a smooth transition due to Sept's familiarity with the office. \n"Jeanne Sept is a wonderful person and she will do an outstanding job," Andrews said. "I worked closely with her, and I know how talented and dedicated she is. The office will be in good hands."\nSept returned the praise to her predecessor and said she believes Andrews has done an exceptional job in the position. During her tenure, Andrews oversaw the creation of the Emeriti House, an organization that allows retired faculty living in the Bloomington area to continue working for the University.\n"She's been absolutely superb," Sept said. "One of things she has been able to do is support the faculty and their needs. She truly is of the faculty, by the faculty and for the faculty, and the recent creation of the Emeriti House simply proves her devotion to the support of IU's faculty."\nIU Chancellor Ken Gros Louis said he is confident in the decision to put Sept at the helm of the organization and is sure she can continue the legacy left by previous deans of faculties. \n"Jeanne has the leadership and vision to continue the excellent work that Moya Andrews has done in the dean of faculties office," Gros Louis said in a press release. "Like Moya, she cares deeply about the faculty, and she will be a strong advocate for their issues."\nSept also seeks to continue Andrew's work in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning program, which works to better students' learning experience through researching how different teaching methods effect undergraduates. \n"Her work with the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning has been outstanding," Sept said. "That's a program that's really encouraged faculty to use their research skills to find out how the students learn. Because of her sponsorship, we've developed an incredible community of faculty members from every school."\nIn 2002, former IU Chancellor Sharon Brehm wanted to turn the dean of faculties position into a provost post, which would have removed Andrews from the position in the fall of 2003. But the idea was scrapped due to lack of faculty support.\nWith the position fully intact, Sept said she believes she is fully qualified to serve IU in that capacity. She also said she believes expertise in anthropology will be helpful to the dean of faculties position. \n"I also bring the perspective of an anthropologist, and that will aid me as dean of faculties," Sept said. "I can understand the people and the culture and I'd love to be able to find new ways to bring a faculty full of diverse interests and experiences together around issues that will help develop our University. All we have to do is find opportunity to solve problems and pursue problems together, and I hope to encourage that."\nOne of Sept's goals is to continue the prestige her predecessors brought to the dean of faculties office and is looking forward to the challenges that come with the position. \n"It's humbling and it's a great honor because IU's had an outstanding group of deans stretching back to the first dean of faculties, (Herman) Briscoe, when the position was created by Herman Wells," Sept said. "It's wonderful to be a part of such a long tradition of supporting the faculty. I've learned from good mentors and I understand what a difference it can make for individuals. I believe that an organization on campus that focuses on your intellectual well-being is extremely important."\n-- Contact Managing Editor Dan Patrick at djpatric@indiana.edu.
(07/08/04 4:00am)
From Macho Man Randy Savage to Hulk Hogan to the Ultimate Warrior, all the classic wrestling superstars make up the roster of this game. In total, the game comes with more than 70 superstars from all eras of wrestling. \n"Showdown: Legends of Wrestling" is a drastic improvement over its two predecessors, complete with better graphics, an improved grappling system and faster action, but the game has its flaws. The problems with the game go beyond the usual clipping troubles of wrestling games, as wrestlers will sometimes teleport across the ring while executing moves. Also, with such a large roster, the game's commentary begins to repeat itself by the second match with the same character.\nThere are three modes of play: Quick Play, Match Play and Showdown Challenge. Each of these modes are essentially the same with the Showdown Challenge providing a lackluster storyline of wrestling through the ages. \nOne of the best features of "Legends of Wrestling 2" were the wrestler interviews, but they did not make it into this rendition. In its place, the legendary Brett "The Hitman" Hart provides the voiceover to a rather feeble tutorial system. \nHowever, if you grew up bodyslamming Wrestling Buddies and watching Hulk Hogan's "Rock 'n' Wrestling" every Saturday morning, then this is the game for you. All others need not apply.