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(11/17/08 5:07am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>STATE COLLEGE, PENN. – Agitated Penn State fans had one reason to relax after their team’s first loss in 2008 – IU was next on their schedule. Unfortunately for the horrific Hoosiers, the conference clash was bad timing. The Nittany Lions were coming off a shocking loss to Iowa that essentially shattered their hopes of advancing to the BCS title game. After a week of what-ifs, Saturday’s game was nothing but revenge for Penn State. Not because Paterno and company held a grudge against the Hoosiers, but for the simple fact that a mediocre Iowa squad diverted the Nittany Lions’ quest for supremacy. Prior to the coin toss, you could easily sense the Beaver Stadium crowd knew this game was in the bag. But for one half, the valley wasn’t so happy. An injury-shaken, downright dismal IU team surprisingly stood toe-to-toe with the Big Ten’s king of the jungle. “(IU) wasn’t stopping us (in the first half),” Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark said following his team’s 34-7 win against the Hoosiers. “We were stopping ourselves. At the end of drives, we were supposed to put the hammer down and score some touchdowns, but we made some mistakes.” Penn State might have beaten itself, but give credit to IU for hanging in for two quarters. It looked like IU coach Bill Lynch was experimenting.As crazy as this might sound, the Hoosiers actually ran the football. In fact, IU tallied twice as many rushing yards as Penn State did in the first half, culminating with a Marcus Thigpen 57-yard touchdown sprint. Quarterback Kellen Lewis, at last, when confided to the tackle box, opted to throw the football away rather than force a throw between defenders or rush for what would have been a sure loss. And despite one blocked punt, the special teams unit escaped with little foul while pinned inside its own 20. Hard to believe, I know. Lynch had his team playing the right way, even if all it was doing was taking full advantage of Penn State’s mistakes. Even with (gulp) halftime approaching, I knew these Hoosiers were going to be different in the second half. “During halftime, we were psyched and ready to go out there in the second half,” defensive end Jammie Kirlew said. “We were like, ‘We could actually win this game.’”I thought you guys could have pulled it off too, Jammie. Out of the locker room, it was evident some Hoosiers had an extra hop in their step. I kept thinking to myself, “Boy, a win like this would do wonders for a team as atrocious as this one.”But once the third quarter began, the whole complexity of the game changed. The play-calling became conservative, the defense couldn’t penetrate the line and special teams couldn’t gain field position. The Hoosiers’ defense, which was sound in the first half, allowed three touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters. IU, for the second consecutive game, couldn’t register a single point after the break. Lynch keeps attributing IU’s second half woes to the lack of continuity on offense. I understand injuries are detrimental, but like Rodger Saffold said, you “can’t make excuses.” Coach, I think your gameplan was solid in the first half. You mixed up the play-calling by running the football more, and you even tried to get the tight ends involved. But you’re still missing the deep ball. Penn State might have adjusted in the second half, but your team still could have recorded more than one first down final half.Maybe it’s like Kirlew’s said – you guys get too psyched for the second half.
(11/14/08 5:50am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>When Rick Greenspan cleans out his Assembly Hall office at the end of December, he’ll leave four emotional years and plenty of memories – good and bad – behind him. He’s saddened by the loss of his colleague and friend, former IU football coach Terry Hoeppner, to cancer. He’s frustrated by the IU football team’s regression in 2008, a season many expected to end with a second-straight bowl appearance. Most of all, Greenspan regrets that he won’t be a Hoosier when that program prospers and reclaims Big Ten relevancy. But he’ll also leave the foundation upon which that program must be built, something many fans have overlooked.Inundated with criticism mainly attributed to the sanctions levied on former IU men’s basketball coach Kelvin Sampson, Greenspan announced his resignation June 26, effective at the end of the calendar year. Even with the cloud hovering over IU athletics, Greenspan’s decision to resign shocked many co-workers. “I didn’t think Rick was going to step down, and neither did a lot of us,” Mark Deal, associate director of football operations, said. “To say Rick Greenspan’s legacy is the whole Kelvin Sampson saga is about one-hundredth of all the good things he’s done here.” When Greenspan stepped foot on the Bloomington campus in 2004, he faced a struggling athletics department welcoming its third leader since 2001.Prior to his arrival, the IU football team wasn’t the primary focus of the department, despite being the top revenue-generating sport at most schools. The program was also in the midst of a lengthy postseason drought. “I thought our athletics department didn’t have a sense of urgency as it related to football,” Greenspan told the Indiana Daily Student on Tuesday. “Not panic, but urgency. It was a football program that, in a lot of ways, had been undernourished.”Two months after Greenspan moved his desk from Army to IU, he fired then-coach Gerry DiNardo and searched for top-tier leadership to relive the glory days of Bill Mallory.Greenspan opted for a charismatic and competent figurehead, one who believed in resiliency and stressed the necessity for facility improvements. He found that trendsetter in Hoeppner, formerly of Miami (Ohio). “(Hoeppner’s) personality was one that said ‘I want to be at Indiana,’” Greenspan said. “I wanted somebody that was a dreamer, an idealist, but also a great pragmatic thinker as to how you get to (restoring success).”Together, the duo attempted to revitalize the program on and off the field. On the gridiron, Hoeppner’s Hoosiers were inching closer to their first bowl game since Mallory took his squad to the 1993 Independence Bowl. And even though IU lacked essential Big Ten football amenities, Greenspan and Hoeppner forecasted a successful and upbeat future.Greenspan is widely recognized as the administrator who lifted Army from a program what Brigadier Gen. Dan Kaufman, chairman of the Athletic Committee at Army, once said “was broken both financially and spiritually,” to a competitor with countless facility updates. However, Greenspan acknowledged the North End Zone Project derived from Hoeppner’s vision. The latest addition could help attract recruits, a dilemma IU has faced in recent years, and modernize one of the more decrepit Saturday cathedrals in the conference. It will also serve as a resource to the rest of the athletics department. “That End Zone facility will help all our student athletes,” Greenspan said. “It will be a weight room for all our student athletes. It will create a study center for all our student athletes. But, most notably, it’s a symbolic investment in football.” And so was Hoeppner.The innovative traditions, the surging attendance, the restoration of pigskin support in Bloomington – Hoeppner’s impact on the IU program was unprecedented.That’s why Hoeppner’s death was devastating, to say the least. Hoeppner’s passing was especially tearful, because he put endless time and energy into a program that seemingly had nothing to play for. Plus, IU hadn’t yet accomplished his dream of making a bowl game. Greenspan reacted to the situation as anyone should have and kept continuity within a heartbroken team lost in transition.“I felt very fortunate that Bill Lynch was here to assume the reigns,” Greenspan said. “Bill stepped into a very trying situation and kept the team together.” Yet amidst all the skepticism surrounding Greenspan’s selection, Lynch picked up right where Hoeppner left off and helped capture a bowl bid in 2007, the Hoosiers’ first in 14 years. To this day, some alumni, fans and even media members are howling in frustration about Lynch’s promotion and other Greenspan decisions. This season’s total 180-degree turn has prompted questions regarding Lynch’s ability to build his program. The blame has inevitably fallen on Greenspan’s shoulders too. Still, Deal said when Fred Glass takes office as IU’s next athletics director, many of his football plans inevitably should derive from Greenspan’s contributions and outlook. Deal also added that amid the metamorphosis of IU basketball, Greenspan has stayed with the football program every step of the way – a balance Deal said not every athletics director can maintain when other programs fall into disarray. “Rick was dealt some unforeseen problems I’m sure he didn’t expect when he came to Bloomington,” Deal said. “People say, ‘Oh, what happened to IU basketball was a tragedy.’ No, it wasn’t. That wasn’t a tragedy. What happened to coach Hoeppner was a tragedy. What happened to IU basketball was a mistake and things that you get over.”Greenspan will only see two more football games as a Hoosier – Saturday against Penn State and the season finale for the Old Oaken Bucket.He might not sport Cream and Crimson when the ball drops on 2009, but it still bothers him that parts of Hoosier nation remain pessimistic about the football program’s future.Former Wisconsin football coach and current Wisconsin Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez said establishing football success just can’t happen overnight. “I think fans are naive to just look at wins and losses,” said Alvarez, who owns the highest winning percentage in NCAA history among coaches with at least 11 bowl appearances. “I know when Rick had decisions to make with his program, he sometimes called me and asked for my opinion. He did his due diligence and really put a lot of thought into moving (IU’s) football program forward.”
(11/10/08 5:41am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Thirty minutes of hard-nosed, gut-wrenching football simply doesn’t cut it. Not against a non-conference opponent, not against a Big Ten enemy and certainly not on the FBS stage.Since Michigan State’s week four shellacking of the Hoosiers, IU coach Bill Lynch has often repeated the Hoosiers “need to play two halves of football.” Fast-forward six weeks to Wisconsin’s 55-20 manhandling and Lynch’s order remains MIA. “(After halftime) it was such a turn of events,” safety Brandon Mosley said following his team’s fifth conference loss, this one on senior day. “We’ve made a lot of mental mistakes. And as you can tell, mental mistakes can cost you the game.” Missed tackles, inexplicable turnovers, unsuccessful third-down conversions – you can spend a day pinpointing IU’s elementary errors. These fundamental lapses have knocked the Cream and Crimson to rock bottom in the conference and as one fan yelled, “ruined Saturdays in Bloomington again.” For one reason or another, the Hoosiers aren’t the same team after halftime. Perhaps it’s an impotent locker room speech or the interruption between halves simply distorts IU’s tempo. In my book, though, excuses are for wimps. You might say injuries have plagued Lynch’s squad in 2008. But part of practice is centered on molding the young guns into eventual starters. The unseasoned players unquestionably won’t impact a game like quarterback Kellen Lewis, safety Austin Thomas or cornerback Chris Phillips. However, they’re not neophytes between the sidelines either. In every Big Ten bout thus far, Lynch’s squad has put itself in striking distance at half. The Spartans led by only five after two quarters, but then won the game by 13. IU was deadlocked with Minnesota after 30 minutes. Then, the Hoosiers couldn’t record a point in the second half. Lynch and company only trailed Iowa by eight with two quarters complete. When the game clock struck zeros, the Hawkeyes prevailed by 36. And on Saturday, a disastrous fumble by quarterback Ben Chappell allowed Wisconsin to lead by a mere four-points. After the break, the Badgers tallied 31 unanswered while halting any IU score. If the Hoosiers (3-7, 1-5) emulated their first-half performance whatsoever, this season could have ended with a 13th game. In fact, IU has been outscored 120 to 20 in the second half against conference foes. With respect to the third and fourth quarters, the Hoosiers’ opponents have netted a combined 813 rushing yards in contrast to their 273. However, IU’s conference adversaries have only amounted a combined 593 yards through the air from the start of the half. It’s clear Big Ten teams often call running plays against the Hoosiers after halftime. A presumable adjustment would be to stack the box and penetrate the line rather than dropping back into pass coverage. IU should devote a bulk of its practice to stopping the run. Too many opposing rushers have appeared as stars when they’re nothing more than mediocre ball carriers. “We need to be 100 percent all the time,” said defensive end Jammie Kirlew, who recorded five tackles and two sacks in IU’s throbbing loss to Wisconsin. “We just got to keep finding (that spark in the second half).” Unfortunate for Kirlew and the Hoosiers, time has run out to re-configure their second-half execution. With only two games left and just three wins, IU is mathematically eliminated from bowl contention. We can all attest that a 50 percent effort is considered a failure.
(11/07/08 4:57am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Hoosier nation is excited, but for all the wrong reasons. Fists are clenched high above heads because there are only three more games left in an underwhelming season. Usually, fans are ecstatic for the final stretch of their team’s season. However, that’s not the case here, folks. Memorial Stadium’s meager attendance proves only a few can withstand this plagued season one minute longer. It’s evident some players have dumped the drive, passion and talent essential for success and the IU football team’s 3-6 record paints the whole embarrassing picture. Can someone please inject some life into this downright nasty IU season before it enters a depression greater than the 1930s? The Hoosiers simply can’t endure another lengthy postseason drought. But reality is, the Cream and Crimson aren’t morphing into a gridiron powerhouse tomorrow. The new North End Zone Project is seemingly the only bright spot in store for IU’s future. Yep, a modernized attachment to one of the most decrepit and unoccupied Saturday cathedrals will be the only hot commodity in 2009.So, what about IU coach Bill Lynch’s recruits? They have to be worried about the current state of the Hoosiers, right? Surprisingly, two recruits sounded optimistic.“They’re having a bad season, but that happens with teams. Even great teams sometimes have bad seasons,” said Lawrence Barnett, a committed defensive back from Fort Wayne. “I have a good relationship with the coaching staff. I’m just ready to come down there and help the team out.”I see what Barnett is saying, but I’m not buying it. Obviously, as a potential Hoosier, he doesn’t want to jeopardize his future by saying something negative, and he is no doubt excited about his Big Ten future. But understand this Lawrence – Bloomington is no football town. And that’s due to a terrible product on the field. Why would you want to play for one of the worst FBS teams in a stadium that rarely exceeds 35,000? Your numbers prove you can wear a Central Michigan jersey. Yet, your fellow recruiting classmate has no concerns about IU either. “I’m sure (IU) will bounce back. They are a very young team, and I’m sure they’ll get back on track,” said Javon Cornley, a committed end from Columbus, Ohio. “I like the coaching staff a lot. I really like coach Lynch. In my book, they are OK.”Hate to break it to ya Javon, but a lot of people are calling for Lynch’s head. Both you and Lawrence are entering a precarious situation and joining one of the biggest 2008 busts. Drastic changes need to be made before the Hoosiers can bounce back from an off year as dismal as this one. Unfortunately, timing is everything, and right now, it’s not on your side. A new athletics director is coming aboard, and that likely means no shake-ups are expected for the 2009 season, even with fans questioning coaching and calls on plays.You’ll have no more Marcus Thigpen. No more Austin Starr. And most importantly, no definitive leadership. You and your fellow recruits need to bring something different, something new, something never before seen for a drastic turnaround next year. Just adjusting to college life will be a challenge in itself. But be aware of the hardships IU football is notorious for producing.
(11/03/08 2:58am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>No crystal ball, no tarot card, not even Ms. Cleo could have correctly hypothesized IU’s season up to this point.2008, as we all know, was supposed to encompass the resurgence of Hoosier football.After last season’s bowl appearance, the IU bandwagon neared full and was eager to begin a 12-game joy ride to the postseason again.But Saturday’s 37-34 loss to Central Michigan plummeted the Hoosiers’ tank to just about empty and killed any miracle of reaching a December destination.Seeing a backup MAC quarterback stand toe-to-toe with a Big Ten team was the last straw for me.I was fully expecting CMU quarterback Dan LeFevour to take the snaps. And when I heard LeFevour was out and realized the unknown Brian Brunner was in, I prematurely checked off a Hoosier win.Boy, was that a dumb move or what?Brunner not only exceeded my expectations, but both sidelines’ as well. His 485 passing yards against IU is the highest single-game total in CMU history. Fitting a performance so illustrious occurred in Bloomington this season, right?In his postgame news conference, CMU coach Butch Jones told the media LeFevour could have played on Saturday. But with his usual starter not 100 percent, he was certain his back-up could handle the challenge, even if it was to beat a Big Ten team, if that’s what the Hoosiers call themselves.“I think you saw all the confidence we have in (Brunner) with our play selection,” Jones said. “We trust him. He defeated some tight coverage. Dan could have played, but it goes back to having confidence in Brian.”IU coach Bill Lynch and his Hoosiers in no way, shape or form deserve to play 13 this season, because they simply can’t adjust to their opposition. It happened in Minnesota, against Iowa and on Saturday, too.Jones’ play calling evolved around Brunner because his team’s running game was ineffective.The Chippewas managed a mere two yards on the ground in the first half. Conversely, Brunner passed for 248 yards in the first 30 minutes.Can someone please tell me why the Hoosiers didn’t stack the secondary when an opposing tailback was missing? IU had to know Brunner was on pace to throw for nearly 500 yards.I’m honestly not surprised Lynch and company didn’t counter CMU’s thrashing air attack.Coach, you and your staff just don’t get it, do you?When the opposing offense excels only in one area, your defense should focus on that and nothing else.Why put more defenders on the line if you’re getting killed in the open field and with the long ball? Your defense might have logged seven sacks, but they still relinquished almost half-a-million passing yards.Seeing his team surrender the lead in the fourth quarter without showing any signs of resiliency, junior linebacker Will Patterson was nearly speechless after the game. But what he did say summed up this embarrassing season perfectly.“I really don’t know what to say,” Patterson said. “A lot of the guys just played like they wanted (to win). A select few just didn’t at times. That’s pretty much the outcome.”Will, you hit the nail right on the head. Your season might be as ugly as they come, but some teammates don’t have the heart of a “true” Hoosier. And that’s IU football for you – where success, spirit and spunk don’t come easy.
(10/31/08 2:41am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>There’s no place like home. And by home, I mean Philadelphia. The Philly faithful might have endured a quarter-century without a major sports championship, but the city’s passionate, yet hostile, fans remained faithful throughout the drought. And now Philadelphians got what they rightfully deserve – a title, thanks to the Phillies’ 4-1 series win against the Tampa Bay Rays. Call me a homer. Call me biased. As a St. Petersburg Times columnist claimed, Philly fans “allow their reputation to be lowered down to the level of knuckle-dragging Neanderthals.” So yeah, you can call me that too. I’m still proud to call the city of not-so-brotherly love my home. In Bloomington though, the zest is the complete opposite. For one, love for football does not exist. Don’t get me wrong. B-town had its share of glory days. From Bob Knight’s basketball to Jerry Yeagley’s soccer, IU once stood as one of the top athletic universities in the nation.But the accolades vanish when a town so rich in history and tradition slips in support for its sports. Hoosier fans: Don’t designate IU as one of the worst FBS programs in college football. Emulate the Philly faithful. Stand by your team through the good, the bad and the ugly. IU’s season is on life support. The Hoosiers are coming off an upset win against Northwestern and must win at least three of the final four games to become bowl eligible. And contrary to what most of you believe, they have a chance to play 13. Want an improbable run? Show some spirit. Show some pride. Better yet, just show up. It has to start with Central Michigan on Saturday, and let me be the first to tell you: The Chippewas are no chipmunks. They might be a Mid-American Conference team, but they’re more deserving than average competition. Quarterback Dan LeFevour is one of the most underrated signal-callers in college football. His collegiate career has seen him throw more than 8,000 yards and 64 touchdowns. LeFevour led CMU to two consecutive MAC titles. And this season, it’s evident the Chippewas (6-2, 5-0) will contend with Ball State for the conference crown. I know how disappointed you feel this season. We in Philadelphia had our heads down for 25 years.It wouldn’t have been an aberration of judgment to think IU was going to the postseason again when this season began.No matter how depressed, how discouraged, how dissatisfied you might be, you need to suck it up and spark a turnaround, just like the players. I know, it’s not fair to solely blame the fans. After all, they’re not the ones grinding it out on the gridiron. However, if there was any support, any life in the bleachers whatsoever, 2008 might have been different. Bill Lynch’s squad has no one to play for but themselves, and that’s not the right motive. This summer, I learned a thing or two about players competing for their fans. I had the privilege to cover the Phillies on a game-by-game basis for a local sports station. Just being around Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, I got a sense of who they really are. Those guys played for the fans. Philly’s time came Wednesday night. Now it’s your turn, Bloomington. If a Hoosier comeback is at all possible, you will play a pivotal role. Here’s a start – try throwing snowballs at Santa Claus. Then you’ll know what Philly fever is all about.
(10/27/08 3:59am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Now, IU quarterback Ben Chappell is the kind of change you can believe in. So he’s not the most persuasive guy at his craft, big deal. But by all means, he’s no phony. To his credit, Chappell isn’t one for pledges, predictions or promises. Instead, he lets his actions speak louder than his words. And on Saturday, Chappell’s performance confirmed he’s the right leader for the future of the IU football team.Chappell, who netted two touchdowns, executed the game plan to perfection – to open the Homecoming contest with a bang and get the fans, for once, on the Hoosiers’ side.After the Wildcats converted a field goal, Chappell threw a 43-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Damarlo Belcher. For a moment, the score distracted the faithful from IU’s embarrassing recent past and directed their minds toward the future. “(Chappell’s) always been good, but he’s always been overshadowed by Kellen (Lewis),” Belcher said following his team’s 21-19 stunning upset over Northwestern. “He had his chance to shine and took full advantage of it.”You’re right, Damarlo. He doesn’t emulate Lewis’ style. But your team responds better to Chappell.He kept the game close throughout and your defense, consequently, had something to play for. Northwestern quarterback C.J. Bacher’s passing attack was ineffective, as IU safety Austin Thomas intercepted him not once, but twice in two crucial situations. Unlike previous conference duels, IU’s defense stopped the run, too. Northwestern running back Tyrell Sutton only gained 77 yards on 27 carries. Mind you, Sutton is one of the best backs in the conference. “Ben has taken on leadership,” IU coach Bill Lynch said. “I thought he played very well because (Northwestern) is a very good pass-rushing football team.”But the Wildcats weren’t that team on Saturday. IU’s offensive line gave Chappell more time to adjust, and he made two freshmen look like stud seniors. Wide receivers Tandon Doss and Belcher caught a combined 14 catches totaling 189 yards. For the first time this season, every unit contributed to the team’s victory. With Chappell under center, the Hoosiers gained 319 all-purpose yards. Plus, IU’s defense and special teams forced five turnovers. And when the clock struck zero, Chappell and his teammates did something they haven’t been able to do in quite some time. “After we won, it just clicked in our heads that we had to go over (to the student section) and sing,” junior defensive lineman Jammie Kirlew said. “It’s definitely a good feeling going over there.” Despite IU’s disappointing season so far, Chappell made us feel proud to wear our cream and crimson again. He completed something that didn’t seem possible, which was to get the Hoosiers working together in a coherent, functional way. After the game, Chappell was unavailable for comment.Lynch said he was “banged up” and it was necessary to get him treated right away. But all Lynch really had to say is that Chappell is the kind of guy that lets his play do all the talking.
(10/24/08 3:44am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>How do the Hoosiers initiate change? Glad you asked.I might not be Barack Obama or John McCain, but I do know a few things about change. Anyone who has seen the Hoosiers’ seven games has seen enough and know it is needed. Offense, defense, name it all – every facet must undergo a complete transformation. It’s time to put “football first.”If you really think about it, the current football administration hasn’t lost that much talent from 2007’s roster. True, James Hardy and Tracy Porter are gone.But Kellen Lewis, Marcus Thigpen, Andrew Means, Greg Middleton and Austin Starr are all back. So, thinking IU could make a bowl game wasn’t far-fetched at all.I might not be as persuasive or tactically exciting as our presidential candidates, my friends, but let’s try to make people believe a Hoosier turnaround is mandatory. Maybe a bailout package is needed; $700 billion (or a few of the changes I’m listing below) should do the trick.The offense, first and foremost, needs a total shake-up. The two-quarterback system has committed its share of mistakes, I know. But the issue isn’t whether it is Lewis or Ben Chappell under center. Rather, it’s the need for appropriate play-calling to fit each quarterback’s style.Here’s some insight – Lewis shouldn’t be the leading rusher on the team. Thigpen, a 1,000-yard runner in his career, should be able to handle the ground game. If Thigpen runs a 40-yard dash in the low 4’s, he should be running the ball more than eight times a game. Most defenses have a designated spy for No. 15, so it’s best to utilize other running mates.Chappell’s campaign platform is entirely different than Lewis’ – his arm is not being used enough. Against Illinois, Chappell only threw for a mere 172 yards partly because of his offensive line’s inefficiency. I understand the linemen have fought against the injury bug all season, but this is FBS play, and these guys are supposed to be Terry Hoeppner’s “Seven Blocks of Limestone.” When on the field, it’s important to give Chappell more than ample time to release the football. The sophomore quarterback is as accurate as they come when defenders can’t blaze past the line.No, he’s no Lewis, but allow him to throw some deep balls. Honestly, what is there to lose at this point? The defense, well, saying they need new makeup would be an understatement too. IU is simply not getting to the quarterback fast enough. Ball State’s Nate Davis, Michigan State’s Brian Hoyer, and Illinois’ Juice Williams all threw for more than 238 yards against the Hoosiers. Obviously, the current formation isn’t working to plan. It is time to mix things up by installing an odd-man front and utilize a 3-4 scheme. Instead of more linemen, Lynch should consider an extra linebacker to stop the seven-yard passes in the open field. Moreover, more men in the middle would create a tougher day for opposing running backs to log yardage. “Staying the course” is not an option from here on out. Northwestern quarterback C.J. Bachér and running back Tyrell Sutton will pound the Hoosiers if change doesn’t begin Saturday. In fact, IU won’t win another game unless there is a shuffle up of its squad’s configurations. To escape from total embarrassment, how about implementing a new attack? Or if you like droughts, keep the formations, play-calling and schemes the same.I think everyone would agree these are changes we need.I am David Leno, and I approve this message.
(10/22/08 3:05am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU kicker Austin Starr used to be automatic. Last season especially. Experts tabbed him as one of the nation’s top kickers. A 40-yarder, a chip shot, it didn’t matter. Every boot was destined to split the uprights. This year, though, Starr’s golden foot has vanished. How could a finalist for the Lou Groza award – given to college football’s top kicker – meld into a Mike Vanderjagt? It’s perplexing, I know. Starr and Vanderjagt were so clutch you could always count on them. But, Vanderjagt is remembered more for his shank against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2005 AFC Championship game than his nearly flawless career for the Colts. And as ironic as it seems, Starr is enduring the similar pain in 2008.Take Saturday night’s game in Illinois, for example. After Illini quarterback Juice Williams threw for a touchdown on his opening drive, Starr had precious opportunities to keep the Hoosiers close. He, surprisingly, missed not one, but two kicks in the first quarter from 38 and 45 yards, respectively. Williams took advantage of Starr’s mistakes and tallied another passing touchdown. Then the game became out of reach. “I’ve never missed two in a row,” Starr said. “I do know my contribution to the team helps us. I have to look at the past and put it behind me.” Throughout his career, Starr has established himself as a trendsetter and a guy who sets the Hoosiers up for success. If he makes those kicks, it changes the whole complexity of the contest. I’m not proclaiming the Hoosiers would have won, but you must admit, points on the board alter a team’s approach while battling. Maybe Starr is putting too much pressure on himself? We all know the offense can’t score as often as last season. Starr, perhaps, is taking too much responsibility for IU’s lack of production. “Whenever you’re competitive like he is, you’re always going to put pressure on yourself,” linebacker coach and special teams coordinator George Ricumstrict said. “I don’t think anything has changed from his approach or mentality. Sometimes you run into a little bit of bad luck.”In 2007, Starr only missed two of 23 field goals and nailed every extra point. Unfortunately for Hoosier fans, Starr isn’t so routine in 2008. In fact, he’s just four of eight from 30-yards-plus this season. It’s a toss-up whether he’ll make or miss now. Extra points – well, they aren’t guarantees either. Starr obviously is caught up in this season’s whirlwind of emotions. After last season’s heroics, no one, not even the IU players, thought the program would take this giant leap backwards. But his first half of the season has been uncharacteristic. Now there are only five games left. Five games for Starr to regain the kicking legacy he rightfully deserves. “For myself, I have high expectations, especially after last season,” Starr said. “I know I’m not playing to my potential, and that’s going to change.”
(10/20/08 4:21am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — IU coach Bill Lynch said it, as he so often has.“We put together little drives, but we didn’t finish anything,” Lynch said after his team’s 55-13 loss to Illinois on Saturday night. “We give up way too many big plays. Teams have really done a good job taking away our big plays.”Try this – snag some pages from Illinois coach Ron Zook’s playbook, because, boy, that guy knows how to conduct a productive offense. And with IU’s season becoming sickening to watch, now would be an appropriate time.Zook’s game plan, apparently, was to stay the course and allow quarterback Juice Williams to march to his own beat.But after witnessing the Hoosiers go three-and-out on their opening drive, Zook changed his mind. Figuring IU would struggle with quarterback Ben Chappell, Zook went for gusto early, and I mean very early.On his team’s first offensive play, Williams threw a 60-yard strike to wide receiver Will Judson. The opening crescendo led to a one-yard touchdown pass on the very next play, and the Illini never looked back. Touchdown after touchdown, Zook’s offense was flawless in its clobbering of the Hoosiers.You might say IU’s defense modeled a FCS school from then on. Whether it was a pass, run or sneak, Williams kept establishing a definite difference between those on his sideline and their counterparts from Indiana.However, the offense’s lack of productivity left the defense with no momentum to ride. The Cream and Crimson offense, yet again, couldn’t strike throughout, and the defense, consequently, found itself battling for the duration of the conference clash.The Hoosier offense hasn’t given the rest of the team an incentive to play. In its last three games, IU has been outscored 116-29.Don’t point your finger at Chappell’s performance Saturday night. He might have thrown for a mere 172 yards, but he wasn’t the sole reason why the Hoosiers appeared so abysmal.Rather, hold the coaching staff accountable, because the play calling was terrible.Of course, the players are going to say they’re the ones to blame. Sorry guys, I’m not buying it.The onus has to fall on the honchos atop the totem pole. They, like every other staff in college football, must take full responsibility for their team’s actions on the gridiron.Enough already, coaches.As every game passes, the offense appears worse and worse. You have to put your team in a better position.Ben Chappell, Kellen Lewis – it doesn’t matter who’s taking the snaps. If you don’t change your system now, a 2-10 regular season record could result.Like Zook has done with the Illini, Lynch has to establish an identity for this offense. That’s his responsibility, his job and his No. 1 task right now.Honestly, was the team prepared for this match-up? I think not.Better yet, has the team been prepared for the past five contests?On second thought, don’t answer that.IU coaches have to get these guys ready for hard-nose football games. After all, they’re not dealing with cupcake opponents like Western Kentucky and Murray State.This is the Big Ten. And the Hoosiers need to prove they belong.
(10/17/08 5:23am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Go ahead. Impugn all you want. I know most of you adamantly disagree.Vegas, USA, even your bookie might claim IU has no chance in hell.But I think otherwise. A Hoosier win at Illinois is possible.The Fighting Illini (3-3, 1-2) don’t model last season’s Rose Bowl team. Not even close. I understand some evaluators tabbed them as the conference favorite this season, but the demise in talent has hindered the program’s performance. Losing Rashard Mendenhall to the NFL was a devastating blow. Mendenhall, who plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers, logged more than 2,500 yards and 22 touchdowns during his three-year tenure in Champaign. He took the pressure off quarterback Juice Williams’ shoulders, a dynamic that concocted a balanced attack of pass and run. If Mendenhall didn’t hurt the opponent, Williams would. And vice-versa. In 2008, Williams is having to carry the Fighting Illini single-handedly. If the Hoosiers defense surmounts Illinois’ offensive line, Williams will falter.Simply put, Bill Lynch’s defense needs to get to the quarterback.Illinois coach Ron Zook’s club is a one-hit wonder. As Williams goes, so goes Illinois. Wide receiver Arrelious Benn, who has 563 yards and 2 touchdowns, won’t be a threat if Williams is under pressure. This means IU defensive end Jammie Kirlew and linebacker Will Patterson must play just as well, if not better than their previous outings. Because Mendenhall declined his final season of eligibility, Lynch doesn’t need to worry about Zook’s running attack – aside from Williams. Daniel Dufrene, who mans the running duties for the Illini, has 478 yards and is no Mendenhall. No Illinois running backs emerged in spring practice this season, so Dufrene, as the a junior, got the spot because of seniority.Don’t be shocked if IU pulls out the ‘W’ due to a dominant pass rush. The absence of former Illini linebacker Jeremy Leman leaves a lot of room in the open field for IU. Whether it’s Ben Chappell or Kellen Lewis taking the snaps, expect many throws to the slot receivers, specifically Andrew Means. Additionally, both IU quarterbacks love the screen pass to Ray Fisher as it has worked to perfection in previous bouts. Look for receivers to make their moves toward the middle of the field as huge gaps linger. Zook shuffled his linebacking corps this off-season and his team has taken some hits as a result. Most recently, Illinois lost to Minnesota 27-20 – a game prognosticators favored for the Illini. We all know IU could have won in Minneapolis. If the Golden Gophers competed with Illinois, so can the Hoosiers. Lynch has prepared for the Illini game unlike any other clash this season. This week’s practices have been more authoritative than ever, where execution was expected and mistakes were forbidden. “We went back to a preseason camp mind-set,” Lynch said. “We had more competition, rewarding winners. That’s what we needed to do to get going again.”Don’t be caught off guard if the Hoosiers exhibit some trickery. For example, Lynch played with the Spartans’ minds by switching Chappell and Lewis at quarterback. Despite the IU loss, the new formation baffled Michigan State. Lynch said new schemes will be implemented against Illinois. And this is the perfect time to experiment as IU’s season is headed down the tubes. Nothing is out of the realm of possibility. I’m not saying IU will definitely upset Illinois. Just don’t be surprised if they do. You never know what can happen.
(10/15/08 3:04am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It was all beginning to unfold – the Iowa game, the season, everything. One blow and the Hoosiers’ defense is down, lying flat on the canvas. In more cases than one, it’s unable to gain consciousness before the 60 minutes expire. Saying IU has trouble recovering from its opponent’s punches is an understatement. Whether it’s a run up the gut or a play-action pass, the Cream and Crimson’s corner is often on the losing side. We saw it especially against Ball State, Michigan State and Iowa.Something is missing. IU’s defense wasn’t this bad last season, right?So, what made them so successful in 2007? One thing stands out.The Hoosiers’ defensive anchor has disappeared.Finalists for the top defensive end award in college football, first team All-Big Ten, the nation’s sack leader at 16 – these attributes defined Greg Middleton in 2007.On a personal level, Middleton might have attained all his goals, but his impact, moreover, helped advance IU to its first bowl game since 1993. But the judges aren’t raving about his 2008 scorecard, and rightfully so. Middleton, a junior, has recorded a mere nine tackles and only one sack in five games. He missed the Hoosiers’ opener due to suspension, and it seems that missed time has taken a toll on him mentally.As a sophomore, Middleton, in addition to his sacks, registered 50 tackles. He and his fellow linemen surrendered more than 200 rushing yards in only three of 12 games. 2007 was his breakout season. 2008 was supposed to see his way to the next level. Maybe even place his name in more record books. But the Hoosiers’ opponents are countering Middleton’s dominance at the line and putting two, sometimes three, blockers on him. Ball State running back MiQuale Lewis, Michigan State’s Javon Ringer and Iowa’s dual threat of Shonn Greene and Jewel Hampton have all told the same story – IU can’t stop the run. Bill Lynch’s defense has already allowed three 200-yard rushing performances only six games into its season – a defining difference from last season’s numbers. However, let’s face the facts – Middleton is a future NFL prospect. If he prevailed as a sophomore, he should have been just as polished, if not more, this season. Linebackers Jammie Kirlew and Will Patterson are stepping up, but the Hoosiers are still missing a critical piece of their defensive puzzle. It’s no secret IU hasn’t been able to win any bouts as of late. But it’s bound to happen that way when the Hoosiers’ top player on defense is totally out of sight.
(10/13/08 4:54am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Not after last season’s mountainous climb to a bowl game. As speedy as the IU football program spiked in 2007, it’s plummeted even faster in 2008. We lamented on how scrawny, how spare, how sub-par the Hoosiers’ non-conference schedule is. And, while skeptics said early wins were a must, IU’s three straight conference losses proved their theory correct. Michigan State was strike one.Minnesota, strike two. Iowa, strike three. The Hoosiers are out.No need to eat, sleep and dream postseason play for one second longer. IU might not be mathematically eliminated from contention, but it’s safe to admit the Purdue game will be its last in 2008. If the Hoosiers (2-4, 0-3) struggled throughout the first half of their schedule, the final six games will be anything but a photo finish. In fact, IU’s second half opponents consist of five bowl teams from 2007 with Northwestern – at 5-1, 1-1 – being the only exception. Saturday’s 45-9 thrashing from Iowa slammed the door shut on the 2008 season for good. It was an old-school domination where the Hoosiers showed their true colors. For the second consecutive game, the opposition nearly doubled the Hoosiers’ time of possession. On offense, Iowa pounded away with its core of running backs, setting up bankable passing and rushing touchdowns. The Hoosiers’ debilitated defense made quarterback Ricky Stanzi look like he was a Heisman hopeful. On the other side of the ball, Iowa only surrendered points on two of 12 Hoosier drives. IU quarterback Kellen Lewis connected with wide receiver Ray Fisher for a touchdown just before halftime, but that was the last accolade on offense. The Hoosiers’ offensive line didn’t give quarterback Ben Chappell – who relieved Lewis in the second half due to injury – ample time to team up with his receivers. Even with competing for only a half, Chappell threw for a mere 83 yards. “We just didn’t make the plays when they were there,” Chappell said. “When you get the first, first down that’s when we get it rolling. But it’s tough when you go three and out.”The Hoosiers only scored seven points in Minnesota last week and nine at home against Iowa. In college football, tallying 16 points in two contests is embarrassing. No, it’s pathetic. Minnesota and Iowa subsided any fantasies of playing 13. Now, the Hoosiers must play for pride. Just suit up and play for the love of the game, because there’s no such thing as strike four.
(10/10/08 3:37am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Becoming a coach at IU differs from most Football Bowl Subdivision institutions.The exuberance, passion and tradition for Hoosier sports are unprecedented, while others don’t even compare.Even though basketball is the dominant sport in Bloomington, football is just as important because of its revenue-generating capacity. Aside from hiring Tom Crean, IU Athletics Director Rick Greenspan’s second-most notable lieutenant is Bill Lynch. Crean might have been the best candidate for the hardwood, but many disagree with his gridiron selection. For this reason, I often pose this question to students: “Are you satisfied with the current football coaching situation?”More often than not, the answer is simple: “No.”I always inquire further: “Why do you feel that way?”To paraphrase their responses, many students claim Lynch wasn’t the right man for the job.If you thought students are living off 2007’s Old Oaken Bucket game, you’re wrong.True, Lynch led the Hoosiers to their first bowl appearance since 1993, but students aren’t looking back. Rather, one season later, the IU-Purdue clash has escaped their minds. And Lynch’s direction is now an afterthought. Instead, many students cite Lynch as a failure because of his lackluster time at in-state foe Ball State. “If he got fired at Ball State, he should not have been hired here,” said junior Brian Smith. “He’s too soft. He doesn’t coach physical football.” And while Greenspan thought Lynch deserved a second chance, much of the student body didn’t think so. With the Hoosiers currently sitting at the bottom of the Big Ten, many wonder why Greenspan extended Lynch’s contract. Lynch is no Terry Hoeppner. Unlike his predecessor, Lynch isn’t the face of IU football. You don’t see countless billboards with Lynch as the centerpiece. You don’t see too much interaction with the crowd on Saturdays. And you don’t see the charisma one would want at IU. Coach Lynch, your recent record isn’t the only reason why the student body opts for the tailgates rather than Memorial Stadium. Hoeppner didn’t have a record to brag about, but he proved that interacting with the students can draw them back to the stands. Many believe Lynch doesn’t exhibit a close connection with the campus. “(Lynch) needs to be more like (IU women’s basketball) coach (Felisha Legette) Jack and make public appearances,” said senior Lisa Deligio. “He needs to be more involved on campus. I’ve never seen or met him.” Hoeppner laid the foundation but, Coach, you’re not building upward. There has not been growth in the football program since Hoeppner died. You might have reached that pivotal 13th game, but you haven’t yet fully lived up to the students’ expectations.And this season isn’t helping. Iowa is coming to Bloomington on Saturday and, like the upcoming basketball season, nobody knows what to expect. The Hawkeyes have dropped their last three games, but they might be the favorites coming in. “I don’t think (Lynch) is the right fit,” said junior Andrew Tuke. “I think it was a mistake to sign him for the long haul. What IU is doing now with the new end zone and rebuilding the program, they should have gone after someone bigger.”Coach Lynch, the ball is in your hands to save the program.You might know the X’s and O’s better than the masses on campus, but you have to show the students that coaching at IU is unlike coaching anywhere else.
(10/08/08 3:54am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It’s been one heck of a roller-coaster ride for the IU football team’s senior class.Over their collegiate careers, the players have experienced the loops, turns and drops caused by college football. But, unlike IU, some teams out there haven’t had the tribulations.Others don’t know the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat quite like IU’s seniors do. Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, the latter has occurred too frequently.In total, there are 14 players who will call 2008 the end of their college playing days due to eligibility. Some are seniors. Some are fifth-year seniors because of the redshirt process. Some of those veterans’ names might be familiar, others might escape your mind. You’ve definitely seen kicker Austin Starr, running back Marcus Thigpen and cornerback Chris Phillips grind it out on the gridiron. But on the other hand, I’ll bet you’ve probably rarely spotted offensive lineman Kenny Love, linebacker Jerry Williams and defensive lineman Arik Wolf on Saturdays. But no matter if they’ve battled for each and every down or have rode the bench for every 60-minute contest, they all have one thing in common – they’re seniors. They’ve committed to the Hoosiers’ football program for at least four years. They’ve been role models to younger players. Moreover, they’ve proven they have the devotion one must have to his team. Some of the senior class came to Bloomington when former coach Gerry Dinardo ruled the sidelines. The Hoosiers only tallied three wins in 2004, and after the season, Dinardo was dismissed. Then as sophomores, they had their second coach in only two years. But what they didn’t realize at first was this new coach’s desire to rebuild the program and clean up the remnants. The incoming freshmen, who are now seniors, were just as lucky to have him as a mentor. His name was Terry Hoeppner. Hoeppner might have posted a 9-14 record while at IU, but his accomplishments off the field will be remembered more than his team’s lackluster play. Even though Hoeppner died before reaching his ultimate goal – a bowl game – he set the program in the right direction. Because of Hoeppner, an aura of excitement began to grow around IU football. Bill Lynch was named head coach in 2007 and he, along with these seniors, carried out his predecessor’s dream to the fullest, capturing IU’s first bowl bid since 1993. Despite losing the 13th game, they shocked not only their conference foes but the nation as well. Three different coaches in a span of five years – that’s not an adequate period for adjustments. But they adapted. Despite the poor records, the Hoosier veterans were there every step of the way.You have to feel for IU’s senior class. You really do. Winning has been seldom. Losing has been commonplace. But with all the scrutiny they’ve endured throughout their careers, they don’t deserve to go out on a lousy note in 2008. They’re currently tied up in a three-game losing streak, and the rest of the season isn’t looking so turn-free. But, like they’ve done in their careers so far, they have to ride the loop out.
(10/06/08 3:57am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>MINNEAPOLIS – IU sophomore quarterback Ben Chappell has been kept in park for too long.A little bit of No. 4 here, a little bit there, but not a whole lot of offensive driving.And with the direction the 2008 season is heading, Chappell needs to see more of the field. He might not possess the wheels of a mustang. He might not tally the miles in comparison to his foes. He might not have the horsepower to make the game-changing play. But it’s time for Chappell to go for a longer test drive. Especially when IU’s older model – sophomore Kellen Lewis, who conducts most of the Hoosiers’ offense – is having some engine trouble as of late. I don’t believe it’s entirely due to Lewis’ inability to make plays – we all know what he brings to the table. A lot has to do with his limited targets on offense. Still, Lewis’ signature ground game has disappeared.In Saturday’s 16-7 loss to Minnesota, he netted a pedestrian 18 yards. When IU hosted Michigan State two weeks ago, Lewis only registered 26 rushing yards. IU coach Bill Lynch has clearly taken the ball out of his hands and wants to utilize the passing game. However, the air attack hasn’t been a smooth ride either. Lewis has only averaged roughly 163 passing yards in the Hoosiers’ five contests thus far. The only pass play it seems IU can count on is that quick screen to running back Marcus Thigpen or to wide receiver Ray Fisher, a five-yard pass play at most. At his post-game press conference, Lewis seemed frustrated with his team’s offensive play. To be blunt, I don’t blame him. “We came in prepared with what we were going to run and at first we couldn’t get in sync,” Lewis said. “Both offenses struggled a bit with the good performances by both defenses. We struggled.” Reality is the Golden Gophers don’t resemble a powerhouse defense like, for example, Penn State. IU beat itself on offense from the first snap. Frankly, the Hoosiers aren’t winning with this offense. Whether you want to believe it or not, Lewis might not be the right fit. However, if he had more playmakers, that could change. Lynch, open the garage and start Chappell up. There’s too much of that new-car smell, he’s not been driven enough. Despite a lower speedometer than Lewis, Chappell’s cannon sparks the Hoosier offense in ways his counterpart’s doesn’t.He loves the long routes and is more effective with the play-action pass than Lewis. On Saturday, Chappell hooked up with Thigpen for a 77-yard touchdown pass. Remember his 97-yard bomb to wide receiver Terrance Turner against Michigan State? The play was negated due to a holding call, but I’ll bet that gave you a double take.If Chappell won over his teammates and baffled his coaching staff, he deserves more playing time than a few snaps – it can’t hurt.Against Minnesota, the Hoosiers only recorded three of 14 offensive drives lasting more than two minutes. Lynch said it himself: the first unit never got it together. “We didn’t do enough on the offensive side to score the points we needed,” Lynch said. “We had too many turnovers and weren’t very good on third downs.” Don’t misunderstand me. I like Lewis – I really do. He is one of the most explosive playmakers in the nation. However, IU’s current team doesn’t suit the junior. Within the Hoosiers’ offense, Lewis would be more dynamic at wide receiver. When at quarterback, the offense is too hit-or-miss.Lewis, you take shotgun. Let Chappell stir the offense.
(10/03/08 3:05am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>October – it’s the scariest 31 days of the year. If you think baseball’s playoffs rule the month, think again. It’s make-it or break-it time for college football as teams enter the core of their schedules. A stadium full of cheers can turn into jeers with one catch, one run, one tackle. Seasons of hope can morph into seasons of shame with one blink of the eye, one turn of the head, one play of the game. Dreams, goals and wishes can ultimately be destroyed all in one day’s work. And you thought Halloween fell in this month by accident?It appears the ghosts and goblins didn’t wait until mischief night to shake the Hoosiers’ season. As if the loss to in-state foe Ball State wasn’t damage enough, the phantoms of yesteryear called for a second consecutive loss last week to Michigan State. So, what’s your next plan of attack? Villains, a black cat? This calls for some magic potion. Better yet, a Mr. October. This is the month the Hoosiers have to unlock the coffin and bring back their fans. Moreover, now is the time IU must obtain some respect. Starting on Saturday with Minnesota, IU doesn’t have as tough of a schedule in October as opposed to the final four games of the season. After a trip to the Metrodome, the Hoosiers will battle Iowa, Illinois on the road and Northwestern. IU coach Bill Lynch desperately needs his squad to win at least three of four in that swing. And who better to lead the charge than the man of the month himself?The following are the projected candidates – along with their running mates – for IU’s Mr. October:1. Kellen Lewis and Ben ChappellThe dynamic duo of Chappell and Lewis can be jaw-dropping. Whether the two switch off under center or Lewis lines up out wide, the Hoosiers’ offense is at its best when unpredictable. At his weekly press conference, Lynch said he will opt for either Chappell or Lewis depending on the opponent. If the combo excelled last week against a highly-talented Spartan team, Chappell and Lewis should both split time against Minnesota and the games to follow. Not to mention, more throws to Lewis are expected this month. 2. Marcus Thigpen and the offensive lineIf you weren’t impressed by Thigpen’s 78-yard touchdown run against the Spartans, then I don’t know what will. Don’t forget his impressive game against Murray State, when he rushed for 100 yards and scored twice.I have full confidence in Thigpen this month, but Lynch has to give him more carries. In the Hoosiers’ four games this season, Thigpen only has averaged eight carries per contest. Eight carries, are you kidding me? His blazing speed is too precious to waste. With offensive linemen Alex Perry and Roger Saffold back, the men up front are definitely improved from 2007. Lynch just has to utilize them to their potential and give Thigpen roughly 30 carries a game. 3. Will Patterson and the secondaryJunior linebacker Will Patterson is one of a few who’s actually doing his job on defense. He anchors an inconsistent unit with a team-leading 23 tackles. You have to expect Patterson to continue his dominance if the Hoosiers don’t want to embarrass themselves this season. The secondary has to rally behind Patterson and limit opponents’ receptions. No matter who the cornerbacks or safeties are, you have to hope the Hoosiers learned from their dismal outings against two quarterbacks, Ball State’s Nate Davis and Michigan State’s Brian Hoyer. This is the month they have to get it together.No matter which duo wins, all three have to unite if the Hoosiers want to salvage their season. Right now, Lynch’s squad needs a player to step up. IU must play every game as if it’s the last chance to reach a bowl game. No matter how haunted October is, everything is on the line.
(10/01/08 4:38am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Take a number, and get to the back of the line. You’re all guilty. No, I’m not solely referring to the student body. Alumni and locals – you, too, are just as blamable. So, keep walking. While you take that journey to the rear, pat yourself on the back for a job NOT well done. Don’t you dare turn around, because the tomatoes will be flying faster than you can blink. The IU football team’s poor play isn’t the sole reason why Bloomington doesn’t live for football. Don’t attribute the Hoosiers’ recent slide simply to the forced turnovers, the incomplete passes and missed tackles. Don’t even pinpoint IU’s lack of bowl games. It’s you! It’s because of you football has vanished. It’s because of you recruits won’t call IU home. It’s because of you the program is tarnished. You are the culprits. You are the delinquents. Wins and losses shouldn’t dictate whether you enter the gates or not. The level of play shouldn’t be the deciding factor. On game day, the only thing on your mind should be defending the Rock. Where is your sense of pride, people? IU needs a stadium filled with more than varsity club donors and three tiny sections of students, most of which, I assure you, aren’t sober enough to read the scoreboard. There’s no need for me to compare IU to other schools. You are fully aware of the noteworthy fan bases out there. The whacked out and crazy student sections visitors are afraid of, the cheers and fight songs that shake the opposition, the hostile territory that comes with home-field advantage: This is not you, Hoosiers. One would think after a bowl-game appearance, figures would drastically improve the next season. Let’s put it this way: There are still plenty of open seats. The average attendance for the past four home games is roughly 33,342, which is still well short of Memorial Stadium’s capacity of 49,225. But the crowd sure as hell doesn’t look like 30-some-thousand. It’s really funny how things work here. The basketball team is unlikely to be a threat in the Big Ten this season, but I’ll go out on a limb and say Assembly Hall will be fully encompassed with seas of cream and crimson throughout the winter. Why can’t football have the same backing? Why can’t every gridiron grudge have a rivalry feel like the 2007 Old Oaken Bucket contest?As loyal fans not only to the football team but to the University, it’s your responsibility to bring pigskin back to Bloomington. Put the 1994-2006 postseason drought in the past – that’s only an afterthought now. Instead, start something new. So what if the football team loses every game from here on out? Let them hear about it. Actually show up and jeer. Tell them how you really feel.Fans, you need to start from the ground up. Spread the word that IU isn’t just a basketball school. Get football to be just as prevalent. Let Lynch and company take care of the X’s and O’s. You concentrate on breaking the sound barrier. Unlock the corpse and pack the Rock. Like former coach Terry Hoeppner, invent new traditions and witness the program come back to life. Remember – it’s you, the 12th man, who can resurrect home-field advantage. Or you can just wait in line.
(09/29/08 4:04am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>If you believe the Michigan State game was a must-win, you’re wrong. You’re being oblivious to the fact IU has two-thirds of its schedule left to play. Of the eight games to come, seven are Big Ten duels, including this week’s matchup at Minnesota. If you disagree, go to your local barber and rant in the chair, ’cause I don’t want to hear it. Or you can restrain yourself from total outrage and hear me out. The Hoosiers weren’t expected and shouldn’t have speared the Spartans. You can say, though, IU coach Bill Lynch’s team squandered an opportunity to attract some attention within the conference. But reality is Michigan State carries too many prolific playmakers to constrain.Bottom line: An upset on Saturday was elusive. Instead, focus on IU’s productive two-quarterback system in its first conference tussle. The Hoosiers may have lost the game 42-29, but they had one reason to smile. The duet of Kellen Lewis and Ben Chappell worked to perfection. Neither Lewis nor Chappell has made a definitive case to be under center for all four quarters.And that’s OK. Bill Lynch’s no-huddle offense bodes well for both players.IU doesn’t have an outright gunslinger, and by the looks of Saturday’s game plan, the tag-team pair worked efficiently.Lewis sustained an ankle injury before halftime, and Chappell filled in nicely for his counterpart. By game’s end, Chappell had thrown for 107 yards while splitting time with Lewis, not to mention his negated 97-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Terrance Turner that was reversed due to a holding call in the end zone. If you thought Lewis was the only quarterback who can change the game with one throw, think again.“I thought quarterback Ben Chappell came in there and did an outstanding job when Lewis went out for a while and didn’t know if he’d be able to return,” Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said after the game. “He did an outstanding job and really moved their football team.”But when Lewis returned, Chappell was left in. And the Hoosiers became a more cohesive unit. Michigan State, those fans in attendance and even the press box were baffled at the Hoosiers’ new alignment with Chappell under center and Lewis at wide receiver.But you know what? It was the most productive offensive attack I’ve seen this season. Most of the time, the combo moved the chains.“It’s a blast,” Chappell said regarding his throws to Lewis. “We’ve been practicing it all camp, and I was just waiting for it.”Even if Chappell doesn’t want to go to Lewis, he can use him as a decoy. In more cases than not, defenders will spy Lewis when he lines up in the slot or out wide. Chappell can target other receivers and hit them in the open. But don’t forget, Lewis is still a quarterback, and he did switch with Chappell in the second half. There are specific situations that call for each player to take the snaps. When the passing game is out of the picture, Lewis needs to conduct the offense. We all know he has no problem with running the football and eventually that could open up the air attack. Chappell, on the other hand, is perfect for a close-game situation, especially when passing the ball is a must. He’s not as tense as Lewis is in the pocket. It’s evident pressure doesn’t get to him. If the Lewis and Chappell duo confused the heck out of a tough Spartan team, it has to succeed against other opponents, right? For a team that lacks the talent most Big Ten squads possess, the two-quarterback system will pick up the slack. But realize the Hoosiers have only planted this method’s seeds. Give it some time to bloom.
(09/26/08 3:30am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Ball State running back MiQuale Lewis undoubtedly prevailed in the game of cat-and-mouse last week – 60 minutes, four quarters, without getting caught. From one eye-popping juke to another, he often left Hoosier defenders behind in what amounted to a blowout loss. The chase lasted so long that Lewis recorded 24 points on four touchdowns and rushed for a whopping 166 yards. Not to mention, his eye-popping gambits kept IU players scratching their heads, reiterating their team’s inability to stop the run. Moreover, it was tough for the Hoosiers to swallow the fact that the cat never won. When the fat lady sung, it was music to the IU defense’s ears thankfully ending Lewis’ runaway in Bloomington. But, another week means another game of cat-and-mouse, and Michigan State has all intentions of showcasing its sharp speedster out of the backfield. If catching Lewis was unattainable last week, tracking down Spartan running back Javon Ringer will be out of the question on Saturday. Let me put it to you this way: The Spartans aren’t coming to town. Ringer is. Quarterback Brian Hoyer won’t be leading the green and white onto the turf. Ringer will. And Coach Mark Dantonio’s gameplan? You guessed it – get the ball in Ringer’s hands as often as possible. If you haven’t noticed the Spartans’ attack with regard to their talented playmaker, I’ll give you a snapshot of his last three performances. Ringer carried the ball for a combined 116 times, totaled 618 rushing yards and notched nine touchdowns. Five came in one game against Eastern Michigan. If those totals don’t do anything for you, do back-to-back 200-yard rushing performances sway your post? Even if you despise the Spartans, you have to tip your hat to Ringer. Dantonio’s critics, though, question his numerous play calls for Ringer. And their theory makes sense, but only somewhat. They argue this: Even if a running back is a Heisman Trophy candidate or an up-and-coming star, having him carry the ball 39 or more times in consecutive contests is bizarre, especially when the opponent isn’t a conference foe.Questions of longevity come into play. So why do I say only somewhat? Frankly, Michigan State doesn’t have anybody else close to Ringer’s caliber, and the senior has repeatedly noted that he’s comfortable with his high volume of touches. To be blunt, rallying behind Ringer is a chance the Spartans have to take. The burden cannot fall on Hoyer’s inconsistent shoulders. The Spartan quarterback logged an impressive game in California to kick off the season, but quickly regressed back into erratic form in his team’s last three bouts. Hoyer passed for no more than 148 yards in each of those games, netting no touchdowns.Point blank, he’s not the guy you want to lead the Spartans down the stretch. Ringer is. And even if the IU secondary is shaken up with injuries, I can’t see Hoyer dominating through the air. So, count on Dantonio to keep pounding the ball even if he’s facing a feeble IU defense. That will be his strategy. That is his only strategy. Expect a cat-and-mouse-like contest at the Rock. The IU defense will be the cat determined to catch the mouse and limit his yards on the ground. On the opposite sideline, Ringer will be the mouse, and the one who wins this duel more times than none, due to his blazing speed, which the cat just doesn’t have. Football, cat-and-mouse, whatever game you want to call it – Ringer won’t be caught.