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(10/19/09 3:54am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>As IU junior quarterback Ben Chappell ran off the field following the Hoosiers’ 27-14 win against Illinois on Saturday, a look crossed his face that fans hadn’t seen in the past three weeks.It was a look of happiness, confidence and, most importantly, relief. “It was fun,” Chappell said. “The offensive line played great, we were able to run the ball and the wide receivers made great catches. We have to come out every week and have that intensity.”After lopsided losses to Ohio State and Virginia, Chappell went into his matchup against the Fighting Illini with something to prove. He did just that. Chappell finished 23-38 with 333 yards, three touchdowns – both career highs – and zero turnovers. His poise in the pocket enabled him to complete at least two passes each to five different receivers. Sophomore wide receivers Tandon Doss and Damarlo Belcher each caught a touchdown pass and finished with 130 and 91 yards, respectively. Junior wide receiver and wildcat quarterback Mitchell Evans led the ground attack with 84 yards rushing. Chappell’s performance against Illinois was the most complete of his career and answered any critics that may have questioned his ability as a Big Ten quarterback. IU coach Bill Lynch said a game of this quality was due for Chappell.“You cannot explain all that Ben Chappell does for our football team,” Lynch said. “Obviously the offense specifically, in terms of making sure everyone is on the same page and the preparation through the week. Any success he gets is like Jammie (Kirlew). They deserve it because they work for it.” Chappell began the game with two key drives down the field, though both ended in missed field goals by freshman kicker Nick Freeland.But in the second quarter, IU made it count.On the first drive of the period, Chappell led the Hoosiers downfield to the Illinois 18-yard line before settling for a successful field goal attempt by Freeland to provide a 3-0 lead. Down 7-3 after an Illinois touchdown pass from quarterback Juice Williams to wide receiver A.J. Jenkins, IU responded with a score of its own. Chappell completed five passes for 51 yards, moving the Hoosiers to the Fighting Illini’s 29-yard line before hitting Belcher on the far right side. Belcher eluded an Illinois cornerback and ran into the end zone with less than a minute remaining in the half, giving IU the 10-7 lead. “That was just a great play by him,” Chappell said. “I overthrew him on the first drive and missed him another time. He just kept playing and made a great play.”A tough defensive stance by IU gave the ball back to the offense only 23 seconds later, resulting in another Freeland field goal. After a scoreless third quarter, Chappell put the game out of reach for the Illini with two touchdown drives to begin the fourth quarter. On the ensuing IU drive, three rushes by freshman running back Darius Willis for 12 yards set up a 44-yard strike from Chappell to Doss into the end zone.Just minutes later – after IU freshman defensive tackle Larry Black recovered a fumble – Chappell found senior tight end Troy Wagner in the end zone from 13 yards out to give the Hoosiers a 27-7 lead and, eventually, the win. Belcher said spreading the ball around to a variety of receivers was crucial Saturday.“It makes the defense struggle a little bit,” Belcher said. “If everybody touches the ball and the running backs run the ball, we will be a hard offense to stop. We came out here and did what we needed to do and got the win.”
(10/18/09 1:06am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>After two weeks of dismal losses to Ohio State and Virginia, the Hoosiers responded with a hard-fought 27-14 win on Saturday night against Illinois.IU junior quarterback Ben Chappell had his most complete game of 2009 with 333 passing yards, three touchdowns and no turnovers. On the ground, junior wide receiver Mitchell Evans added 88 yards rushing to lead the Hoosiers.“It was fun,” Chappell said. “The offensive line played great, we were able to run the ball and the wide receivers made great catches. We played a lot better.”After the first 15 minutes of play, the Hoosiers and Fighting Illini were deadlocked in a defensive battle at 0-0.Chappell led two strong drives to begin the quarter to set up 38 and 32 field goal attempts by freshman kicker Nick Freeland. But after both sailed wide of the uprights, the Hoosiers left the field with no points.Illinois quarterback Juice Williams never got in a rhythm and did not lead his team past the 50-yard line in that period. The second quarter was another story. With 11:09 remaining in the period, Chappell began with a 22-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Tandon Doss. Two plays later, Chappell found sophomore wide receiver Damarlo Belcher for 14 yards and junior wide receiver Mitchell Evans followed with a rush of 27 yards to the Illinois 23 yard-line. But unable to attain the first down, Freeland kicked a 35-yard field goal for the 3-0 lead. On the Fighting Illini’s second drive of the quarter, Williams threw a 22-yard strike to wide receiver A.J. Jenkins. Running back Mikel Leshoure followed with three carries for 29 yards to the IU 29-yard line. After a one-yard loss, Williams hit Jenkins again from 30-yards out for a touchdown and the four-point advantage.On the Hoosiers’ next drive, Chappell had five completions for 51 yards to bring the ball to the Illinois 29-yard line. Just under a minute remaining, he then hit Belcher on the far right side for a 29-yard touchdown score. The half ended with the score 13-7 in favor of the Hoosiers.And while the second-quarter ended with a flurry of offensive production, the third quarter was anything but that. Both Illinois and Indiana had three drives each but failed to score, leaving IU with the six-point lead. Chappell added to the Hoosiers’ total with two more touchdowns to start the fourth quarter. The first came after freshman running back Darius Willis compiled 12 yards on the ground to the Illinois 44-yard line. On the next play, Chappell proceeded to throw a dart into the end zone to Doss for the 20-7 lead.After a fumble recovery by freshman defensive tackle Larry Black, Willis ran for five yards to the Illinois 13-yard line. Chappell then found senior tight end Troy Wagner from 13-yards out in the end zone to put the game out of reach for the Fighting Illini.Illinois answered with a six-minute drive, culminating in a three-yard touchdown pass from Williams to wide receiver Jeff Cumberland to make the score 27-14.But with little time remaining, no team added to their totals and IU earned its first Big Ten victory of the season.Doss said the difference against Illinois from the past two weeks was overall team attitude.“We came back this week and Coach emphasized on bringing the intensity back,” Doss said. “That’s what we did.” IU coach Bill Lynch said this win was monumental for his team’s confidence.“This was a great win for our football team,” Lynch said. “I was really proud at how they bounced back from a tough couple of weeks. We challenged them pretty hard on Monday, and they responded.”
(10/16/09 4:25am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>After two weeks of lackluster offense, the IU running backs have a chance to redeem themselves Saturday against the worst rushing defense in the Big Ten.But while Illinois allows an average of 185 yards and two touchdowns on the ground each game, IU assistant head coach and running backs coach Dennis Springer said it is crucial never to look past an opponent based on standings.“The one thing you will find in the Big Ten is that it doesn’t matter where they are statistically,” Springer said. “Everybody is going to come play their best game against whoever they are playing in the league. The run game is important no matter who you are playing, whether they are first or last.”And for the Hoosiers to be successful Saturday, the IU rushing attack must be more effective than it has been the past two games.In their first four matchups, the Hoosiers’ explosive running backs averaged 160 yards on the ground en route to a 3-1 start. But against Ohio State and Virginia – both losses by a combined 59 points – the running backs were almost nonexistent and contributed largely to the outcomes.Against the Buckeyes and Cavaliers, IU rushed for a total of 100 yards and an average of 1.7 yards per carry. The limited success running the football early in those games enabled opposing defenses to drop back in coverage and focus on IU junior quarterback Ben Chappell.Senior running back Demetrius McCray said establishing a balanced offense is the key to victory.“That just comes with working hard every day in practice and executing better than we have been the past two weeks,” McCray said. “(Last week) we needed to step up the energy level. We have to get back to playing as a team and as one unit.”IU freshman running back Darius Willis, who had 152 yards rushing against Michigan on Sept. 26, is questionable for Saturday’s contest because of an ankle injury.With or without Willis, IU will need to get a full effort on both sides of the ball to earn its first conference win.In Illinois, the Hoosiers will face either Juice Williams or Eddie McGee at the quarterback position. Williams, a four-year starter, has lacked consistency all season with only 628 passing yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions. Since being benched against Michigan State last week, he has been battling in practice with McGee for the No. 1 spot on Saturday.Fighting Illini running back Jason Ford leads the team with 213 yards rushing and a touchdown.But despite Illinois’ total offense and defense ranking No. 9 and No. 11 in the conference, respectively, its level of competition has been tough. The team’s four losses have come to perennial conference leaders in Missouri, Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan State.IU sophomore cornerback Donnell Jones said the little things will make the difference against Illinois. “We need more enthusiasm and have to stay strong the entire game,” Jones said. “Most of the problems (last week) were us. We have to get back to playing IU football.”
(10/12/09 3:40am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.– After the Hoosiers’ 47-7 loss to Virginia on Saturday, IU junior quarterback Ben Chappell was asked if anything went right for his team against the Cavaliers.He calmly answered with one word: “No.”Chappell finished 22-33 with 177 yards, an interception and two sacks. Senior running back Demetrius McCray – who filled in for injured freshman running back Darius Willis – gained only 47 yards on 13 carries.The Hoosiers did not even reach the Cavaliers’ 20-yard line until less than nine minutes remained in the game. “That was pretty rough,” Chappell said. “That wasn’t our football team. We’re going to have to do something to find it, because that wasn’t us.”From the opening kickoff, the IU offense could not get in rhythm. Chappell was pressured by the Virginia defensive line throughout the four quarters and was not given adequate time to throw the ball. The lack of protection forced Chappell to make ill-advised passes, most notably his interception in the second quarter. His throw intended for junior wide receiver Mitchell Evans was badly overthrown and landed perfectly in the arms of Virginia cornerback Ras-I Dowling.Chappell said the ineffective air attack was not the fault of one particular player.“It was a total lack of execution,” Chappell said. “We had guys going the wrong way, guys not getting the signals – the little stuff on offense that we cannot have to be successful.”A challenge throwing the football was expected for IU as the Cavaliers were ranked in the top 10 nationally for passing defense. But Virginia’s rushing defense was a different story. They were ranked No. 71 in the country after giving up average of than 145 yards per game on the ground. Even with an experienced running back in McCray, the Hoosiers averaged only 2.8 yards per carry rushing and had 82 total yards. The Cavaliers were also able to eliminate any big play from the IU’s runners, with all of McCray’s and sophomore running back Zach Davis-Walker’s runs being reduced to no more than 12 yards.Virginia linebacker Steve Greer said his team’s focus entering the matchup was slowing down the Hoosiers’ running backs. “We want to go into every game and make sure people know that we have a tough defense,” Greer said. “We wanted to be a physical team today, and I think that was a big part of stopping the run. It feels good to have our defense working together, and everyone seems to be making plays out there.”IU coach Bill Lynch said Willis was kept out of Saturday’s game because of an ankle injury. He added, though, that Willis’ absence in the backfield was not the reason for the loss.“We made the decision not to play him this morning,” Lynch said on Saturday. “It did hurt us, but that was one of those kinds of games where they beat us on both sides of the ball. Any one guy would not have made that much of a difference.”
(10/09/09 2:20am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>From the backyard of their home in Centerville, Ohio, to their stadium in high school and now Memorial Stadium, there has been one constant for Tyler and Adam Replogle.They have played football – together.“With our other two brothers, we used to play hockey, baseball, basketball, soccer or football pretty much every day,” Tyler Replogle said. “It kind of brings you back to when you were a kid and playing all those sports. It’s cool to see that as we have gotten older, it continued.”A junior starting linebacker for IU, Tyler Replogle has emerged as a leader on one of the better defenses in the Big Ten. His younger brother, Adam Replogle, is a defensive tackle and the only true freshman to start for the Hoosiers this season.Tyler and Adam Replogle are the first set of brothers to start for IU since 1999, when Antwaan and Curtis Randle El played quarterback and defensive back, respectively.With their father Tom Replogle being a former football player at Virginia Military Institute, Adam Replogle said he and Tyler Replogle established a love for the game at an early age.“I actually had to beg him to play football in second grade,” Adam Replogle said. “He didn’t want us playing until sixth grade, which was when Tyler started. But he told us if we loved it, we could do it.”That passion for football continued at Centerville High School, where both brothers helped lead the Elks to multiple Greater Western Ohio Conference championships.As a senior, Tyler Replogle was named the GWOC Defensive Player of the Year and finished his career with 407 tackles and 65 tackles for a loss. Not to be outdone, Adam Replogle earned first team All-state, first team All-district and the GWOC Player of the Year in his final season.IU coach Bill Lynch said he knew Adam Replogle would contribute immediately after seeing him play high school basketball on his one off-campus recruiting trip.“Just watching him compete on a basketball court, I said to (co-defensive coordinator) Brian George when we were leaving, ‘He’s going to play as a true freshman,’” Lynch said. “You can just see his competitiveness. From the day he got here, he was ready.” Tyler Replogle is currently third on the team with 30 tackles this season. Adam Replogle has added 11 tackles of his own and is a main component of the Hoosiers’ dynamic pass rush.When asked about the brothers, both Lynch and co-defensive coordinator Joe Palcic answered with one word: “intensity.”“They are full speed all the time,” Palcic said. “At Akron, Tyler got an interception, and his brother was running down the field trying to get a block for him. I rewound it on film, and I said, ‘Look at that, brother blocking for brother’ – that was pretty cool.”Adam Replogle said having the opportunity to play alongside his brother is something he has enjoyed thus far.“Just knowing that you are experiencing what few brothers can, playing in the Big Ten,” Adam Replogle said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
(10/05/09 3:48am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor was chosen by the media as the Big Ten’s preseason Offensive Player of the Year, and he lived up to that billing in Saturday’s 33-14 win against the Hoosiers. Ohio State totaled 219 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground against IU, including 183 yards in the first half. By comparison, IU, which entered its matchup against the Buckeyes averaging nearly 160 yards per game on the ground, finished with only 18 total yards. IU senior linebacker Matt Mayberry said his team’s inability to limit Ohio State’s run attack was a big reason for the loss.“We knew Pryor was going to go off and try to run the ball,” Mayberry said. “He’s fast, big and hard to take down. We knew exactly what they were going to do, but they just executed better tonight.” The biggest factor on Saturday was Pryor’s playmaking ability, which controlled the pace of the game from the opening snap. On designed passing plays that were well-defended, Pryor took off running. His 6-foot, 6-inch frame and 235 pounds caused major issues for the Hoosiers. Multiple defenders were often needed to bring him down. Pryor ended the game with 63 yards and one touchdown on the ground – statistics greatly deflated by three sacks by IU.He was also effective in the air with 159 passing yards, three touchdowns and one interception.IU senior defensive end Jammie Kirlew said Pryor’s mobility presented problems in all four quarters.“I got to admit, I did underestimate his speed because he is such a big guy,” Kirlew said. “His speed is just ridiculous. He really did a good job creating plays for their offense.” Buckeye running back Brandon Saine was also trouble for the Hoosiers. He rushed for 113 yards on 17 carries, good for an average of 6.6 yards per run. He was most effective in the first quarter, with 70 rushing yards, and added another running dimension to complement Pryor. The Buckeyes’ effectiveness running the ball early forced IU to adjust its defensive scheme in the second half.But despite Ohio State gaining 36 yards on the ground in those final 30 minutes, the Buckeyes’ defense was equally impressive.The only score it allowed came on the final play of the game with backups on the field.They limited the typically potent freshman running back Darius Willis to only 2.1 yards per carry. Willis was only a week removed from his 152-yard rushing performance against Michigan on Sept. 26. His total pickup of only 23 yards came against a team that hadn’t allowed a score in two games. IU coach Bill Lynch said the Buckeyes were just too much to handle.“That’s as good a defense as there is in America,” Lynch said. “Particularly, their front four just came after us and gave us problems. We didn’t play well enough, and they certainly did what they had to do to win.”
(10/04/09 3:45am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>When IU coach Bill Lynch said that his team has never faced a player like Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor, he wasn’t kidding.Pryor finished with 222 yards and four touchdowns in the air and on the ground in leading his team to a 33-14 rout over the Hoosiers on Saturday night. Buckeye running back Brandon Saine added 113 rushing yards.IU junior quarterback Ben Chappell was 20-34 for 210 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. IU freshman running back Darius Willis had only 23 yards on 11 carries.“That’s as good of a defense as there is in America,” Lynch said. “I give Ohio State credit, they are a very good football team. We didn’t play well enough and they certainly did what they needed to do to win.”The first quarter was completely dominated by Ohio State, which had possession for 11:31 compared to IU’s 3:29. The Buckeyes rushed for 42 yards on five carries through Ohio State quarterback Pryor, Saine and wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher. But an incomplete pass and two short rushes by Saine led to a made field goal by kicker Aaron Pettrey.Ohio State’s next drive was more successful. Powerful running from Saine and Pryor brought the ball to IU’s five-yard line. Pryor then connected with wide receiver Duron Carter on a slant for the touchdown.At the time of the touchdown, 7:29 remaining in the first quarter, Ohio State had already totaled 100 yards on the ground. But after a missed field goal by Pettrey on the Buckeyes’ next drive, the Hoosiers responded. IU junior quarterback Ben Chappell began with a 32-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Tandon Doss. Chappell then found sophomore wide receiver Damarlo Belcher for 15 yards to the Ohio State 30-yard line. Doss subsequently ran twice for 16 yards and caught a seven-yard pass before hauling in a seven-yard touchdown to make the score 10-7 Buckeyes.But Ohio State responded on the very next drive. With 12:50 remaining in the half, Pryor ran for 14 yards and followed with an 18-yard pass to Sanzenbacher. The next play he found wide receiver DeVier Posey for a 23-yard touchdown.Just before halftime, Pryor again found a way to score. He passed to running back Zach Boren from eight-yards out for the touchdown and a 24-7 lead.The second half was not much different.IU’s opening drive ended in a Chappell pass being intercepted by Ohio State cornerback Anderson Russell. On the Hoosiers’ next possession, they were forced to punt after 3 plays. But a poor snap resulted in a safety for the Buckeyes and a 26-7 advantage.Pryor added a one-yard touchdown run with 12:05 remaining to lead 33-7. On the final play of the game, Chappell found sophomore wide receiver Matt Ernest in the back of the end zone for the score, but it was not enough to overtake Ohio State. IU senior linebacker Matt Mayberry said containing Pryor’s mobility was a major factor on Saturday.“We knew what they were going to do coming into it,” Mayberry said. “We knew Pryor was going to come out and try to run the ball, that’s what he likes to do. They just executed better than us tonight.IU senior defensive end Jammie Kirlew said his team the Buckeyes controlled the matchup from the opening kickoff. “We just came out flat,” Kirlew said. “We didn’t play good enough to win today. They took advantage of every opportunity.”
(10/02/09 4:42am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU freshman quarterbacks Dusty Kiel and Connor Creevey were used in practice this week to simulate No. 9 Ohio State’s dual-threat passer Terrelle Pryor. But IU coach Bill Lynch said just strategizing for the sophomore quarterback – the preseason Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year – is a challenge in itself. “Over the summer, when you get a chance to watch tape, you start realizing what an incredible athlete he is,” Lynch said. “He’s a great football player and we haven’t gone against a guy like him this year.”Standing at 6 feet, 6 inches, Pryor can easily see above the line of scrimmage and throws the deep ball as accurately as any passer in the Big Ten. Last year he completed 60.6 percent of his passes for 1,311 yards and 12 touchdowns with only four interceptions. But where Pryor really stands out is his ability to run the football. He has been timed to run the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds – the fastest of any player on the Buckeyes – and displayed his mobility against its four opponents this season. Pryor is the team’s leading rusher with 235 yards on the ground, an average of six yards per carry. Weighing 235 pounds doesn’t hurt, either. “Pryor is an interesting guy because you don’t see him get tackled very often,” Lynch said. “Eventually you can kind of corral him out of bounds, but he does not go down very often. He’s so strong that he can straight-arm defensive lineman.”IU co-defensive coordinator Brian George said he has seen only one player in college football with similar natural skill to Pryor: former Texas quarterback Vince Young.“His ability to not only throw the ball, but to run the ball, brings a whole new dimension to what they do,” George said. “We need to continue to do a better job being assignment-sound. We have to bring it up another notch this week.”And while Pryor is the focus on offense, there is not one particular player on Ohio State’s defense that outshines the rest. Since losing to USC on Sept. 12, the Buckeyes have not allowed a single point to opposing teams.Against Toledo, the Rockets did not run a play in Ohio State territory until the 4:26 mark in the third quarter. Typically high-powered Illinois quarterback Juice Williams was almost non-existent one week later, throwing for only 77 yards and two interceptions without a touchdown.“They are a very good defense,” IU freshman running back Darius Willis said. “They are similar to Michigan in that they are fast-flow, wrap fast and are very disciplined in the job that they need to get done.”Ohio State junior linebacker Brian Rolle leads the team with 33 tackles on the season, and senior safety Kurt Coleman is next on that list. However, Coleman will miss Saturday’s game because of a suspension resulting from a late hit against Illinois. IU offensive coordinator Matt Canada said the Buckeye defense is as complete as any team in the country. “They run to the ball well, are very athletic on the back end and their linebackers make a bunch of plays,” Canada said. “Up front they are big and strong. There is not a weak link to them and that is why they aren’t giving up any points.”
(09/30/09 3:24pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Twenty years ago on a cold Nov. 11 afternoon in Madison, Wisc., then-IU football coach Bill Mallory roamed the sidelines of Camp Randall Stadium until he reached senior running back Anthony Thompson. With his top two quarterbacks injured, Mallory was forced to run the ball. A lot. “I said to Anthony, ‘Strap it on bud – we’re gonna have to run you more.’”THE GAMEFifty-two carries, 377 yards and four touchdowns later, Thompson solidified himself as arguably the greatest football player in IU history, garnering a new NCAA Division I record for most yards in a single game.“To ask a young man to do something like that is amazing,” Mallory said of the Wisconsin game. “To me that was just an awesome performance.”Former linebacker John Miller said he remembers telling quarterback Dave Schnell at the game, “don’t throw the ball, keep handing if off to Anthony, because these guys aren’t stopping him.“He was like a train that day,” Miller said of Anthony in the Hoosiers’ 45-17 win. “It was the most amazing thing I have ever watched in college football.” But Thompson’s monumental day against the Badgers was only part of the greatest season by an individual player in 125 years of the IU football program. By the end of 1989, he added his name to some of college football’s most decorated lists – Heisman Trophy runner-up, first team All-American, Big Ten conference MVP, Walter Camp Player of the Year and Maxwell awards recipient, and was the Division I record-holder for rushing yards in a single game and career touchdowns (65) for nearly a decade. THE PLAY But while the game against Wisconsin meant a lot to Thompson, he said setting the career touchdown record in Bloomington the week prior was more significant.On a goal-line play about four yards from the end zone, Schnell handed the ball off to Thompson, who easily ran through the oncoming defensive line for the score. The six points against Michigan State gave him 60 touchdowns for his career – the most in NCAA Division I history at the time.“It was really awesome to break that record and to see a stadium full of cream and crimson chanting your name and clapping and applauding the accomplishment that was done on the field,” Thompson said. “To share that moment with my teammates, fans and family, it was really a great experience.”THE HEISMAN TROPHY CEREMONYEven though the season ended in a disappointing 5-6 record for the Hoosiers, Thompson’s career was not quite over.Nominated for the Heisman Trophy – the most prestigious award in college football – he, his family and Coach Mallory flew to New York City for the presentation of the honor.Thompson was a nominated for the Heisman along with University of Houston quarterback Andre Ware, West Virginia quarterback Major Harris, Notre Dame quarterback Tony Rice and Colorado quarterback Darian Hagan. When the final ballots were tallied, Ware received the award by a slight margin over Thompson.Despite not seeing Thompson take home the trophy, Mallory said the time shared with his running back is something he will never forget. “That was a great thrill,” Mallory said. “I was so proud of him and to see him go and come so close to winning the Heisman. I’d have to say it was right at the top of the list in terms of experiences that I have had in my coaching profession.”LOOKING BACK, 20 YEARS LATERIn his four years at IU, Thompson finished with 5,299 yards, 67 touchdowns and more accolades than any other player to ever don the cream and crimson. His hard work and effort on the field was recognized in 2007 when he became the sixth Hoosier to enter the College Football Hall of Fame.For Thompson, though, these awards mean little compared to the lifelong memories he shared with his teammates and coaches – particularly Mallory – between 1986 and 1989.“He always pushed you to do your best,” Thompson said. “His persona – a tough-and-hard nose guy – permeated throughout the team. We came in as boys. When Coach Mallory finished with us, we left as men.”
(09/28/09 3:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>ANN ARBOR, Mich. – IU finished with more total yards and time of possession than No. 23 Michigan on Saturday, but the Wolverines did one thing the Hoosiers could not.They capitalized when opportunities presented themselves.“When it’s all said and done, and you look back, that’s the big difference,” IU coach Bill Lynch said after his team’s 36-33 loss. “But you have to give Michigan’s defense some credit. They bowed up and kept us out of the end zone.”IU’s red-zone offense posted four field goals and only one touchdown after the completion of the first quarter. The scenario played out on multiple occasions, with the Hoosiers settling for field goals rather than touchdowns.Tied at 14 points after 15 minutes, the Hoosiers had chances to put the ball in the end zone and quiet the 108,118 fans in Michigan Stadium.The second IU drive of the second quarter started the way Lynch had wanted. Junior quarterback Ben Chappell looked strong with three consecutive completions for 34 yards in reaching the Michigan 13-yard line. Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, a run for no gain by freshman running back Darius Willis and two short passes for six total yards led to a field goal by freshman kicker Nick Freeland.An interception by freshman defensive tackle Nicholas Sliger a few minutes later gave the Hoosiers prime field position at the Michigan 29-yard line. But even with a 26-yard pass from Chappell to sophomore wide receiver Tandon Doss, IU could not find the end zone and added only three points to their total for a 20-14 lead.IU continued to rely on Freeland, who finally missed a field goal on 42-yard kick early in the fourth quarter. “We are always coached to score touchdowns in the red zone, and today we just didn’t do what we needed to do,” junior wide receiver Terrance Turner said. “We got into position to make plays and just didn’t make enough plays to win the game.” And when the Wolverines needed to score, they did. Michigan freshman quarterback Tate Forcier opened the fourth quarter with a 13-play drive that culminated in his seven-yard touchdown run down the right sideline. Forcier’s eight-yard scamper into the end zone for the two-point conversion gave the Wolverines a 29-26 lead with 9:15 remaining in the game.Willis responded for IU on the very next play from scrimmage with an 85-yard run down the left sideline to put the Hoosiers back on top, 33-29.But Forcier was not finished.The young quarterback calmly led his team down the field before throwing a 26-yard strike into the end zone for sophomore wide receiver Martavious Odoms and a three-point advantage.With 2:29 remaining, Chappell had one final shot to win the game. But his pass intended for sophomore wide receiver Damaralo Belcher was intercepted by Michigan cornerback Donovan Warren, and IU’s hopes of an upset were over. Chappell said the Hoosiers’ failure to put the ball in the end zone was a major factor in their loss on Saturday.“You just can’t do that and win games,” he said. “A lot of it’s on me – missing Tandon (Doss) in the corner and there were some other guys open, but we got to play better. We just didn’t execute.”
(09/25/09 4:02am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Don’t let the deep, quiet voice of IU senior linebacker Will Patterson fool you. He’s one of the most tenacious players on the roster – just ask IU senior cornerback Nick Polk.“As far as tackling, he is a great hitter,” said Polk, a former wide receiver, said. “His hips are really strong, and once he hits you, you’re going to feel it.” In 2008, the Hoosiers ranked last in total defense in the Big Ten and 107th in the nation. But this season is a different story.IU has the No. 4 defense in the conference and is in the Big Ten’s top-3 teams for red zone defense, sacks, rushing defense and turnover margin.Now fully recovered from knee injury last season and a wrist injury in the spring, Patterson has been a major contributor to those areas. “He is everything you are looking for in a football player,” IU coach Bill Lynch said. “He is one of those guys that doesn’t say a lot, but you can tell that the players really follow him. He is also a very good player.“The combination of the two make him an excellent leader, and he is really important to our defense.” Not only does he lead the Hoosiers with 16 tackles, but Patterson also made one of the biggest defensive plays of the young season against Eastern Kentucky on Sept. 3. On the Colonels’ first drive of the game, Patterson broke free from his opposing offensive lineman and came after EKU quarterback Cody Watts with all he had. He ended up sacking Watts in the end zone for a safety and gave the Hoosiers a 2-0 lead early in the first quarter. IU eventually won by a mere six points, 19-13. Patterson said there are three aspects of his game that have led to success on the field.“My leadership, speed and passion for playing football,” Patterson said. “I try to make others feel what I feel for the game.” While Patterson is a presence on the field, his leadership qualities are what truly set him apart.Polk said Patterson was the player most responsible for getting teammates in the weight room and for seven-on-seven drills during the team’s winter conditioning. He also is influential in the locker room – especially for the younger players.“If somebody is going to step up, it’s going to be Will,” Polk said of speaking to the team. “If someone says something right before him, he is going to have something to add, and it’s always useful. He’s a little bit intimidating with his size and deep voice, but off the field he does a great job.”IU co-defensive coordinator Joe Palcic echoed the Polk’s sentiments.“Before you even start to talk about him as a football player, you have to talk about him as a person,” Palcic said of Patterson. “He is a very high-character kid who provides great leadership. He doesn’t say a lot, but when he does, people listen.”
(09/23/09 3:40pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU defensive end Jammie Kirlew has a passion for crushing quarterbacks – and film, politics, business and community service. On Tuesday, his many talents were recognized.Kirlew was selected to the 2009 Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works team. The distinction is presented to 22 college football players across the country who demonstrate hard work and dedication on and off the field. “It’s a tremendous feeling,” Kirlew said. “Looking at some of the names of the guys who won the year before, and the guys there now, it’s just amazing. Especially when you get rewarded for living your life and doing good things.”This summer, a record 106 players were nominated for the award.Lisa Cochrane, vice president of marketing for Allstate, said it is important to recognize the student-athletes who make a difference to the world around them.“Allstate has been inspired by the commitment and sacrifice these student-athletes have made to better our communities and improve the lives of our neighbors,” Cochrane said in a press release. “As a proud partner of the AFCA, we feel that it’s our responsibility to shine a spotlight on these young men for the outstanding impact they’ve made off the field.” And in his four years in Bloomington, Kirlew has done just that. He is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection as a double major in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, pursuing degrees in management and public financial management. Kirlew is also an active member of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program and has volunteered in the past at the Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington. In addition, Kirlew studied abroad in Italy during the summer of 2006 and worked with President Obama’s campaign in 2008, registering voters. He also directed a short film for a national student-film competition.Coach Bill Lynch said the work Kirlew has done outside of football is remarkable. “It is a great award for Jammie,” Lynch said. “I know he is going to be introduced at the Sugar Bowl, which is very prestigious. We are very happy for Jammie and it is very well-deserved.” Aside from his work in the classroom, Kirlew has also played a large part in the Hoosiers’ 3-0 record, the first time since 2007. He leads IU with 2.5 sacks in three games and is fifth on the team in tackles with 11. Kirlew is on the watchlists for the Ted Hendricks, Chuck Bednarik and Rotary Lombardi Awards. But while Kirlew enjoys his time on the gridiron, he said he has many other aspirations after his football career is over. “I would like to play football for as long as I can,” Kirlew said. “One of my big goals is to come back and go to law school at IU, and then take life from there.”
(09/21/09 4:20am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Battling back from an ACL injury, IU senior safety Austin Thomas worked each day this off-season to return to peak condition. It showed Saturday when Thomas intercepted Akron quarterback Matt Rodgers twice en route to a 38-21 win against the Zips.“All the guys up front were getting pressure on the quarterback,” Thomas said. “Putting hands in his face, hitting him all game long, and it makes it easy on a defensive back and very hard on a quarterback. Any time you go on the road in a hostile environment and quiet their fans, it feels good.”Thomas was not the only defensive player who made a significant impact for the IU defense.Junior linebacker Tyler Replogle had a breakout game with seven tackles, a sack and an interception returned 30 yards in the third quarter. IU senior defensive end Greg Middleton continued his strong season with six tackles. He also recorded a sack on the first drive of the game.Sophomore cornerback Andre LaGrone added an interception of his own late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory for the Hoosiers.Without an interception in the first two games, Thomas said, “It was good to get that monkey off our back.”A touchdown pass in the first quarter was the only legitimate score the Hoosier starting defense gave up all game. The second Akron touchdown came on a blocked punt recovered in the end zone and the final points occurred in the last minute with IU backups on the field.IU coach Bill Lynch said he was pleased with the overall defensive effort.“I thought our defense played well again in the sense that we controlled the run,” Lynch said. “It gave us a chance to get after the quarterback and our coverage was good. They are really playing hard and making plays and today they created the turnovers which were really big.”The Zips averaged only 3.5 yards per carry for 106 total yards on the ground. Akron’s top rusher was Rodgers, who gained 44 yards – almost all when a passing play broke down. But stopping the run was not the only aspect of the game the Hoosiers’ defense excelled in.Rodgers looked uncomfortable in the pocket throughout the four quarters. Constant pressure from the IU defense caused the Zips’ quarterback to make poor throws – four of which were intercepted.The most yardage given up to an individual receiver was 86 to Deryn Bowser. In addition, no Zips player had more than three receptions on the afternoon.“Offensively our consistency just wasn’t even close and credit goes to the IU defense,” Akron coach J.D. Brookhart said. “We kind of got into a little bit of a drop-back game and their defensive backs just reared back and got going. Their ends are tough and they are strong and fast so they made some things difficult.” IU senior defensive end Jammie Kirlew said the road victory is important as the team heads into its first Big Ten match-up at Michigan next week.“This team is really good and we are still learning that,” Kirlew said. “The culture has changed. Getting a win like this by a wide margin definitely helps build confidence for our young guys.”
(09/19/09 9:13pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>AKRON, Ohio — With two close wins to start the season, the IU football team needed a big victory to make a statement to the rest of the Big Ten.And with their 38-21 win, the Hoosiers did just that.IU quarterback Ben Chappell finished with 163 yards and two touchdowns with one interception on 28 attempts. The running game was equally effective. IU freshman running back Darius Willis led the ground attack with 69 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. Junior running back Trea Burgess added 59 yards and a touchdown and sophomore running back Darius Willis rushed for 45 yards. “It was another good win for us,” IU coach Bill Lynch. “It was good to see that in the second half we were finally able to score some points and create some turnovers. We are very fortunate to get a win and now we are headed into the Big Ten season.”On the first play of the game, senior cornerback Ray Fisher returned a kickoff 91-yards for a touchdown and the early 7-0 lead.“I was really due for one,” Fisher said of his score. “I sort of hit it and the rest is history.”The very next offensive sequence for the Hoosiers ended in a made field goal by freshman kicker Nick Freeland.But the Zips would fight back down on their next possession. The first play was a 28-yard pass from Akron quarterback Matt Rogers to wide receiver Deryn Bowser. The following pass attempt by Rogers was a 49-yard strike to Bowser down the right sideline for the touchdown.The second quarter did not start strong for the Hoosiers. On a punt on the IU 38- yard line, Akron blocked the kick and linebacker Aaron Williams fell on the football in the end zone to bring the score to 14-10, Zips.A 10-yard pass from Chappell to junior wide receiver Mitchell Evans with 37 seconds remaining in the half sent the Hoosiers to the locker room with the 17-14 advantage.The second half of play was all IU.Chappell connected with sophomore tight end Max Dedmond with 8:26 remaining in the 3rd quarter for a 10-point lead. Burgess and Willis each scored on runs of five and two yards, respectively, in the fourth quarter to put the game at 38-14 and out of reach for the Zips.With 35 seconds remaining in the game, Akron quarterback Matt Rodgers ran into the end zone from nine-yards out to make the score 38-21.The victory was the first road win for the Hoosiers since September 29, 2007 against Iowa. “Anytime you go on the road in a hostile environment and quiet their fans, it feels good,” senior safety Austin Thomas said. “Especially headed into Big Ten play, its good to get this win. We’re excited about that.”For more on the Hoosiers' win, see the Hoosier Hype blog.
(09/18/09 3:59am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>With his first career start now under his belt, IU freshman defensive tackle Larry Black said he is ready for another challenge.He will get one at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, when IU faces the Akron Zips at the brand-new InfoCision Stadium.“I can’t wait,” Black said of his debut away game. “This is the first time we get to go on the road and prove ourselves. Being a five-point underdog, we are going in ready to play.”And against Akron (1-1), the Hoosiers (2-0) must come with all they have. Despite losing 31-7 to Penn State in the opening week, the Zips recently dominated Morgan State 41-0. The Akron defense may be an issue for the Hoosiers. Unlike most other college teams, which use a 4-3 scheme, the Zips run a 3-4 set with three defensive lineman and four linebackers. IU junior quarterback Ben Chappell said though Akron’s defensive system is different, the Hoosiers will be fully ready to attack it this weekend. “It changes some protection calls,” Chappell said. “Obviously, there are more guys standing up, so they can bring guys at different angles. But it’s something that we have prepared for this week and will be prepared for on Saturday.” The top defensive player for the Zips is freshman linebacker Brian Wagner, who leads Akron with 18 tackles on the season. He was named the Mid-American Conference East Division Defensive Player of the Week after collecting nine tackles, recording one sack, forcing two fumbles and returning an interception for a touchdown against Morgan State. IU wide receivers coach Billy Lynch said Akron’s defensive style is unique compared to what they have faced this year.“They have speed on the perimeter and are big up front,” Billy Lynch said. “The defense that they play fits them very well, because they can hunker inside with those three big guys and let the other eight guys run around to the football. They are going to be a very good challenge.” Akron’s leader on offense is 6-foot-2-inch senior quarterback Chris Jacquemain. He currently ranks fourth on the Zips’ all-time list for passing yards, completions, touchdowns and pass attempts. In two games, Jacquemain has completed 59.1 percent of his passes for 320 yards, four touchdowns and an interception.Consistency has been the telling stat for Jacquemain this season. Against both Penn State and Morgan State, he threw 22 passes and completed 13. In addition, the total yardage in each game was separated by only four yards – 158 and 162, respectfully.IU senior defensive end Jammie Kirlew said from a defensive standpoint, getting to the quarterback early will be the key to beating the Zips. “He’s pretty mobile, but wanting to pass more than run,” Kirlew said of Jacquemain. “He has a good arm and they have some good receivers, so the defensive line has to do a great job getting pressure. We have to be on top of our game and really be explosive.”
(09/16/09 4:20am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>When IU decided to switch from the traditional spread offense to the pistol – a scheme used to utilize the running backs – sophomore wide receiver Damarlo Belcher was a little bit worried. But having caught 11 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown in the first two games, Belcher now has a different mind-set. “It’s actually pretty nice,” Belcher said. “If we can’t run the ball, we can’t throw the ball.” In total, IU’s four wide receivers have caught 37 passes for 475 yards in two games. What was seen as an offense that would benefit IU running backs has also been fruitful for the receiving corps. Along with Belcher, sophomore wide receiver Tandon Doss and junior wide receiver Terrance Turner have been major contributors to the Hoosiers’ 2-0 start to the season. Doss leads IU in receptions (14), yards (210) and average yards per catch (15). Turner has seven catches for 75 yards, including 57 yards against Eastern Kentucky. Junior wide receiver Mitchell Evans has also made a significant impact for the Hoosiers. Last week against the Western Michigan, Evans lined up behind the center at different points during the game to alter the defense and run and throw the ball. He finished with a total gain of 66 yards.IU wide receivers coach Billy Lynch, son of IU coach Bill Lynch, said the players have responded well to the new system. “It certainly is set up to be able to run the ball, get downhill and gain yards,” Lynch said. “But the other thing that it does, from a receivers standpoint, is that it creates play action. I think our guys are enjoying the chance to get the home-run ball.” All four of IU’s top receivers are averaging more than 10 yards per catch, with Turner being the lowest at 10.7 yards. Each player also has a reception of 20 yards or more this season. And for that deep throw to be completed, a confident and accurate passer is necessary. Junior quarterback Ben Chappell has been up to the challenge this season. Chappell has completed 70 percent of his passes for 511 yards and an efficiency rating of 136.3 – compared to last year’s rating of 111.95 – in the Hoosiers’ first two games. Although Chappell has been accurate in most instances, he has thrown two interceptions and only one touchdown. Nonetheless, he has earned respect from the wide receivers in his first stint as IU’s unquestioned starting quarterback. “He has stepped up a lot,” Doss said. “He still has a rocket, so there is nothing different there, but he is just a better leader.” While the wide receivers are appreciative of an improved quarterback, Chappell said the feeling is mutual. “I think they have played great,” Chappell said. “They have made a ton of plays, caught the ball really well and their yards after the catch has been really impressive as well. We just have to keep doing it.”
(09/14/09 2:58am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>After last week’s close victory against Eastern Kentucky, the biggest question regarding IU was its lack of production on the ground.IU senior running back Demetrius McCray answered that question during the Hoosiers’ 23-19 win against Western Michigan on Saturday.His 134 yards rushing – including a 59-yard scamper down the left sideline for a touchdown in the second quarter – demonstrated why he was named the top running back in the four-player rotation this offseason.“We knew our run game was going to get moving,” McCray said. “We got into a flow, and our offensive line kept doing a great job. I got to the second level and was able to get some good runs in.”But McCray was not the only IU player to make a significant impact rushing the ball against the Broncos. With freshman running back Darius Willis sidelined with an ankle injury, senior running back Bryan Payton made the most of his increased time on the field. Payton carried the ball five times for 29 yards and 5.8 yards per carry – an increase from his 1.2 yard per carry average during last week’s contest.IU junior wide receiver Mitchell Evans also added to the Hoosiers’ ground attack. A former quarterback, Evans lined up behind center at different times and proceeded to rush for 35 yards on six carries. His one pass in the fourth quarter was incomplete to sophomore wide receiver Tandon Doss.In total, the Hoosiers rushed for 187 yards on 33 carries with two touchdowns. The offensive production on the ground against Western Michigan was significantly better than against the Colonels, in which IU averaged only 2.4 yards per carry.McCray said the protection up front contributed greatly to Saturday’s win. “The offensive line did a better job,” McCray said. “I know I was seeing linebackers before I was seeing defensive tackles.” One aspect utilized against the Broncos was Evans’ versatility. The 6-foot, 3-inch receiver had 66 yards of total offense while running, throwing and catching the ball Saturday. When Evans appeared behind center rather than IU junior quarterback Ben Chappell, the Western Michigan defense was forced to quickly alter their scheme.“It’s just something that we looked at this week that we thought could help the offense,” Evans said. “It definitely caught the defense off guard at first. The coaches had enough confidence in me, so I tried to make the most of it.”IU coach Bill Lynch said having Evans in the backfield adds a unique dimension to the offense. “We might not have gotten big yardage, but it’s one more thing the defense on the sideline has to draw up and make adjustments,” Lynch said. “It gave us a little bit of flexibility. That’s the kind of balance we feel like we got to have in our offensive attack.”
(09/11/09 4:24am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Nineteen points might be enough to beat a Football Championship Subdivison opponent, but will that work against Western Michigan, one of the top teams in the Mid American Conference?IU offensive coordinator Matt Canada doesn’t think so.“Offensively, we have to improve at every spot,” Canada said. “We have to run the ball better, throw the ball better, do everything better. We have to make plays when the opportunity presents itself.”And against Eastern Kentucky on Sept. 3, the Hoosiers were unable to accomplish this for all four quarters. IU junior quarterback Ben Chappell was inconsistent at times against the Colonels. Despite completing 16 of 19 passes in the first half for 214 yards with a touchdown and interception, he could not lead his team to any second half points. The running backs did not help Chappell’s cause, either. The four-player rotation earned only 71 yards on the ground – an average of 2.5 yards per carry. For IU coach Bill Lynch, the rushing attack needs to be much more productive on Saturday afternoon.“There are two things with the running game,” Lynch said at a press conference on Wednesday. “Up front, the movement by the defensive line, we didn’t stay with our blocks well enough. The second part of it was with our running backs. There were some seams in there that we didn’t hit.”“Here’s the biggest thing that I’ve said to the team and the staff: ‘all the things that happened are correctable.’”IU will try to showcase its adjustments this weekend when the Hoosiers welcome Western Michigan to Memorial Stadium.Although the Broncos fell to Michigan 31-7 last Saturday, they are coming off of a nine-win season and a Texas Bowl appearance. Western Michigan quarterback Tim Hiller passed for 3,725 yards and 36 touchdowns a year ago and is recognized as one of the top passers in the nation.The Broncos also boast one of the conference’s best running backs in Brandon West. West was a third-team All-MAC selection last season and was Western Michigan’s leader in rushing yards and all-purpose yards.IU defensive coordinator Joe Palcic said while Hiller is very talented, there are ways to contain him.“This quarterback is not going to try to run – he has had a couple of knee surgeries – and is not known to be mobile,” Palcic said. “The key to slowing him down is to get pressure on him. We have to turn our defensive ends loose.”Palcic also said the way to beat Western Michigan is by limiting the “big plays.” He said these include a run more than 15 yards or a pass more than 22 yards and IU gave up seven last game, compared to their goal of two. IU junior cornerback Richard Council said IU will be successful on Saturday if they correct their mistakes. “Our motive this week has been eliminating the big plays,” Council said. “We know we could play a lot better. We are ready to get back this week and prove what this team can really do.”
(09/10/09 5:42am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Having been outscored 208-75 in the second half of its games last season, IU entered Week 1 against Eastern Kentucky with hopes of high scoring in all four quarters.Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, nothing has changed.In their five offensive drives during the final 30 minutes of Thursday’s game, IU began with an interception and followed with four consecutive punts.The result? Zero points. IU junior quarterback Ben Chappell went into halftime 16-19 with 214 yards, but was only 11-17 for 112 yards in the second half. In addition, the Hoosier running backs totaled just 25 total yards over that period.“It’s just a matter of executing,” Chappell said. “There are several little things I think we need to fix. The third quarter, we did not play as well. In the fourth quarter, we moved the ball real well ... But didn’t finish like we needed to.”Although there is room for improvement, IU offensive coordinator Matt Canada said he is pleased with how Chappell performed last Thursday night.“He threw for 75 percent, but just had some critical misses,” Canada said. “He has to take better care of the football, move his feet a little bit better and we have to make those adjustments. You can’t miss those big ones when they are there.” IU had five games in 2008 – Ball State, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Penn State – where they did not score a single point in the second half. The Hoosiers were within eight points of their opponent at halftime in all of those games and did not capitalize in the remaining time. Canada said the game against the Colonels was a different circumstance compared to the previous season.“Last year we had some matchup issues that caught up with us at times,” Canada said. “But make no excuses – this past Saturday we did not make enough plays, we didn’t score points and there were points there to be scored. We have to do a better job.”For the Hoosiers to be successful on Saturday against Western Michigan, they must be able to hang with a high-powered Bronco offense for all four quarters.Western Michigan is a team coming off a nine-win season and a Texas Bowl appearance, despite only scoring seven points against Michigan this past weekend. Their team’s leader is 6-foot-5 senior quarterback Tim Hiller, who threw for 3,725 yards and 36 touchdowns a season ago. IU junior wide receiver Terrance Turner said intelligence is the key to putting points on the board against Western Michigan. “We need to improve on executing and discipline,” Turner said. “Every game we play, it’s going to take four quarters to win. You have to be able to produce in the second half. That’s what we’re working on.”
(09/04/09 5:22am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Eastern Kentucky was supposed to be a good warm-up game for IU to open the season. The Hoosiers got more than they expected Thursday in a 19-13 win against the Colonels at Memorial Stadium.“Anytime you can get a win, I think that is really big,” IU football coach Bill Lynch said. “I thought we did some good things on both sides of the ball. I always felt it is a lot easier to improve after a win than it is after a loss.”Despite an efficient start to the first offensive drive of the season, freshman running back Darius Willis fumbled the ball on the Eastern Kentucky 17-yard line. But just two plays later, senior linebacker Will Patterson got the ball back for the Hoosiers. His sack in the end zone on Eastern Kentucky quarterback Cody Watts with 10:38 remaining in the first quarter put IU on the scoreboard first with a 2-0 lead. On the second drive for the Hoosiers, junior quarterback Ben Chappell took control. Four consecutive completions – including three to sophomore wide receiver Tandon Doss for 49 yards – set up a one-yard touchdown by junior running back Trea Burgess to put IU up 9-0.Though down early, Eastern Kentucky brought the game within two points with 6:17 remaining in the first quarter. Watts threw a strike to wide receiver Garnett Phelps down the left sideline for the score on the third play of the drive.IU added to its total with a 38-yard field goal by freshman kicker Nick Freeland with 13:04 remaining in the half.The next drive for the Hoosiers was all Chappell. He completed three passes for 42 yards to the Eastern Kentucky 38-yard line. Chappell then threw a perfect lob pass into the end zone to sophomore wide receiver Demarlo Belcher for the 19-7 lead. “They didn’t want to come up and press,” Belcher said of the touchdown score. “They were not biting on any of our quick stuff, so we thought we would go deep. They fell for it on the deep post.”A late field goal by the Colonels sent both teams to the locker room with a score of 19-10.The second half was a defensive stalemate. Outside of a successful field goal by Eastern Kentucky with 6:06 remaining in the third quarter, no team was able to put points on the board. The confident-looking Chappell in the first half was nowhere to be seen in the second half. This was most evident on a badly overthrown deep pass that was intercepted by Eastern Kentucky’s Jeremy Caldwell in the end zone. The game-saving play for the Hoosiers came with 11:49 remaining in the fourth quarter. Senior cornerback Ray Fisher stripped Watts of the football with the Colonels driving on the IU five-yard line and down six points. Senior defensive end Jammie Kirlew recovered the fumble to preserve the IU lead.Chappell said although the game ended in a close score, any win is crucial for future success. “Eastern Kentucky played a really good football game and we could have done a few things better,” said Chappell, who threw for 326 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. “But it’s a win. Everyone says the biggest jump is from game one to game two, so we are ready to make that jump.”