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(10/25/00 6:14am)
Junior quarterback Antwaan Randle El reached a few milestones earlier this season, and this week he's receiving another award for his already stuffed trophy case.\nTuesday, for the fifth time in 29 games, Randle El was named the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Week. Monday, he received national player of the week honors from CNN/SI. He was also one of two players mentioned as a Heisman candidate "on fire" in Monday's USA Today.\nRandle El earned the awards for his role in IU's 51-43 victory Saturday against then-No. 22 Minnesota. He broke his own school record with 473 yards of total offense. Randle El carried the ball 27 times for a career-high 210 rushing yards and he completed 12-of-21 passes for 263 yards. He also rushed for two touchdowns and passed for two more.\n"If you're just figuring out that Antwaan Randle El is a great player, you haven't been watching him," Minnesota coach Glen Mason said after Saturday's game.\nRandle El became the the fifth player in Division I-A history and second since 1987 to rush for 200 yards and pass for 200 yards in the same game. Saturday's performance also moved Randle El into 14th place on the NCAA career rushing list for quarterbacks and eighth place on the Big Ten's career yardage list.\n"I'd vote Randle El for the Heisman Trophy," Minnesota defensive tackle John Schlecht said.\nAt his weekly news conference, Coach Cam Cameron said he noticed on the films that Randle El missed two assignments and made two critical errors in more than 80 plays. The two critical errors included a fumble and an interception. \n"A quarterback can play extremely well and make two critical errors and get you beat," Cameron said. "He understands that."\nLast week, Randle El was an afterthought in the Heisman trophy race after gaining a season-low 150 yards of total offense in IU's 58-0 loss Oct. 14 loss at Michigan. \nRandle El was one of IU's team captains who called a team meeting Sunday. He said the meeting was invaluable in helping the Hoosiers rebound against the Golden Gophers.\n"I think we as captains came together, and I think coach Cam let us take over a team and let the captains lead and let everyone else follow," Randle El said after the game.\nRandle El last earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors last November after recording 377 yards and two touchdowns in IU's season-ending loss against Purdue.
(10/25/00 5:42am)
Defensive tackle Paul Mandina, a fifth-year senior, has witnessed many players passing through the IU football program since he arrived in Bloomington, but none like junior quarterback Antwaan Randle El.\nMandina, like everyone else, is aware of Randle El's athletic ability. Mandina also knows it's not just athletic ability that separates Randle El from other players.\n"Yeah, he's a natural athlete," Mandina said, "but the things he does aren't all natural. His work ethic is by far the best on the team. It's impossible to beat his work ethic."\nThere goes the theory that Randle El just magically shows up Saturdays and wows opponents.\n"People think Antwaan has this gift, which he does, but his gift is in his work ethic," Mandina said. "He goes out there week after week and performs. He's amazing."\nEven someone with Randle El's work ethic and athletic ability struggles. In IU's 52-33 loss at Northwestern Oct. 7, Randle El completed just 18 of 39 passes for 152 yards. A week later at Michigan, Randle El had his worst performance of the season, gaining just 150 yards of total offense as the Hoosiers fell 58-0.\nCritics were beginning to ask if Big Ten defenses -- some seeing Randle El for the third time -- had suddenly found a way to stop IU's quarterback.\nBut like any other team leader and great athlete, Randle El stopped the bleeding, and he did it in a big way. Randle El burned Minnesota for a school record 473 yards of total offense Saturday as the Hoosiers snapped their two-game losing streak with a 51-43 victory. \nRandle El recorded solid passing numbers, completing 12 of 21 passes for 263 yards, but he carried the ball more than he threw it. Randle El's rushing numbers were impressive as he gained a career-high 210 yards on 27 carries.\n"To be able to run the ball and make plays the way I did kind of put them in a bind," Randle El said.\nRandle El isn't surprised by some of his highlight-reel runs anymore. But he did admit some of his runs make him smile when he goes back and watches the game film. \nAfter the game, Randle El, who has received much praise since taking over as IU's starting quarterback two years ago, was a popular topic of conversation. \nMinnesota senior defensive end Karon Riley, an All-Big Ten performer who led the conference in sacks last year, forced a Randle El fumble and intercepted a pass. But like most of his teammates, Riley couldn't shut Randle El down. Riley called Randle El the "best player I've every played against in my life."\nWhen he's at his best, which he was Saturday, Randle El makes everyone around him better. Junior running back Levron Williams, Randle El's pitch man when the Hoosiers run the option, gained 134 yards on 20 carries. On a few option plays the Golden Gophers were so focused on Randle El they forgot Williams stood just a few yards away. \n"I find myself watching him," Williams said. "He's exciting to watch"
(10/23/00 5:32am)
The football team's best week of practice this season resulted in IU picking up its biggest win in the coach Cam Cameron era.\nAfter getting embarrassed 58-0 last Saturday at Michigan, IU (3-4, 2-2 in Big Ten play) recovered Saturday to defeat No. 22 Minnesota 51-43 before a Homecoming crowd of 30,882 at Memorial Stadium. The win marked Cameron's first victory against a ranked opponent. IU's last win against a ranked team was a 10-0 victory against Michigan State in 1993.\nA team meeting called by the seniors and captains last Sunday set the tone for an intense week of practice. The Hoosiers practiced at game speed starting Tuesday, and the intensity carried into Saturday's game.\n"It was by far our best week of practice," junior linebacker Justin Smith said. "There were just more serious attitudes this week in practice. It showed up today. They still scored too many points, but it's good to get a win." \nIU's defense once again yielded many points, but unlike previous games, it made big plays. The Hoosiers forced turnovers on consecutive defensive plays with less than eight minutes remaining in the game. Minnesota (5-3, 3-2) was held to field goals in the first half on three drives ending inside the Hoosiers' 10-yard line \n "You wonder why you haven't done it all year long," said senior defensive tackle Paul Mandina. "It kind of takes some motivation like a whooping last week to step and try to play at the next level." \n Junior quarterback Antwaan Randle El recovered from a poor performance at Michigan with one of his best games in an IU uniform. Randle El's 473 yards of total offense set a school record and his 210 rushing yards marked a career-high.\n "He is simply the best player I've ever played against in my life," said Minnesota senior defensive end Karon Riley.\nRandle El made a number of highlight reel runs, but his biggest play of the game came on special teams. With 1:34 remaining, Randle El recovered Minnesota kicker Mike Albert's onside kick, securing the victory. The ball took a high hop after traveling 10 yards, but Randle El made a nice play to scoop it up.\n"I think they wanted to blast the quarterback," Randle El said jokingly when asked about his recovery. "I wanted the ball kicked to me so I could get the ball in one hand and cover it up."\nThe Hoosiers' offense didn't waste much time scoring Saturday. IU's longest drive of the game was its opening drive, which lasted 4:18 and ended on senior wide receiver Versie Gaddis' diving 24-yard touchdown catch in the corner of the end zone. None of IU's other six touchdown drives lasted longer than 2:31 and the Hoosiers had four touchdown drives lasting less than two minutes.\nIU used a balance attack, confusing Minnesota's defense. The Hoosiers accumulated 611 yards of total offense with 366 rushing and 263 passing. Junior running back Levron Williams had his second 100-yard rushing game of the season, gaining 134 yards on 20 carries. Gaddis also had a big day recording 155 yards on six receptions.\nThe Hoosiers lone turnover occurred midway through the fourth quarter. Riley hit Randle El forcing a fumble, which was recovered by Minnesota defensive end Greg White. But IU got the ball back three players later when junior quarterback Sharrod Wallace intercepted a Travis Cole pass.\n"We gave ourselves the opportunity to win this game in the team meeting our seniors called last Sunday," Cameron said. "I wasn't at the meeting, but I tip my hat to those guys. This wasn't about coaching, this was about leadership.\n"They just found a way to do it. We weren't perfect, but we made enough big plays to win"
(10/20/00 6:39am)
Football coaches Cam Cameron, Minnesota's Glen Mason, Purdue's Joe Tiller and Illinois' Ron Turner started with their respective schools in 1997.\nMason, Tiller and Turner have coached their teams to bowl games. Minnesota, Purdue and Illinois finished last season ranked in the top 25. And the Golden Gophers and Boilermakers are in position to contend for a Big Ten title this season.\nCameron has yet to coach a game in December or January and the Hoosiers (2-4, 1-2 Big Ten) need four wins in the season's last five games to qualify for a bowl game. After getting defeated 58-0 at Michigan Saturday, the Hoosiers' bowl chances are slim heading into their Homecoming game against No. 22 Minnesota, at 1 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium.\n"Our goals are very similar to everyone else in this league," Cameron said during this week's Big Ten teleconference. "Your goals are to go to bowl games. Your goal is to win football games and ultimately work in the direction of competing for and winning the Big Ten title. Obviously, we're not getting that done."\n Before the season, the talk surrounding the IU football program centered around qualifying for a bowl game and possibly contending for a Big Ten championship. After six weeks, Cameron and the Hoosiers have talked themselves into a hole.\nCameron was questioned about his future with the program in the news conference following the Michigan game. During the Big Ten teleconference, the national media tried to get Cameron to compare IU's progress the last four years compared to the strides Mason, Tiller and Turner have made.\n"For us to compare, I don't have that kind of time," Cameron said "We've got to focus on what we need to get done. Obviously, we're ... not where we want to be."\nWhen the four coaches entered the league in 1997, it can be argued each program was in equally bad shape.\nIU finished 3-8 in 1996 and 2-9, including 0-8 in the Big Ten the previous year. The poor performances prompted athletics director Clarence Doninger to replace coach Bill Mallory with Cameron after the 1996 season. Cameron has compiled a 12-27 record since being named coach.\nCameron is starting to become a target of criticism for the fans and media. But the players feel the heat should be directed toward them, not Cameron.\n"It's a harsh reality that a lot of people are putting it on Cam and the coaching staff, but flatout, we're the ones on the field who are playing," senior defensive tackle Paul Mandina said. "The coaches are doing all they can, but it falls on us, the players."\nThe mood isn't as gloomy at the the other Big Ten schools with fourth-year coaches.\nTurner survived an 0-11 season his first year in Champaign. Two years later, the Fighting Illini shocked the college football world with a victory at Michigan. Illinois finished the 1999 season with an impressive 63-21 victory against Virginia in the Micronpc.com Bowl. After six games this season, the Fighting Illini are 4-2 and in position to qualify for their second consecutive bowl appearance. Despite Illinois' recent success, Turner said he isn't about to compare programs.\n"People have to talk about something," Turner said of the comparisons. "Are they fair? I don't think so. I think every situation is totally different. Every program is left under different circumstances and at different levels. There's so many variables that come into play."\nTiller has guided Purdue to three bowl appearances in his first three seasons and the Boilermakers (5-2-1) are currently ranked No. 17 in The Associated Press Poll. It wouldn't be surprising if IU's biggest rival was traveling to Pasadena in January.\nWhen Mason took over at Minnesota, the Golden Gophers' last bowl appearance was in 1986. Minnesota had a breakthrough season last year as Mason directed the Golden Gophers' to an 8-4 record and an appearance in the Sun Bowl. A 24-23 upset against then-No. 1 Penn State Nov. 6, 1999 put the Golden Gophers on the Big Ten's radar screen.\nThree years after finishing 3-9, people are starting to mention Minnesota and Rose Bowl in the same sentence.\n"We've been able to deal with adversity, but now can we handle success," Mason asked. "I picked up Sunday's paper and it said 'Gophers smell Roses.' If we believe this, then the Gophers will be smelling like road kill." \nThree years after finishing 2-9, the Hoosiers are searching for a breakout win and their own trip to a warm place in December. While Mason, Turner and Tiller are experiencing success, Cameron is focused on one thing -- his own team.\n"We want to win as soon as possible, but there's no shortcuts to the deal," Cameron said. "The basic foundation of what we're doing, we believe in. We just haven't made the plays. We haven't won the close ball games we should win. That's where my focus is. I have control over my staff, my players. My concern is with that"
(10/18/00 5:50am)
Ten minutes was all it took.\nAfter getting pounded 58-0 at Michigan on ABC regional television and before 110,909 fans, the seniors and leaders of the football team called a meeting Sunday afternoon to discuss the loss. \n"It lasted ten minutes because that's all that needed to be said," senior defensive tackle and co-captain Paul Mandina said. "It was straight, direct and to the point, and we have a good feeling about it."\nHe said he did not want to comment on what was said.\nDealing with adversity is nothing new for the Hoosiers. IU's season started with a fourth quarter meltdown against North Carolina State and a close loss a week later at Kentucky.\nThe Hoosiers (2-4, 1-2 in Big Ten play) were also forced to deal with the death of assistant head coach Pete Schmidt less than three weeks ago. Mandina, along with co-captains, senior wide receiver Versie Gaddis, junior defensive end Kemp Rasmussen and junior quarterback Antwaan Randle El, have had their hands full this season keeping the team together.\n"I don't know how talented we are, but I do think we have character on this team," coach Cam Cameron said. "I think we got leadership, and some things took place on Sunday that were positive."\nA year ago, the Hoosiers were in a similar situation after a 59-0 loss Oct. 16, 1999, at Wisconsin. The Hoosiers managed to bounce back from the defeat, picking up a road victory the next Saturday at Iowa. IU's worst loss in Cameron's four years as head coach was a 62-0 defeat Oct. 25, 1997, at Iowa. \nThe Hoosiers resumed practice Tuesday, but not until after viewing the tape of Saturday's game. Cameron said no IU player played well enough for the Hoosiers to upset the Wolverines. Cameron added that watching the tape proved a difficult experience.\n"A, it's painful. B, you would like to throw it away and not look at it, but it's there," he said. "That is our team. That is the team I coach. That is the team we coach. That is us and to be blind to that fact would be a mistake."\nDespite Saturday's setback, the Hoosiers aren't ready to wave the white flag yet. IU has five games remaining and for any chance of a bowl bid they must win at least four.\n Two of IU's final five games are against No. 22 Minnesota and No. 17 Purdue, who are tied for the Big Ten lead with No. 16 Michigan and No. 25 Northwestern. The Hoosiers' other three opponents, Wisconsin, Penn State and Illinois have a total of three Big Ten victories.\n"We got five games left and we got to play them all," Gaddis said. "You can't quit in the middle of the season"
(10/16/00 6:23am)
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- There's a lot of words that can be used to describe what happened to IU Saturday against No. 18 Michigan.\nThe Hoosiers were destroyed, embarrassed and shutout by a Wolverine team determined to erase last weekend's disappointing loss at Purdue.\nWhatever frustrations the Wolverines' had after their loss to the Boilermakers were let loose in their 58-0 victory against the Hoosiers. And whatever frustrations IU (2-4, 1-2 Big Ten) had after its 52-33 loss at Northwestern only increased after getting hammered on national television and before a Homecoming crowd of 110,909 at Michigan Stadium.\nIn his post game news conference coach Cam Cameron blamed himself for IU's struggles the past two weeks. \n"There's only one guy accountable for that type of performance and that's the guy you're looking at," Cameron said. "I'm not pleased with any thing we've done the last two weeks. Not offensively. Not defensively. Not in the kicking game. That falls right on me and I'm well aware of that."\nThings were so bad Saturday that IU's usually reliable offense was held to a season-low 186 yards by Michigan's defense. Junior quarterback Antwaan Randle El was held to a season-low 134 yards of total offense. The Hoosiers also turned the ball over three times and had punts blocked on consecutive plays.\n"Our early turnovers always killed us and that's kind of what stopped us every time we got going," Randle El said.\nMichigan's balanced offensive attack torched IU's defense for 562 total yards, including 282 yards on the ground and 280 in the air. The Hoosiers are surrendering an average of 544 yards and 47.6 points in their three Big Ten contests.\n"I've been here for four years and it just seems like this is getting to be a routine," junior defensive end Kemp Rasmussen said. "I just have to tell our guys that we've got to find a way to turn this around. We have to stop (asking) what's happening and find a way to win. I don't know how we do it, but we're going to have to find a way somehow."\nAfter holding the Wolverines scoreless for almost seven minutes, Hayden Epstein kicked a 40-yard field to give Michigan a 3-0 lead. IU moved the ball into Michigan territory on the next possession. The Hoosiers drive ended prematurely, when a Randle El pass bounced off sophomore fullback Jeremi Johnson into the hands of Michigan cornerback Todd Howard.\nThe Wolverines took advantage of the turnover as Anthony Thomas scored the first of his three touchdowns on a 7-yard run, increasing Michigan's lead to 10-0.\nFour minutes into the second quarter, wide receiver Marquise Walker blocked freshman Ryan Hamre's punt, recovered the ball and carried the ball for a 41-yard touchdown run, giving the Wolverines 17-0 lead. One play before Walker's block, a kick quick on third-and-45 by Randle El hit junior center Craig Osika on the back.\n"(Osika) got pushed back and it hit him," Randle El said.\nLess than a minute later, Randle El fumbled a handoff to junior running back Levron Williams and Michigan nose tackle Gary Rose recovered the ball on the Hoosiers' 27-yard line. On the next play quarterback Drew Henson completed a touchdown pass over the middle to wide receiver David Terrrell, increasing the lead to 24-0.\nThe Wolverines final score of the half was their most impressive, as Henson wedged a 43-yard pass between senior free safety Johnny Anderson and freshman cornerback Duane Stone into the hands of Terrell for a touchdown.\nMichigan took a 45-0 lead into halftime, with 35 of its points coming in the second quarter. The Wolverines' second quarter total tied the school record for the most points scored in a quarter. \nMichigan's lone touchdown in the second half came on a 6-yard run by Thomas, who led Michigan's ground attack with 98 yards on 15 carries. Henson completed 14 of 18 passes for 232 yards. Henson's two touchdowns were both to Terrell, who finished the game with 101 yards on six receptions. \n"We had a complete effort and played with a lot of intensity," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "We played a complete game and played real physical"
(10/13/00 5:27am)
Anchoring IU's offensive line are two massive tackles who would like nothing more than for coach Cam Cameron to call an inside running play.\n"We will execute what is called, but when we get that chance, we will lineup with you bone-on-bone, man-on-man and see who's the tougher character," said sophomore right tackle Enoch DeMar. "We like that."\nDeMar often gets the best of his exchanges with opposing defenders. At 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, DeMar has the size and athleticism to lineup with any defender in the Big Ten.\nSophomore A.C. Myler, DeMar's tag team partner and IU's starting left tackle, doesn't mind throwing around his 6-foot-4, 327 pound frame for the good of the team.\n"We want to test our manhood every game," Myler said. "We want to see if we can run the ball on you."\nDeMar and Myler have more in common than serving as the bookends on IU's offensive line. \nBoth players are experiencing position changes. DeMar, the lone returning player from last year's offensive line, started 11 games at left guard in 1999. DeMar played tackle in high school, but switched to guard in a high school all-star game.\n"It's a lot different," DeMar said of playing tackle compared to guard. "Tackle is not as active. You're not out there pulling, but when it comes to the passing game it's a real critical position."\nMyler's experience playing tackle is on the defensive side of the ball. In 1999 Myler served as a backup defensive tackle, recording two sacks. Cameron approached Myler about switching to offense before the start of spring practice. Myler played offensive line during his high school career at Detroit Northwestern High School, but never at the collegiate level.\n"High school and college are totally different things," he said. "There are no similarities at all. It's a learning process. I think I'm getting better every day." \nDeMar and Myler are also good at dealing with reporters. Put a tape recorder near either player and they produce more quality sound bites than almost any Big Ten coach. DeMar and Myler are both articulate and seem at ease when talking about the offensive line or any other part of the team. Ask Myler about the problems IU's defense is experiencing this season and he gives a detailed analysis from a former defensive player's perspective.\n"We had some problems last year and I kind of feel for them," he said. "Those guys work hard. A lot of people don't realize how hard those guys work. Those guys are trying to become a good defense and we are going to stick behind them the whole time. We're a team. We are going to need those guys to win."\nThe entire 2000 season has been a learning experience for the offensive line. Joining DeMar and Myler are two freshmen guards, Sione Ohuafi and Anthony Oakley and a center, junior Craig Osika, who started every game last season at tight end.\nWhile the line has experienced growing pains in IU's five games, it has displayed improvement. IU has scored more than 30 points every game and the Hoosiers rank 11th nationally, averaging 38.4 points per contest. It's doubtful any team could score at this rate with a struggling line.\nThe Hoosiers' 33 points in Saturday's loss at Northwestern was IU's lowest total this season. Despite IU's below-average point production, Cameron said three of the five offensive linemen played well enough for IU to win. But Cameron wouldn't say if Myler or DeMar were two of the three.\n"I think our offensive performance wasn't a negative from an offensive line standpoint," Cameron said. \nIU attempted a season-high 47 pass attempts against the Wildcats, which put more pressure on Myler and DeMar to protect junior quarterback Antwaan Randle El. IU's quarterback was sacked twice against the Wildcats, but the Hoosiers have allowed a conference-low four sacks this season.\n"We take it upon ourselves as a unit to protect Antwaan," Myler said. "That's Enoch and my thing. We don't want to see Antwaan getting off the ground. Unless he's running the option, Antwaan doesn't need to be on the ground"
(10/12/00 5:16am)
University of Michigan alumni isn't the only group returning to Ann Arbor, Mich., for Homecoming this weekend.\nWhen the Hoosiers and Wolverines meet at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Michigan Stadium, coach Cam Cameron, several players and two assistants are also returning home.\nIU has 16 players on its roster who played high school football in Michigan. The Hoosiers have more players on their rosters from Michigan than any other state, except Indiana. Ohio ranks third with 12 players on the roster and Florida and Kentucky are tied for fourth with seven.\nCameron started his coaching career as a graduate assistant under legendary Michigan coach Bo Schembechler in 1984. In 1986, Cameron became a full-time assistant, coaching the Wolverines' wide receivers and quarterbacks. He was part of six Big Ten championship teams and two Rose Bowl winners at Michigan.\nDefensive line coach Ted Daisher and outside linebackers coach Dick Flynn also have connections to the state. Daisher graduated from Western Michigan in 1978 and started his coaching career at Kalamazoo Christian High School. Flynn graduated from Michigan State in 1973 and was the head coach at Central Michigan in 1994-99.\nReserve freshman punter Tyson Picken is the lone Hoosier from Ann Arbor. Five players come from Detroit and two from Grand Rapids, while the others come from smaller towns such as Redford, Lansing, Troy, West Bloomfield, Hadley, Plymouth, Redford and Bloomfield Hills.\n"I love to go back to Michigan and play,\" said sophomore left tackle A.C. Myler, who is from Detroit. "It's extra special to go back to Michigan and have a chance to play against some guys I played against in high school."\nUnlike most kids attending high school in Detroit, Myler wasn't a big Michigan or Michigan State fan. Instead, Myler spent much of his childhood in South Carolina rooting for Clemson.\n"I didn't hate Michigan, but they weren't my team," Myler said. "A lot of times I rooted against Michigan because everybody else rooted for them. A lot of my friends are die-hard Michigan fans."\nMyler is one of the three Hoosiers with Michigan connections who will play a significant role Saturday. Junior defensive end Kemp Rasmussen and redshirt freshman linebacker Scott Genord should also see extensive playing time. Genord is normally a reserve, but senior linebacker Joslin Goodman's thumb injury could allow Genord to see more action than normal.\n"I'm looking forward to going home," Rasmussen said. "Two years ago, we were at Michigan and Michigan State. It's a good time. You get to see your family members after the game. You get to have a big fan section."\nWhile many Hoosier players will have their own cheering blocks Saturday, IU is in enemy territory. Whatever noise the Hoosier fans could create might be quickly drowned out by the expected 110,000 Wolverine fans at the "Big House."\nThe Hoosiers managed to play tough against the Wolverines in their last trip to Ann Arbor in 1998, before losing 21-10. That game was also played on Homecoming. Last year, the Wolverines defeated the Hoosiers 34-31 at Memorial Stadium in the final minutes.\n"This is, by far, the best and most-talented team we've played so far this season," Cameron said. "We've got to focus on what we need to do with our ball club."\nA dream day for Rasmussen, Myler, Cameron and the other Hoosiers would include bouncing back from last week's disappointing 52-33 defeat at Northwestern on national television -- Saturday's game is being carried live by ABC -- and upsetting the Wolverines in their own stadium. But the odds are stacked against the Hoosiers. IU has defeated Michigan twice in the teams' last 27 meetings, and IU hasn't won in Ann Arbor since 1967.\n"This is a huge opportunity for us," Rasmussen said. "We played Michigan tough the last two years. I'm expecting to go up there and play them tough again. It's an ABC game against Michigan in the 'Big House.' It doesn't get much tougher than this"
(10/09/00 5:36am)
EVANSTON, Ill. -- If there were any doubts about Northwestern's place atop the Big Ten standings, they were erased Saturday when the Wildcats played IU.\nAnd whatever doubts existed about IU's defense still linger after the Hoosier defense again allowed its opponent to score big.\nJunior tailback Damien Anderson's 292-yards of rushing and the team's 536 yards of total offense led the team to beat IU 52-33 before 30,201 at Ryan Field.\nThe loss drops IU to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten. Northwestern (5-1, 3-0) remained on top of the of the Big Ten with the victory and remains one of the conference's two undefeated teams, along with Ohio State.\n"We just made too many mistakes and kept their drives going," coach Cam Cameron said. "But you got to give Northwestern credit. We knew they were going to be a good football team, and everyone else will find that out like we have."\nNorthwestern's no-huddle, spread offense caused the Hoosiers problems throughout the game, and Saturday was the third time this season IU has allowed more than 40 points. The game marked the second consecutive game the defense has yielded more than 500 yards of total offense.\n"They came at us a little quicker than what I expected," junior defensive end Kemp Rasmussen said. "We were expecting a little slower pace. We knew they ran a no-huddle, but we though they would take more of the 25-second clock."\nNorthwestern gained 417 yards on the ground against an IU defense that allowed just 418 total rushing yards in its previous four games. Anderson, who had three touchdowns and 13 carries of 10 or more yards, did most of the Wildcats' damage.\n"He looked real good today, but some of that was because we didn't do our job," defensive coordinator James Bell said. "We made him look better than he is."\nTurnovers also hurt the Hoosiers. IU lost four fumbles and junior quarterback Antwaan Randle El threw his second interception of the season in the third quarter. Heading into the game, IU was tied for last in the conference in turnover margin.\n"Our turnover ratio is really hurting us," Cameron said.\nFor the first time since last October's game against Michigan, IU failed to score a first-quarter touchdown. Northwestern took a 14-0 lead into the second the quarter. IU's first points came on senior fullback De'Wayne Hogan's nine-yard touchdown run up the middle two minutes into the second quarter.\nLess than a minute after IU got on the board, Anderson broke free for a 73-yard touchdown run, increasing Northwestern's lead to 21-7. \nLater in the quarter, the Hoosiers received a break when Marvin Brown mishandled senior Andy Payne's punt.\nJunior Marcus Floyd recovered the ball on Northwestern's 14-yard line and three plays later IU decreased the gap to 24-14 on freshman Brian Lewis' six-yard touchdown run.\n"There were a couple of points in the game when I was pretty concerned," Northwestern coach Randy Walker said. "And halftime was one of them."\nBut mistakes hurt IU in the second half. \nNorthwestern cornerback Harold Blackmon intercepted a pass intended for senior wide receiver Jerry Dorsey on IU's first drive of the half.\nNorthwestern increased its lead to 31-14 when quarterback Zak Kustok hit Teddy Johnson on a slant pattern for a 50-yard touchdown. Anderson added a 15-yard touchdown run less than four minutes later, giving Northwestern a 24-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.\n"It's hard to play catch-up," said Randle El, who rushed for 80 yards and threw for 165. "We're not in a position to do that. We put ourselves in a really bad situation"
(10/06/00 5:15am)
Each week, there's a new buzz in the world of Big Ten football. Last week, it was the conference office admitting the referees missed some crucial calls in Michigan's victory against Illinois. Two weeks ago, the buzz was Penn State's unlikely1-4 start.\nThis week, it's No. 22 Northwestern's surprising start, and at 11 a.m. Saturday at Ryan Field in Evanston, Ill., IU (2-2, 1-0 Big Ten) gets to experience what the new hype is all about.\nNorthwestern (4-1, 2-0) comes off consecutive road wins at Michigan State and Wisconsin. Both the Badgers and Spartans were ranked in the top 20 when the Wildcats pulled of their two upsets. \nThe Wildcats defeated the then-No. 7 Badgers 47-44 in double-overtime. Northwestern recorded 544 yards -- its highest total in 15 years -- against Wisconsin's defense. \nAfter two weeks of Big Ten play, the Wildcats' two conference victories are twice as many as they had last season. Northwestern has already surpassed last season's overall win total. The Wildcats finished with just three wins in 1999.\n"They're a good football team," sophomore left tackle A.C. Myler said. "It's obvious from the Michigan State game and how they beat Wisconsin." \nThe Wildcats are a difficult opponent to matchup with because of the no-huddle, spread offense they implement. A theme of IU's defense in practice this week has been geared toward countering the no-huddle.\n"We've played no-huddle offenses before," junior linebacker Justin Smith said. "That's definitely going to go into our game plan as far as defense goes. We study game film on that to see how they lineup and when they try to make calls."\nNorthwestern's offense is led by a pair of juniors, quarterback Zak Kustok and running back Damien Anderson. \nKustok, who started seven games last season, is averaging 221 yards per game in total offense, ranking him third in the conference behind Purdue senior quarterback Drew Brees and junior quarterback Antwaan Randle El. Coach Cam Cameron said Kustok's play is a reason for Northwestern's success.\n"You go find a quarterback to go with a nice football team and you become a lot better in a hurry, and that's what they did," Cameron said. "They've found an excellent quarterback and running back."\nThe running back Cameron refers to is Anderson, who is coming off a career-high rushing performance against the Spartans, recording 219 yards on 25 carries. For his efforts, Anderson received Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors. Anderson has already scored nine touchdowns on the ground this season and he ranks fifth nationally, averaging 151.6 rushing yards per game.\n"It's the combination of the no-huddle, the hard play action, the traps and the hard running game that makes it so tough to defend," Michigan State coach Bobby Williams said of Northwestern's offense. \nWhile the Wildcats' offense grabs most of the attention, their defense features one of the Big Ten's top linebacker trios. Juniors Billy Silva, Napoleon Harris and Kevin Bentley are among the league leaders in tacklers. Silva currently leads the Big Ten, averaging 11.2 tackles per game.\nNorthwestern's defense held Michigan State sophomore running back T.J. Duckett to a season-low 71 rushing yards.\n"I'm impressed with Northwestern," Cameron said. "It should be a heck of a ball game"
(10/06/00 5:14am)
That IU football player who burst through Iowa's offensive line with ease last Saturday wasn't a safety. He might have displayed the explosive running ability of a safety, and he certainly had the size of one.\nBut Justin Smith plays linebacker and he lets his performance, not his size, prove he can handle the position. Smith stands 6-foot and said he weighs about 215 pounds, which is smaller than most linebackers in the Big Ten. \n"I personally never thought of weight as a big deal," Smith said. "This summer I got up to 230 pounds, but I'm at the point now where I lost a lot of that weight. My body is just not made to handle all that weight."\nSmith, who started his career at IU as a defensive back, makes up for his lack of size in other areas. He still has the speed of a defensive back, which allows him to make some plays most linebackers can't get to.\n"He's extremely athletic," said sophomore offensive tackle Enoch DeMar, who has blocked Smith in practice. "When he does blitz, we're ready for it, and he gets us ready for the athletic linebackers we will see on other teams." \nSmith is also a cerebral player. He was selected as an academic All-Big Ten performer in 1999 and is an academic All-American candidate this season. When Smith isn't at the Kelley School of Business working toward his degree in business management or practicing with the team, he is a film room junkie and spends countless hours each week studying opponents.\nOne of the biggest challenges IU's defense has faced this season is learning new defensive coordinator James Bell's system. While some players are still learning Bell's system, Smith, who is a quick learner, is beginning to flourish in it.\n"It's a very easy system to learn, especially for the front seven," said Smith, a junior. "Everybody has their one gap to play." \nSmith had no problem playing his gap against Iowa, as he recorded a career-high four sacks during IU's 45-33 win. His sack total was the most for an IU player since Adewale Ogunleye's four against Ohio State in 1997. Smith currently leads the Big Ten in sacks with five and tackles for a loss with nine. He also ranks second on the team with 31 tackles.\n"He's an academic All-Big Ten guy and a potential academic All-American, so he maybe has picked up the system a little faster than some of the other guys," said coach Cam Cameron. \nPrior to the Iowa game, Smith wasn't one of the Big Ten's household names. Despite being one of 70 players nationally named to the Butkus Award Watch List, Smith was rarely mentioned in the same breath as some of the Big Ten's defensive Goliaths. After his performance against the Hawkeyes, which earned Smith Big Ten Defensive-Player of the Week honors, it's unlikely he will remain anonymous to opponents.\n"That's been a couple of weeks in a row he's played well," Cameron said. "Now the challenge comes that a lot of people didn't know about Justin Smith. The challenge he'll find is that there will be an emphasis to try and control him in the ball game."\nSmith said if teams do focus on him it could open things up for some of IU's other defensive players.\n"I've never been put in that position before," Smith said of being a focal point of a blocking scheme. "If teams are going to concentrate on one player, then I'm thinking someone else will come free and they are going to try to compensate for him the next time"
(10/05/00 5:35am)
Football coach Cam Cameron uttered some bashful words about IU's offense after viewing film of the team's 44-point performance against Iowa.\n "I went back and looked at the tape, and offensively again we still don't feel like we've arrived on offense, although we are doing some good things," Cameron said Tuesday at his weekly press conference.\n Cameron isn't the only member of the program who said he feels IU's offense, which is averaging 39.8 points per contest, isn't a completed project.\n"We have a lot of steps to go as far as being consistent and overall improving in every area," sophomore right tackle Enoch DeMar said. "As far as productivity, we're getting the job done, but we need to score more points, and that's our main objective. We're not a finished product yet."\nAfter four games, IU's offense hasn't lacked scoring punch. Statistically, IU is ranked among the top 10 nationally in three major offensive categories:\n• In scoring offense, IU is 10th nationally and leads the Big Ten. The Hoosiers have scored more than 30 points in each of its four games and have recorded more than 40 points the past two weekends against Iowa and Cincinnati. \n• The Hoosiers rank seventh nationally and second in the conference behind Purdue, averaging 477.8 yards per game in total offense.\n• A big chunk of IU's yards have been gained on the ground. IU leads the Big Ten and ranks fifth nationally in rushing offense, averaging 299 yards per game. The Hoosiers average 6.4 yards per rushing play. \nDespite seeing their name among the national leaders, members of the offense said they think there are a number of things they can improve upon.\n"We're not operating at our peak efficiency yet," sophomore left tackle A.C. Myler said. "We made a lot of mistakes. We are very happy with the way we played, but we know there are a lot of things we can do to improve and we're going to work on that."\nSome of IU's early season offensive problems have occurred in the second half of games. IU scored 26 points in the first half against Kentucky Sept. 16, but the offense slowed in the second half, scoring just 12 points in the 41-34 loss.\nThe offense also slowed in the second half of IU's 41-38 loss to North Carolina State Sept. 9. The Hoosiers scored 28 points in the first half against the Wolfpack.\nTurnovers are another problem that has plagued the offense this season. The Hoosiers are tied with Michigan State for the worst turnover margin in the Big Ten. Although IU has turned the ball over just six times, it has forced three turnovers. \nWhen the Hoosiers do finally correct their mistakes, opposing defenses, who already had trouble stopping IU's offense, could be facing an even more difficult task.\n"The good thing about our team is that we're never satisfied with the place we're at," DeMar said. "We see the mistakes out there and they must be corrected for us to go where we want to go as a team"
(10/04/00 6:13am)
A Hoosier football player received an award from the Big Ten Tuesday and his name wasn't Antwaan Randle El.\nJunior linebacker Justin Smith was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his performance during IU's 45-33 victory Saturday against Iowa. Smith recorded four sacks and 13 tackles against the Hawkeyes.\n"I don't want to get a big head about it because you got to focus on who we play this week," Smith said of receiving the honor. "It still feels pretty good."\nCoach Cam Cameron informed Smith of the honor Tuesday morning.\n"The stats showed the way he played," Cameron said after Saturday's game. "He just gets better and better."\nThe 6-foot, 218-pound Smith put relentless pressure on Iowa freshman quarterback Jon Beutjer by blitzing up the middle often in the Hoosiers' victory. When Smith wasn't knocking Beutjer around, he pressured Iowa's quarterback into throwing wild passes.\n"Throughout the game I wasn't thinking about how many sacks I had," Smith said. "When you're in the backfield you should make the sack. I wasn't content with four. I should've had more."\nSmith got off to a fast start, sacking Beutjer for an eight-yard loss on Iowa's second possession. On the play, Smith barreled through Iowa fullback Jeremy Allen's block on his way to Beutjer. \nSmith led an important IU goal line stand at the end of the first half. He sacked Beutjer for a nine yard loss on first-and-goal. Smith charged through Iowa's offensive line on second down, causing Beutjer to throw a wild pass. Two plays later, the Hawkeyes were forced to kick a field goal despite starting the series on IU's five-yard line.\n"I expect that from Justin," junior cornerback Sharrod Wallace said. "He's a good player. He makes plays like that in practice. So plays like that really don't surprise me."\nSmith failed to record a sack in 1999. The four sacks are the most recorded by an IU player since Adewale Ogunleye had the same number against Ohio State, Oct. 18, 1997. Smith, who started his career at IU as a defensive back, leads the Big Ten this season with five sacks. \n"I never thought of it as a big deal because I'm a defensive back, so I would think if I had four picks it would be a lot better," Smith said of the four sacks.\nSmith, a native of Indianapolis and a graduate of Warren Central High School, was one of 70 linebackers named to the Butkus Award Watch List. The Butkus Award is given to college football's top linebacker at the end of the season.\nSmith also leads the conference in "tackles for a loss" with nine and is second on the team in total tackles with 31.
(10/02/00 5:48am)
Assistant football head coach and quarterbacks coach Pete Schmidt passed away Friday in Bloomington after battling lymphoma for almost a year.\nCoach Cam Cameron hired Schmidt, 52, in 1996 after serving as head coach at Albion College from 1983-1996. Schmidt was the first assistant hired by Cameron. Throughout Schmidt's illness, Cameron said he managed to visit him once a day.\n"Pete was a great husband, father, coach and, most importantly, a great man of faith," Cameron said in a statement. "It's not often you get an\nopportunity to hire one of your idols yet I was fortunate to be able to do that four years ago when I hired Pete Schmidt.\n"He will always be an inspirational and motivating force in my life and the lives of others."\nSchmidt planned to sit out the entire 2000 season and Cameron was hoping to have him back next year. In Schmidt's absence Cameron took over the\nplay-calling and duties as quarterbacks coach. Cameron also hired Hal Hunter in March as offensive coordinator/offensive line coach to ease the burden of Schmidt's absence.\nSchmidt directed the IU offense, which averaged 405.9 yards of total offense last season. He is also responsible for training junior quarterback Antwaan Randle El into what sportscasters call one of the most exciting players in college football.\nRandle El has developed under Schmidt's guidance and he needs just 128 rushing yards to become the sixth player in Division I-A history with 4,000 passing and 2,000 rushing yards. Randle El was unavailable for comment Friday.\nSchmidt, a native of Port Austin, Mich. and a graduate of Alma College, started his career as a head coach at Okemos High School in Michigan. From\n1975-81 he led Okemos to six conference titles and three undefeated seasons. He left Okemos in 1982 to become the defensive coordinator for one season before becoming the Britons' head coach.\n"Our state and the coaching profession has lost a great person," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said in a statement. "I know of few people who had as many friends as Pete Schmidt and that's because he's a special man."\nSchmidt is survived by his wife, Becky, and three adult children, Amy, Peter and Sarah.
(09/29/00 5:28am)
There have been classic battles between the two teams in the past and there will be some in the future. But Indiana and Iowa's football programs are only focused on this weekend.\nThe teams open Big Ten play at 6 p.m., Saturday at Memorial Stadium when the Hoosiers and Hawkeyes meet for the 64th time.\nComing into the weekend, IU and Iowa are heading in opposite directions.\nIU (1-2) defeated Cincinnati 42-6 after beginning the season with last-minute losses to North Carolina State and Kentucky. IU dominated all three phases of the game in Saturday's victory. \n"We finally achieved our goal of playing well and we showed other people we can play well," said A.C. Myler, sophomore left tackle. "Now, we just got to play better football and focus every week." \nIowa (0-4) hasn't recorded a victory since defeating Northern Illinois, Sept. 18, 1999, and is struggling in 2000, dropping its first four games to No. 5 Kansas State, Western Michigan, Iowa State and No. 1 Nebraska. The Hawkeyes' schedule is one of the toughest in college football and their four opponents are a combined 13-1. \n"You can build an argument for any type of schedule," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. "You can play easy teams, difficult or a mix. A lot of times the schedule is made so far ahead and you can't do much about it. You play the schedule you're given and go back and reflect on it after the season."\nKansas State, Iowa State and Western Michigan are quality opponents, but the Hawkeyes biggest challenge was last weekend at Nebraska. Not only are the Cornhuskers a serious contender for the National Championship, but they also have some of college football's most passionate fans and 78,070 were in attendance to watch the Cornhuskers play the Hawkeyes.\nIowa battled with Nebraska for a half and trailed,14-13, late in the second quarter. But Nebraska's talent and depth were overwhelming and the Cornhuskers won by a 42-13 margin.\n"Obviously we played a good team, but our football team gave us a good effort," Ferentz said. "We did a lot of good things, but unfortunately not enough to win the ball game. We hung and we battled up until the last four minutes, then we got sloppy." \nAlthough Ferentz isn't in panic mode after the four losses, he is making a major personnel change Saturday against IU. Senior quarterback Scott Mullen, who has thrown for 877 yards this season, is being replaced by red-shirt freshman Jon Beutjer. A week ago Beutjer was the Hawkeyes' third-string quarterback. He has never played a down of college football.\n"What it comes down to is like I've said all long," Ferentz said. "Every decision we make, the first and foremost thought is what gives us the best chance to win this week, and that was the core of our decision."\nThe quarterback switch is surprising, considering Mullen's performance against IU last year. Mullen had a solid performance, completing 36-of-60 passes for 426 yards in the Hawkeyes 38-31 loss.\n"We put a lot of thought into it," Ferentz said of the quarterback change. "But the flip side is, anytime when you're talking about switching personnel, there's no guarantees it's going to pan out."\nDespite Iowa's extended losing streak, slow start and inexperience at quarterback, the Hoosiers aren't looking past the Hawkeyes.\n"This is a team that we are going to have to play extremely well against," IU coach Cam Cameron said. "It's the first game of the Big Ten conference and everyone can see that anything can happen in this league this year"
(09/29/00 5:21am)
The cleats aren't new. The wide receivers and defensive backs aren't given gloves to ease the pain of catching a hard-thrown football. And the meals, well, sometimes there just aren't any.\nWelcome to the world of junior college football.\nTwo years ago, senior free safety Johnny Anderson experienced this lifestyle. Now, he's wearing new cleats, catching passes with soft black gloves, eating massive smorgasbord meals on a regular basis and starting for a Big Ten team.\nNot bad for a guy who was roaming the streets of Fort Pierce, Fla. five years ago.\n"This is a great opportunity for me," Anderson said in regards to attending IU. "I greatly appreciate it and I'm trying to make the most of it, because I know where I've been."\nDuring his days at Westwood High School in Fort Pierce, Anderson said he was in and out of juvenile facilities. Anderson won't comment on what he got into trouble for as a teenager and simply says, "I made some bad decisions in life."\nDespite his problems off the field, Anderson was a standout on the football field at Westwood. For three years, Anderson earned the city of Fort Pierce's defensive-player-of-the-year honors. Anderson's play senior year earned him a spot in the Southern Florida Outback Steakhouse All Star Game.\nAnderson had no interest in attending college after high school. But he did have a passion for football, and this passion eventually landed him 3,100 miles away from home and at the City College of San Francisco.\n"I love football, I love it with all my heart," Anderson said. "I just wanted to try junior college. I turned down the offer I had right out of high school to go to junior college and I sat around for a semester."\nAnderson's love for football persuaded him into calling George Rush, the coach at the CCSF. "I told him, 'I'm sick of sitting around here, I'm not doing anything with my life; will you give me the opportunity?'"\nWithout hesitation, Rush fulfilled Anderson's request.\n"He had interest in coming right after high school and he didn't come," Rush said. "He then called a few months later and said 'Do you remember me?' and he wanted to join the team."\nLike life in Fort Pierce, things weren't easy for Anderson in San Francisco. He was forced to adjust to a new part of the country while paying his own way through junior college. \nBut Anderson did have football. He received Golden Gate Conference player-of-the-year honors in 1998 after tallying 122 tackles and three interceptions. \n"He was a fabulous player," Rush said. "I never had to do anything to get him to play harder. He plays as hard as he can every play. He's very coachable and was always working hard to get better."\nCCSF is a junior-college powerhouse known for producing Division I players. Every year, recruiters flock to the campus to scout CCSF's talent pool. IU tight ends coach Marty Fine traveled to San Francisco in the fall of 1998 to recruit Anderson.\n"I've known Marty Fine for years and I told him, 'If you're looking for a defensive back and in particular a safety, then Johnny is the guy,'" Rush said. \nShortly after Fine's visit, IU offered Anderson a scholarship. Joining Anderson at IU in the spring semester was wide receiver Jerry Dorsey, who also played for CCSF. \n"We were close, but he was always on the other side of the ball wanting to hit me," Dorsey said of his relationship with Anderson at CCSF. \nEvery year, first-time IU players have an opportunity to tell their stories. Coach Cam Cameron said he will never forget the story Anderson told in 1999.\n"He just came here from San Francisco City College," Cameron said. "And he says 'I thank you every time I eat a meal here at our training table. I know all you guys are used to being on scholarship, having all these things that athletes do. You got to realize at junior college you … You go to the game hungry and after the game they don't feed you.'\n"All of a sudden, there was a lot less complaining around our football program." \nAnderson committed to IU in the late fall of 1998. Just before his arrival in Bloomington, Anderson's mother died of a sudden illness, leaving behind two sisters, ages 14 and 17, who are now in Anderson's custody. Anderson, a general studies major, plans on using his degree to help his sisters. \n"I got two younger sisters to support and they're my drive right now," he said. "It will mean a lot to me to get a degree from (IU) and further my education."\nAnderson's sisters have never seen their older brother play in person. One of his goals is finding a way for his sisters to see him play before the season ends.\n"I want to talk to coach Cam to see if anything can be done to get them out here to see me," he said. "I want them to see me play at least my last college game." \nIf his sisters do manage to make the trip to Bloomington they are going to see a lot of their brother. After playing sparingly in 1999, Anderson is now IU's starting free safety and leads the team with 24 tackles. Anderson also plays special teams, and last weekend against Cincinnati he recorded IU's first punt block since 1996.\nRegardless of what happens on the field the remainder of the season, Anderson has come a long way from his days at Fort Pierce.\n"Johnny Anderson has overcome a lot," Cameron said. "I think that's why he plays the way he plays. It's been hard and he appreciates what Indiana University is doing for him and we appreciate what he's doing for us"
(09/27/00 4:32am)
The football team is second in the Big Ten in total offense and scoring offense. That's not surprising at first glance.\nA case can be made for IU having the most skill on the offensive side of the ball in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers feature the conference's best duo of fullbacks (senior De'Wayne Hogan and sophomore Jeremi Johnson), an explosive tailback (junior Levron Williams) three big-play wide receivers (seniors Versie Gaddis, Derin Graham and Jerry Dorsey) and a human highlight film of a quarterback (junior Antwaan Randle El). \nBut those who know football realize offensive success starts up front with the big guys. And heading into the 2000 season, one of IU's biggest question marks was its offensive line.\nAfter three games, the line hasn't been drop-dead awesome, but it has played well enough for the Hoosiers (1-2) to average 38 points a contest. \n"We're getting better and that's been our goal all year," sophomore left tackle A.C. Myler said. \nHeading into the season, sophomore right tackle Enoch DeMar was the only player with collegiate experience as an offensive lineman. There was some experience on the line, but the problem was the game-tested players had experience at other positions. \nMyler played as a defensive lineman and junior center Craig Osika was the Hoosiers' starting tight-end in 1999. IU's other two guards, freshmen Sione Ohuafi and Anthony Oakley, saw no action last season.\n"I told you we are going to be good and we are still going to be good," Myler said. "We are going to be good really soon. I like the progress we're making."\nAfter the Hoosiers first three games against North Carolina State, Kentucky and Cincinnati, the line has allowed a conference-low three sacks.\n"We haven't arrived on the line because I don't think we've been tested," coach Cam Cameron said. "We've seen some undersized fronts that moved with some angles."\nThe offensive line will be tested Saturday when IU begins Big Ten play against Iowa (0-4). The Hawkeyes (0-4) battled with No. 1 Nebraska, trailing just 14-13 in the second quarter before falling 42-13. All four starting defensive linemen for the Hawkeyes weigh more than 260 pounds and are taller than 6-foot-2.\n"It's the Big Ten, and there's no joking about it, they're a physical team," Myler said. "Nebraska is a physical team, but Iowa played physical with them. They're going to play physical with us"
(09/26/00 5:42pm)
They scored in bunches. They made big plays on special teams. And most importantly, they stopped the opponent from scoring.\nThe football team used one of its best all-around performances since coach Cam Cameron's arrival to defeat Cincinnati 42-6 Saturday in front of a crowd of 30,075 at Memorial Stadium. The victory improved the Hoosiers record to 1-2, heading into next weekend's Big Ten opener against Iowa.\n"We are two plays from being 2-0 coming into this game," Cameron said. "So we just said 'Hey we are going to do exactly what we have been doing and try to get better.'"\nAll of Cincinnati's points were scored on two Jonathon Ruffin field goals in the first half. Saturday marked the first time since a 23-6 victory against Illinois Nov. 1, 1997, that IU didn't surrender a touchdown. Before to Saturday's game, the Hoosiers were allowing 41 points per contest in 2000.\nCameron and defensive coordinator James Bell inserted 21 different defensive players into the game. Including special teams players, 26 Hoosiers either recorded a tackle or assisted on one.\n"This thing is starting to come around just like I thought it would," senior defensive tackle Paul Mandina said of team defense. "Cincinnati is a really good football team, and we knew we were going to be in for a physical battle. So when you come up and have that kind of score against that caliber of team, it's really rewarding." \nThe offense once again had little trouble putting points on the board. The Hoosiers scored touchdowns on their first four drives. IU is averaging 38 points per game in its three contests.\nUnlike its previous games against Kentucky and North Carolina State, IU managed to carry its offensive momentum into the second half.\n"Well, I just wrote the number three on the blackboard for our offense; we scored three points in the third quarter combined in the first two games," Cameron said. "So, we challenged our offense and defensively kept them out of the end zone."\nIU used a balanced offensive attack, rushing for 299 yards and passing for 221 more. Junior quarterback Antwaan Randle El improved upon what he said he considered a subpar performance last weekend at Kentucky, passing for 214 yards and rushing for 47 against Cincinnati. \nRandle El completed 9-of-16 passes and added three touchdowns, two on the ground and one through the air. Senior wide receiver Jerry Dorsey caught three passes for 125 yards. Dorsey caught a 50-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and made a 53-yard reception in the fourth quarter, setting-up another IU score.\nRandle El's lone blunder occurred with less than a minute remaining in the first half when Bearcat free safety Antonio Davis intercepted a pass. The interception was Randle El's first in 33 quarters, dating back to last November's game against Minnesota. \n"I just know how to come out and play my game and not worry about last week," Randle El said. "It took me awhile to get over Kentucky. I just had to regroup and we came out and played well."\nJunior tailback Levron Williams gained 119 yards on 11 carries and scored two touchdowns. One of Williams' touchdowns was on a 7-yard option left play a little more than two minutes into the game. Senior fullback De'Wayne Hogan blockedCincinnati strong safety Gerry Ruff, clearing the path for Williams.\nBearcat senior quarterback Deontey Kenner left the game with an abdominal strain on the first play of the third quarter, which added to Cincinnati's woes. Without Kenner, Cincinnati's offense sputtered, gaining just 121 yards in the half.\nIU free safety senior Johnny Anderson blocked Adam Wulfeck's punt in third quarter and senior running back Glynn Johnson recovered the ball on the Bearcats' 24-yard line. Six plays later, Williams scored on a one-yard run.\nAnderson's block was the Hoosiers first since Nathan Davis blocked one Nov. 23, 1996 against Purdue.\n"We worked on (blocking punts) the whole week," Anderson said. "I just kept believing that we would get one, and we got one"
(09/22/00 5:28am)
Kentucky's Brandon Sanders boots a kickoff high into the lights at Commonwealth Stadium.\nThe ball sails to the 13-yard line where IU junior Derin Graham catches it and instinctively runs full speed down the middle of the field.\nHe reaches the 20-yard line where he's greeted by a horde of Kentucky tacklers. Without fear, Graham jumps into the pile. He spins twice, and then, amazingly, Graham balances himself with one hand, breaking free from the pile. \n Now, it's a sprint to the endzone. Graham uses his blazing speed to avoid tacklers. Graham is finally dragged down at the Kentucky one-yard line. Junior Antwaan Randle El scores on a quarterback keeper the next play, giving IU a 25-14 lead midway through the second quarter against a dangerous opponent on the road.\n"I just jumped and went into (the pile), hoping something would happen," Graham said. "It's just instinct. It just happened. I was amazed I went through (the pile), and I tried to get to the endzone as fast as I can."\nIU went on to lose the game 41-34, but it wasn't because Graham didn't do his part. He recorded 144 yards on four kickoff returns and added 41 receiving yards on three catches.\nGraham's return against the Wildcats is already making its way into highlight reels. \nHow many times has a player jumped into a pile on a kickoff return, only to reappear two seconds later with nobody near him?\n"On the kickoff return I was thinking 'Great job -- he didn't fumble or anything,'" senior wide receiver and Graham's roommate Versie Gaddis said. "But then he came out of the pack and it was one of the most amazing runs I've seen in my life. It's probably one of the greatest kickoff returns you'll ever see."\nSome of the fans who watched the IU/Kentucky game on ESPN2 last Saturday might remember Graham as the player who made the amazing kickoff return. But Graham has meant more to the Hoosiers than one play. \nGraham leads the Big Ten in kickoff return yardage with 291 yards in two games. The next player on the list is Iowa's Kahlil Hill, who trails Graham by 110 yards. IU's kickoff return specialist also leads the conference, averaging 32.3 yards per return, which is also good for sixth in the nation.\nReturning kickoffs for big yardage is nothing new for Graham. He's in his third season as IU's kick return specialist. Graham has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in his career, including one for 100 yards against Wisconsin, Oct. 3, 1998. The return tied an IU record set in 1915 by Freal McIntosh.\n"When I go into a game I feel I can run a kick back every game," Graham said. "I think that's a big part of my game and making plays is a big part of special teams. I just take that upon myself and I know my teammates are going to help out."\nIn addition to the return against Kentucky, Graham made a big return in the season opener against North Carolina State. With less than one minute remaining and the Hoosiers trailing by three points, Graham busted a 54-yard return down the left side of the field. Graham's return resulted in IU starting its final drive at the North Carolina State 44-yard line. \n"He takes a lot of pride in being a return man," Gaddis said. "He really enjoys the kickoff and punt return. Last year he didn't get that many opportunities because they kicked it away from him. Early in the season he's trying to take advantage of those opportunities."\nWhen he's not returning kicks or punts, Graham is IU's third receiver. After catching just one pass for eight yards against North Carolina State, Graham had more opportunities against Kentucky, catching three passes for 41 yards. Graham's return was the "Play of the Game" against the Wildcats, but he also made a drive-saving, 12-yard reception on a third-down play in the third quarter.\n"He's done an excellent job," coach Cam Cameron said. "He's improved as a returner, and he's improved as a receiver. Now he just needs to continue doing that for the next nine weeks"
(09/22/00 5:25am)
Three weeks, three dangerous offenses and three talented quarterbacks.\nThis isn't the ideal situation for the football team to break in new defensive coordinator James Bell's system. \nIn week one, the Hoosiers faced a North Carolina State offense featuring 18-year-old freshman quarterback Philip Rivers, who played well beyond his years in the Wolfpack's 41-38 victory.\nIn week two, IU fell, 41-34, to a Kentucky team featuring coach Hal Mumme's confusing offensive system and strong-armed freshman quarterback Jared Lorenzen.\nThis weekend things won't get any easier for the Hoosiers (0-2) as they face Cincinnati at 1 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The Bearcats' offense is led by senior Deontey Kenner, a 6-foot-2 quarterback with a dangerous arm and scrambling ability.\nMaking the Bearcats even more dangerous is the fact they're a week removed from a narrow 28-25 overtime loss at No. 4 Wisconsin.\n"Cincinnati is as good or better than both the teams we've already played," IU coach Cam Cameron said. "A play here, a play there and they're probably sitting here undefeated and ranked in the top 20 to 25."\nThe Bearcats were on the brink of upsetting Wisconsin in Madison last Saturday. Cincinnati (2-1) led the Badgers, 22-16, with less than 10 minutes remaining and 25-22 after the first possession of overtime. Wisconsin answered Cincinnati kicker Jason Mammarelli's overtime field goal with a 16-yard touchdown run.\n"We had the opportunity to win a road game against the No. 4 ranked team in the country, out of the Big Ten, in a hostile environment and we let it slip away," Cincinnati coach Rick Minter said. "We have no one to blame, but ourselves."\nPrior to the Wisconsin game, the Bearcats defeated Syracuse 12-10 on Mammarelli's last-second, 47-yard field goal.\nJust like the Bearcats, the Hoosiers are also accustomed to playing in close games. Both of IU's defeats almost ended on the final play. Against Kentucky junior quarterback Antwaan Randle El's pass to senior wide receiver Versie Gaddis on a 4th-and-13 play with less than a minute remaining fell just inches short. A week earlier in the loss to N.C. State, senior kicker Andy Payne's last-second field goal was blocked.\n "We know for a fact we are a good team and can be a great team," senior wide receiver Derin Graham said. "It's just a couple of plays that have kept us from being 2-0 right now."\nThere's a good chance Saturday's game could be decided in the final minutes. There's also a good chance both teams will score often.\nIU's defense is yielding 41 points per game. The defense showed signs of improvement last week and 14 of Kentucky's points were a result of IU turnovers. The defense came up big toward the end of the game, stopping Kentucky on three consecutive plays to force a punt late in the fourth quarter.\n"We know we can stop teams," sophomore strong safety Ron Bethel said. "We already got that in our heads. Even when they make big plays we know we can stop them."\nOne difficult task against the Bearcats will be containing Deontey Kenner, who ranks in the top three all-time in almost every Cincinnati passing category. The three-year starter passed for 238 yards against Wisconsin and added 40 more on the ground.\n"I am real happy with our situation on offense," Minter said. "Personnel-wise, our guys get the job done. Deontey Kenner is a winner." \nHelping Kenner on offense are a number of quality skilled position players, including wide receiver Antonio Chatman, fullback Ray Jackson and running back DeMarco McCleskey. Jackson, a Michigan transfer, rushed for 108 yards in the Bearcats 23-17 victory against Army Sept. 4.\n"They've got a good offense and Kenner is an excellent quarterback," Cameron said. "They've got some skill with him."\nIU also has no shortage of skill on offense. The Hoosiers are second in the Big Ten in scoring offense, averaging 36 points per game. IU is also third in total yardage, averaging 425.5 yards.\nJust like Kenner, Randle El is a multi-dimensional quarterback. He is second in the Big Ten in total offense, accounting for 273.5 yards per game. He is also seventh in rushing, averaging 71 yards per contest.\n"I believe the key to our defense this week," Minter said, "will be Antwaan Randle El and his containment"