Football

Lynch revamping public image

Like most coaches, IU football coach Bill Lynch casts a tame poker face during the most uncomfortable situations.

Senior makes switch to cornerback to help team

Last year, senior Ray Fisher caught passes from quarterbacks Kellen Lewis and Ben Chappell. This spring he is trying to intercept them. Fisher switched from wide receiver to cornerback to help the football team’s defense, which ranked near the bottom of the Big Ten in most defensive categories last year.

Spring Game is only a glimpse, that’s it

Whether you’re a critic, a fan or a love-to-hate sports columnist, don’t don the John Madden costume when analyzing IU’s spring football game.

Running backs shine in spring game

IU coach Bill Lynch stressed  last week the importance of an improved rushing attack. The Hoosiers’ renewed emphasis on the backfield was evident Saturday afternoon, as Demetrius McCray and Darius Willis led the Crimson team to a 28-27 win in the Spring Game.

IU takes the field in annual intra-squad Spring Game

The Spring Game, which is slated for 2 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium, will mark the end of the offseason practice schedule for the Hoosiers. The IU men’s basketball team will sign autographs at the event from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Offense will look new, but so will defense

Last season, IU suffered the injury bug so bad, it was almost OK to use it as an excuse for the disappointing 3-9 record. Not this year, though – not with this rigorous schedule that boasts many bowl teams. The Hoosiers’ defense must step up even more than the offense.

Hoosiers display improvement

Moving junior Ben Chappell to the primary quarterback position this spring seemed to be working well. 

Star football player tries his hand at film

Senior defensive end Jammie Kirlew, last season’s team MVP, said he likes doing things people don’t expect him to do and setting an example for others.

IU has many changes heading into its spring scrimmage

The loss of No. 1 running back Marcus Thigpen, an unsettled quarterback situation and the movement of Ray Fisher, one of last year’s most productive wide receivers, to corner back all have the IU offense in flux.

Pistol offense excels at spring scrimmage

If IU has any shot to beat any conference foes in its challenging schedule, Chappell, Lewis and Payton must set the tone early and take control when things go into disarray. Don’t be alarmed if you see the ball in their hands when the game is on the line, either.

Lynch vows to make offense more productive

IU coach Bill Lynch vows to improve the Hoosier offense. Among his new implementations, Lynch said  the Hoosiers must gain respect in its running game. Bolstering the backfield attack will alleviate a lot of pressure off quarterbacks Kellen Lewis and Ben Chappell.

Jordan Marquette signs with IU

IU announced March 17 that Jordan Marquette has signed a National Letter of Intent and will play football for the Hoosiers in the fall.

Brown’s attitude deserves recognition

Brown is the epitome of the blue-collar football player. He brings his lunch pail to every game and does everything in his power to help the team win. Taunting is not in his vocabulary.

Ready to rebuild, take two

Jammie Kirlew was lost for words. And to be honest, I felt for the Hoosier defensive end. I really did.

A LOOK AT THE ROCK: Glass and I agree: Keep Lynch

IU suffers worst loss to Purdue in more than a century

With more than nine seconds remaining the game, IU made its first defensive stop of the day. In the 84th annual battle for the Old Oaken Bucket, IU was dominated in every facet of football en route to a 62-10 pounding. The Hoosiers managed just 214 total yards as their defense let up 596.

IU-Purdue rivalry more than just a game

Coming to the end

One year ago, senior Austin Starr was Bloomington’s hero. Back then, Hoosiers everywhere rejoiced when the then-junior sent a 49-yard field goal through the uprights in the season’s penultimate moment. His celebrated kick sent the Hoosiers to their first bowl berth since 1993 and seemingly revitalized the program. But now, in a downtrodden year marked by disappointment, Starr and his team have sunk back to the bottom of the Big Ten. But they’ll get one last shot at redemption Saturday. “It is kind of surreal, but it hasn’t gone too fast,” Starr said, reflecting on his upcoming final game. “I’ve been taking it in.” Injuries and inconsistencies have plagued the 2008 Hoosiers, and Starr is no exception. A nagging hip injury prohibited him from putting up the same performance throughout his senior campaign that he displayed as a junior. A year ago, Starr kicked 21-of-23 field goals, hit all 48 extra points and, at one point, nailed 15 field goals in a row.

IU's lame second half leads to Penn State rout

STATE COLLEGE, PENN. – It was a different week for the IU football team, but it was the same story as had been reported after seven of their 10 games this season.

What I know and what I think