Football

Ball State receiver, Love 'improving'

MUNCIE – Ball State receiver Dante Love has made great progress in his recovery from a career-ending spinal injury and might be released from a rehabilitation center this week, coach Brady Hoke said.Love, who took a head-on hit during the Cardinals’ 42-20 win against IU on Sept. 20, underwent surgery one day after the game.

Time to see more of Chappell

Offense falls short in 16-7 loss this weekend

MINNEAPOLIS – Converting on only one of 10 third downs and recording just a single score, the IU football team’s offense sputtered to a 16-7 defeat on the road at Minnesota. The loss shoots IU’s record below .500 at 2-3, and marks the team’s second straight Big Ten loss to open conference play at 0-2.

Frustrated: Football team falters on 3rd downs in loss to Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS – Coming into Saturday’s matchup against Minnesota, it looked as though the IU football team’s offense might be able to score big against the host Golden Gophers.The Hoosiers (2-3, 0-2) came into Saturday’s game ranked second in the conference in both total offense and rushing offense.By contrast, Minnesota entered the contest ranked ninth in both total defense and rushing defense. Statistics aren’t always what they appear to be.Despite the difference in rankings, the Gophers prevailed to defeat the Hoosiers, 16-7.In the first half, the Hoosiers only held the ball for 9:27, and out of their seven possessions in that frame, the visitors from Bloomington went three-and-out four times, and none lasted more than three plays.As a result, the Hoosiers were limited to 17 first-half plays as opposed to the 40 plays the Golden Gophers ran.

Who will be Mr. October?

Metrodome notoriously unkind to visiting Hoosiers

The last time the IU football team knocked off the Minnesota Golden Gophers in Minneapolis, the price of a gallon of gas was about $1.08. Now at .500 through four games, IU faces Minnesota, who “is a good football team and a much-improved football team from a year ago,” said IU coach Bill Lynch. IU pummeled Minnesota 40-20 at Memorial Stadium last season, but this weekend, the team plays in Minneapolis, a place where the Hoosiers haven’t won in 15 years. This time around, there could be some fresh faces taking the field for the Cream and Crimson.

Memorial Stadium ain’t so memorial

Hoosiers give up 42 in loss to Michigan State

For the second straight week the Hoosiers let up 42 points, and for the second straight week, they lost. Instead of Michigan State dealing the final blow of the game it was IU who did itself in their 42-29 defeat.With 1:39 left in the third quarter, backup quarterback Ben Chappell connected with sophomore wideout Terrance Turner for a 97-yard touchdown strike. The play made both the Michigan State and Hoosier crowds stand up and cheer. The Hoosier crowd was happy because of the touchdown, the Spartans because there was a little yellow piece of cloth 108 behind Turner’s touchdown celebration.

Thigpen shines in Hoosier defeat at the hands of the Spartans

For the second straight week the Hoosiers let up 42 points, and for the second straight week, they lost.

The ring-er of fire, he burns, burns, burns

Coach Lynch, the ball is in your hands

Pair of Spartans excelling heading into game with IU

If Javon Ringer has done as much as any runner in the country this season, Michigan State teammate Otis Wiley has been just as dominant at defensive back.

Ball State wide receiver injury undergoes surgery on spine

UPDATE (1:50 p.m.): Ball State wide receiver Dante Love underwent an approximately five hour long surgery in Indianapolis Saturday night into Sunday morning, according to a press release."Dante Love suffered a cervical spinal chord injury fracture which required surgery to stabalize the fracture," said Ball State team physician and orthopedic surgeon Jay Matchett in the statement. "He is currently moving all four extremities."

Ball State wide receiver leaves game on stretcher

Memorial Stadium hit its loudest decibel level of the game midway through the second quarter. The IU football team had just had a huge momentum swing, when freshman corner Chris Adkins jarred the ball loose from Cardinal standout wide receiver Dante Love, and the ball was returned for a touchdown, pulling the Hoosiers within a two points at 14-12. But silence instantly overcame the crowd when it became apparent Love hadn’t been moving since the hit.

Ball State bout will provide answers

This certainly isn’t the game for trial and error. No implementation of new arrangements, formations or schemes – nothing out of the ordinary. Look, it’s not like IU is dealing with Western Kentucky or Murray State.

State’s top QBs face off at Rock

Now the season really begins. Relatively untested in their two wins against Western Kentucky (31-13) and Murray State (45-3), the Hoosiers clash with IU coach Bill Lynch’s former team – Ball State. The Cardinals (3-0) have cruised in similar fashion and come into Memorial Stadium on Saturday as a recognized threat.

Safety's status questionable for Ball State game

Three days remain before the IU football team takes on its first real test of the season. So at practice Tuesday, all was back to normal after the team’s bye week, except for one noticeable absence.

IU’s Mitch of all trades

Unlike some members of the IU football team, Mitchell Evans is not an outspoken personality. He just plays the game –  wherever that may be. For the last two years, Evans has essentially played the role of utility man for the Hoosiers, the man who can do just near anything when it comes to football. “He is such a good athlete, you can move him around anywhere on the field wherever your team needs him,” senior wide receiver Andrew Means said. And move him is just what the Hoosiers have done.

Ball State boasts all-purpose wide receiver

MUNCIE – Ball State’s offensive game plan is simple and effective. All the Cardinals have to do, it seems, is get the ball to Dante Love.

No decision yet on redshirt for Willis, other freshmen

The first and second teams, including quarterbacks Kellen Lewis and Ben Chappell, respectively, continued taking equal snaps in the Hoosiers’ practice on Tuesday. The only thing different from past weeks’ practices was that the players were in shells – shoulder pads, helmets and shorts.