Sports

Big Ten has bigger problems than Pizza Express

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.

4-star recruit commits to IU Tuesday night

High school senior Christian Watford, one of the best small forwards in the country, has committed to play for the IU men’s basketball team starting next season.

Watford commits

Four-star recruit Christian Watford confirmed Tuesday night that he gave IU men's basketball coach Tom Crean a verbal commitment to play for IU following his graduation from high school in 2009. Watford becomes the fifth 2009 recruit to give the Hoosiers a verbal, and the fourth since Crean became head coach.

Keeper nabs weekly Big Ten honor after 2-win weekend

The IU field hockey team’s sophomore goalkeeper Alex Mann picked up Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week after allowing just one goal during two games in Missouri last weekend, according to a press release. Mann recorded five saves in a shutout victory against Saint Louis, the most saves in a single game by a Hoosier this year. She has 13 saves this season, good for just more than three a game.

Johnson thinking in 3s

Sure, this weekend marked the opening game for the NFL, but it was NASCAR that was in the forefront of my mind on Sunday. With the Chase for the Sprint Cup set to begin next weekend in New Hampshire, there is one driver who sticks out in my mind as the favorite to win the Cup, and you won’t find his name on a beer can. I’m talking about Jimmie Johnson. I know Kyle Busch has basically dominated the field this season, and Carl Edwards has been a consistent winner, but I have a feeling Jimmie has no intention of giving up his title without a fight.

Crean headed to Alabama to pursue 4-star recruit

High school juniors and class of 2010 basketball recruits Lavonte Dority, Lenzelle Smith, Jr. and Alex Gauna were among a handful of recruits on campus Saturday for unofficial visits with the IU men’s basketball team.

A legend in his time, an inspiration in ours

During a pole vault career that spanned from his collegiate days at IU in the 1980s through the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Dave Volz used a technique so effective it is now banned in track and field. The move, now known as “Volzing,” allowed the vaulter to push the bar with their hand, preventing it from falling as the athlete sailed over it. Sixteen years ago, Volz placed fifth in the pole vault in the Olympics. Now, he’s back at IU, volunteering his time to coach pole vaulters on the IU men’s and women’s track and field teams.

For Jeremiah Rivers, it’s about practice

If basketball experience were Behr Pottery Red, Jeremiah Rivers could paint a house. Seriously, the kid has pretty much seen it all. He’s played in a Final Four. He’s been a part of two of the most storied college basketball programs in history. His dad just won an NBA title in a town that breeds hard-court legends. It’s translating cleanly.

Erica Short named Big Ten Player of the Week

After a record-setting weekend that where she notched 61 kills, 24 of them in a single match — an IU record — senior middle blocker and co-captain Erica Short was named Big Ten Player of the Week, according to a press release. Short’s performance, coupled with those of fellow co-captain Juli Pierce and sophomore teammate Ashley Benson, helped lead the IU volleyball team to a 3-0 weekend and first place in the Adidas Classic at Assembly Hall. Benson and Pierce were both named to the all-tournament team, while Short was named tournament MVP.

Astana team: No plans for Lance to ride with us

Lance Armstrong’s reported comeback won’t take place with the Astana cycling team. “He is no part of our team,” Astana team press officer Philippe Maertens told The Associated Press in an e-mail. “Team Astana has no plans with him.”

Count your blessings, fans of the horse

Breathe out, Colts fans: A bursa sac can’t sack Peyton Manning. The face of the franchise started the Colts’ season opener Sunday night after missing the entire preseason, recovering from surgery that removed an infected bursa sac from his left knee. And the Sorgi family weeps

Senior leads IU to tournament title

Despite her name, there was nothing short about Erica Short’s performance in the adidas Classic this weekend at Assembly Hall. The senior middle blocker and co-captain was named tournament MVP after recording 61 kills during the weekend, including an IU-record 24 in the Friday match against Valparaiso. Short said the record was a great accomplishment but was quick to credit her team as well.

IU grabs 2 wins despite injury

What started with a setback when sophomore standout Brenna Moeljadi fractured her femur ended on a high note as the IU field hockey team extended its winning streak to three games with two wins this weekend in Missouri. The Hoosiers (3-1) beat Missouri State 5-1 Saturday and left Saint Louis scoreless on Sunday, as they tallied four goals. IU coach Amy Robertson was proud of the wins, as well as how her team reacted to the setback.

IU ties, loses at Mike Berticelli Tournament

The IU men’s soccer team hoped to leave the Mike Berticelli Tournament in South Bend this weekend with continued confidence defensively and a solution to its lack of scoring. Neither happened. The Hoosiers lost 4-0 to Dartmouth on Sunday after tying No. 5 South Florida 0-0 Friday night.

Cal Poly douses Hoosiers’ hope at 3rd straight Classic crown

The women’s soccer team entered this weekend’s Hoosier Classic looking to take its third consecutive title in the event. Friday night the Hoosiers (2-3-0) defeated Vermont 5-0, with five different players scoring. The Hoosiers totaled 30 shots, putting half of those on goal. One of those scorers for the Hoosiers was freshman Darby Hannon, who scored her first career goal off a rebound shot from junior Christie Kotynski.

Taking the week off

Two weeks into the season and the Hoosiers already get a break. After running roughshod over its first two opponents, IU gets to rest up an extra week for Ball State with a bye week. Though the Hoosiers could make excuses about the week being too early, IU coach Bill Lynch tried to turn it into a positive.

Hoosiers tune up with easy early schedule

IU has been dominant to start its season. No one following the Hoosiers could possibly argue against that statement. To open their season, the Cream and Crimson rolled over Western Kentucky and Murray State. IU has put together 926 yards of offense, scoring 76 points in its eight quarters of play in 2008 thus far – its two visitors’ combined for 431 yards and 16 points.But the Hilltoppers and Racers are part of the reason the Hoosiers’ overall schedule this season was ranked as one of the easiest in the Football Bowl Subdivision, according to various publications. SLIDE SHOW: IU vs. Murray State

Running backs, where have you been?

Ever since IU quarterback Kellen Lewis has conducted the offensive orchestra, the running back solos have been mute. When Lewis ventured onto the field at Memorial Stadium as a redshirt freshman in 2006, the Hoosiers’ coaching staff instantly became zealots of his jaw-dropping, dual-threat game.

Indianapolis can’t open Lucas Oil with a win

If this is what life in Lucas Oil Stadium is like, the Colts might want to move back to the RCA Dome. Indianapolis christened its $720-million stadium with a 29-13 Opening Day loss to the Chicago Bears — Indy’s first loss in September or October since 2004 when it lost 27-24 in its season opener against the New England Patriots. The Colts, favored by more than a touchdown, never led by more than three points and trailed the Bears for most of the game