READY FOR BATTLE
After coming away with an upset victory versus then-No. 24 Oregon, 30-24, the Hoosiers continue the road swing by visiting the University of Kentucky at 6 p.m. Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium.
After coming away with an upset victory versus then-No. 24 Oregon, 30-24, the Hoosiers continue the road swing by visiting the University of Kentucky at 6 p.m. Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium.
DENVER -- In his interview with police the night after he was accused of rape, NBA star Kobe Bryant insisted the sex was consensual, that he stopped when she said "no" and wondered if she would accept money to recant a claim that could damage his reputation.
Some athletes can find pregame inspiration in a pair of socks, a ritualistic mix of songs or some other good luck charm. However, for most Hoosier football players, their inspiration comes from a "higher" source - religion. For some Hoosier football players, spirituality plays a large part in their life - both on and off the field. While some express their commitment through personal prayers, the IU team holds a voluntary gameday chapel session for those in need of metaphysical boost.
Whether it is on the volleyball court, in the classroom or at home, fifth-year senior Katie Pollom sets the example. The 6-foot-3 middle blocker from Indianapolis proves her strength on IU's volleyball squad by standing out above the rest as a leader and friend. IU coach Katie Weismiller has known Pollom for six years, when she first began recruiting her.
The last time the IU men's soccer team tasted defeat on its home field was Oct. 17, 2001. The Hoosiers' opponent -- Notre Dame. The last time the Hoosiers tasted defeat, home or away, was Sept. 18, 2003. Their opponent -- Notre Dame. Since that loss, the Hoosiers ripped off 22 straight games without being left with that taste of defeat in their mouths. And last night, against those same Fighting Irish, the Hoosiers made it 23.
The time of year has arrived: the semester is finally in motion and the influx of football into students' daily routines is here. The National Football League has just completed its first week of regular season play, while the college football season officially kicked off during the preceding week. But one of the more significant football varieties that directly affect the lives of roughly 3,700 students this fall is the start of the intramural sport -- flag football.
CHICAGO -- Corey Patterson hit a tying, two-run homer in the eighth inning and a game-winning shot in the 12th, giving the Chicago Cubs a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night. The Cubs remained a half-game behind the San Francisco Giants in the NL wild-card race.
After this weekend's tournament in Arlington, Texas, the IU women's volleyball team returned home to face IU-Purdue University Fort Wayne Tuesday. In a match where neither team was able to get on track, the Hoosiers won in thrilling fashion in five games, 30-32, 30-16, 24-30, 30-22, 15-11. Both the Hoosiers and the Mastodons played inconsistently throughout, with neither team able to put the other away.
After a 2003 season in which the Hoosiers gave up 30 points nine times and only forced 20 turnovers, the 2004 squad is working to reverse those trends this season.
The No. 1 ranked IU men's soccer team faces what the team is calling their biggest opponent on the schedule thus far this season: No. 17 Notre Dame (3-0-1).
CHICAGO -- Sammy Sosa homered for the first time in more than two weeks and Derrek Lee drove in three runs to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 7-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday night. Moises Alou and Neifi Perez also homered for the Cubs, who pulled within a half-game of idle San Francisco in the NL wild-card race.
It's been a week of long-belated distinctions for the Hoosier football team. After Saturday's defeat of then No. 24 University of Oregon, IU garnered the team's first road win over a ranked opponent since 2001, the first 2-0 start since 1996 and now the first Hoosier Big Ten Player of the Week in nearly two years.
SOUTH BEND -- Prior to the start of the 2004 season, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America named IU senior midfielder Danny O'Rourke and junior back Drew Moor to their preseason watch list for the Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy given to the top collegiate soccer player in America. O'Rourke and Moor had a combined two goals entering the 2004 season, with Moor laying claim to both tallies.
INDIANAPOLIS -- Mike Vanderjagt thinks he should make every kick for the Indianapolis Colts. Anything less is unacceptable in his world. So when Vanderjagt missed a potential game-tying, 48-yarder last week at New England, he grimaced, clapped his hands once and walked away feeling sick. Gone was the NFL record of 42 straight field goals and a 21-month stretch of perfection, but not the confidence that has made him one of league's top kickers.
"Back Home Again in Indiana" could not have sounded sweeter to the IU women's volleyball team as they returned to Bloomington Monday from a 900-mile road trip to the Lone Star State for the Texas-Arlington Invitational. After less than a day of rest, the Hoosiers will host the Mastodons of IU-Purdue University Fort Wayne Tuesday evening at University Gymnasium.
The Hoosier faithful broke out into a primal roar, followed by the religious incantation of "I-U" again and again until the final mighty psalm of "Indiana We're All For You" filled the air. The crowd noise was absolutely deafening -- worthy of any IU home game. There was just one problem -- the Hoosiers played some 2,400 miles away in Eugene, Ore., against the No. 24 Oregon Ducks.
Christmas came early for the IU football team Saturday after Oregon surrendered seven turnovers in the Hoosiers' 30-24 upset victory over the Ducks in Eugene, Ore. IU came into the game as a 20-point underdog. Throughout the game the Hoosier defense showed impressive play by forcing four fumbles in the first half and caused Oregon quarterback junior Kellen Clemens to throw three interceptions, two of them occurring in the fourth quarter.
One week ago in a 41-10 rout of Central Michigan University, defense was the name of the game for the Hoosiers. With stellar play from both the defensive and special teams units, IU easily handled CMU for the easy win. After Saturday's 30-24 upset of the No. 24 Oregon Ducks, it can be said that not much changed in a week. While the Ducks are a far cry from the Chippewas, the Hoosier defense stayed true to last week's performance, forcing seven turnovers including four fumbles and three interceptions.
Women's soccer upsets Auburn, FIU The IU women's soccer team traveled to another tournament this past weekend and once again came home with a pair of wins. After a 5-1 victory over Florida International University, the Hoosiers upset No. 18 ranked Auburn Saturday on junior Robin Barker's goal that proved enough to upend the Tigers and finish the tournament with a 1-0 upset.
Coming off a second place finish in last week's IU Credit Union Invitational, the IU women's volleyball team traveled south to take part in the 2004 Arlington/Hilton University of Texas-Arlington Invitational over the weekend.