Indiana University Athletics
Spring Game This Friday
4/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 21, 2003
Bloomington, Ind. - Fans interested in getting an early preview of the Indiana football team can do so this Friday when the Hoosiers strap on the gear and take the field for the Spring Game at 7 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
Admission is free for all fans, with the gates opening at 5:30 p.m.
Friday's scrimmage will give Indiana fans the opportunity to get their first look at new quarterback Matt LoVecchio running the Hoosier offense. LoVecchio transferred to IU after taking Notre Dame to the Fiesta Bowl during his freshman year in South Bend.
During spring camp, the mobile and accurate LoVecchio has been an excellent fit in an Indiana offense that put up some of the best passing numbers in school history last year. LoVecchio has the luxury of having the top six receivers off of last year's team returning for 2003, including the high-powered duo of Courtney Roby and Glenn Johnson.
Spring camp has been a daily highlight reel for Roby, who has consistently made one spectacular grab after another. As for Johnson, he has been as reliable as ever, and figures to do some damage this year with LoVecchio finding him all over the field.
Head coach Gerry DiNardo has made it known that he would like to see improvement in the running game this year, and in Brian Lewis and Yamar Washington, he has to running backs that can make plays. The quick and elusive Lewis and the powerful Washington have both done solid work during spring camp, and Friday's scrimmage gives fans a chance to see their progress first hand.
Despite the fact that Indiana's offense has some of the more recognizable names on the roster, it is the defense that has provided the two most pleasant surprises of the spring in linebacker Kyle Killion and defensive end Kenny Kendal.
Killion has provided some of the most bone-jarring hits of the spring in leading the Indiana linebacking corps, while Kendal has seen his stock soar by consistently wreaking havoc in the offensive backfield.
Perhaps the most intriguing match-up in Friday's scrimmage would be the starting receivers going up against a much-improved starting secondary. Converted linebacker Herana-Daze Jones joins fifth-year senior Joe Gonzalez as the starting safeties, while the wily combination of Damien Jones and Leonard Bryant have come down with several interceptions during spring camp.
Make plans to join the Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m. on Friday for the Spring Game.
