Hoosiers Prepare for Big Ten Opener At Michigan

September 22, 2003

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SERIES HISTORY
Michigan leads the all-time series 46-9 and has won the last 11 meetings and 26 of the last 27. Indiana last win came in 1987 (14-10).

LAST MEETING
These two teams have not met the last two seasons. The last meeting came in 2000 in Ann Arbor and the Wolverines posted a 58-0 victory.
The prior meeting in 1999 was much closer as Michigan squeezed out a 34-31 victory in Bloomington.

LOOKING TO SNAP ROAD WOES
Indiana has dropped its last nine road games dating back to 2001.

KEEP YOUR PROGRAM HANDY
A total of 64 players have played this season for the Hoosiers. Here is a breakdown by class of those players that have played this season:
Seniors 6
Juniors 19
Sophomores 17
Redshirt Freshmen 10
True Freshmen 12

NEWCOMERS A KEY FOR INDIANA
New faces factor heavily into Indiana's plans this season, evidenced by the fact that a total of 12 true freshmen have already seen game action. When the 10 redshirt freshmen who have played this year are included, a total of 22 Hoosiers have seen their first career action this season.

TRUE FRESHMEN WHO HAVE PLAYED
Player GP
Lance Bennett 4
BenJarvus Green-Ellis 4
Cleo Harbison 4
Cedric Henry 4
Ben Ishola 4
Chris Mangiero 2
Will Meyers 4
Casey Nowinski 3
Jake Powers 4
Chris Rudanovic 3
Ryan Skelton 3
Joel Stubblefield 4

REDSHIRT FROSH WHO HAVE PLAYED
Player GP
Scott Anderson 4
Tyson Beattie 4
Justin Frye 4
Jahkeen Gilmore 1
Troy Grosfield 4
Andy Halterman 4
Kenny Kendal 4
Graeme McFarland 4
Matt O'Neal 4
Alex Stscherban 3

INDIANA'S SCHOLARSHIP NUMBERS
Indiana will take the field on Saturday with 62 active players on scholarship.
With only five scholarship seniors on the 2003 roster and an incoming recruiting class of 25 scholarship players, it won't be until the 2004 season when Indiana is at the NCAA-maximum of 85 scholarship players on the roster.

THE ROSTER BREAKDOWN
Total Schol. Walk-Ons
Seniors 8 5 3
Juniors 22 17 5
Sophomores 17 12 5
R. Freshmen 16 8 8
Freshmen 40 20 20
Totals 103 62 41

BenJarvus Green-Ellis and the offense look to keep rolling this week.

ESTABLISHING THE RUN
The Hoosiers have had a back rush for 100+ yards in each of the last two games. First it was true freshman BenJarvus Green-Ellis with 107 yards on 20 carries against Indiana State. And then last weekend Brian Lewis returned from an injury that kept him out against Indiana State to rush for 116 yards on 17 carries against Kentucky.

VARIOUS OPTIONS AT BACK
In the last two season the Hoosiers had four different running backs rush for 100+ yards in a game. BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Brian Lewis have both done it this year. Current sophomore Chris Taylor did it last year in his first season and came very close this year with 92 yards against Indiana State. Yamar Washington also had 100+ yards last year as a redshirt freshman. An injury in the spring is keeping him sidelined this season.

YOUNG BACKS MAKE HISTORY
With BenJarvus Green-Ellis' 107 yards against Indiana State this season and Chris Taylor's 102 yards last year against Northwestern Indiana made history. Never before had Indiana seen back-to-back seasons with a true freshman rushing for 100+ yards in a game.

IMPROVING THE RUN GAME
Indiana has had success on the ground in the last two games. Against Kentucky the Hoosiers averaged 5.29 yards per carry. Indiana averaged 4.27 yards per carry last year.
Opponent IU Yards Per Carry
Kentucky 5.29
Indiana State 4.46
Washington 2.09
UConn 3.87

EVALUATING THE RUSH DEFENSE
Last season Indiana allowed over 200 yards rushing in a game nine different times (average of 235 per game). It has yet to happen this season. Last year the opposition averaged 5.40 yards per carry.
Opponent Rush Yds Allowed YPC
Kentucky 167 4.1
Indiana State 105 2.8
Washington 195 3.8
UConn 200 5.3

TURNOVER MARGIN
Indiana has a +1 turnover margin this season. Last year Indiana had a -12 turnover margin. The biggest difference has come in the interception category as the Hoosiers threw 21 interceptions last year. This year just two Hoosier passes have been picked.
The Hoosiers have been even or posted a positive turnover margin in each of the last three games. Last year Indiana had a positive turnover margin just once in 12 games and three other times the margin was zero.
IU (Int-Fum) Forced (Int-Fum) +/-
UK 1-0 0-1 0
ISU 0-1 1-2 +2
Wash 1-1 1-2 +1
UConn 0-3 1-0 -2
Totals 2-5 3-5 +1

THIRD QUARTER IMPROVMENT NEEDED
Indiana has been outscored 52-13 in the third quarter this season. In comparison the Hoosiers have outscored the opposition 60-57 in the other three quarters combined.
The biggest third quarter differences came against Washington when IU was outscored 28-3 and against Kentucky when the Hoosiers were blanked 14-0.
Quarter IU Opponent
1st 19 27
2nd 27 16
3rd 13 52
4tf 14 14

SURPRISE A FROSH LEADS THE WAY
As young as the Hoosiers are, it should not be a surprise that a true freshman has been leading the way statistically for the defensive unit.
While injuries have decimated the secondary, they have opened a window for true freshman Will Meyers. He has led the team or been tied for the team lead in tackles in each of the last three games.
A native of Chesterfield, Mo., Meyers saw a good deal of action against Connecticut, then shined against Washington, making a team-best 13 tackles and recovering a fumble that he forced. He followed that up with eight tackles, including two for loss, two forced fumbles and a sack against Indiana State and tied for the team lead with eight tackles against Kentucky.
His last three games have seen him post 29 tackles, four forced fumbles, a sack and a fumble recovery.
Meyers Last Three Games
Opponent Tackles FF FR TFL
UK 7-1-8 1 0 0
ISU 7-1-8 2 0 2
Wash 5-8-13 1 1 1

DEFENSIVE LEADERS
True freshman Will Meyers, sophomore Kyle Killion and junior college transfer Josh Moore are all tied for the team lead with 36 tackles (9.0 per game) this season.

CRITICAL PLAY SITUATIONS
Here is a look at key critical situation statistics for the Hoosiers this season.
Red zone play has been telling. Against Indiana State the Hoosiers were 5-of-5 with four touchdowns. In their three losses the Hoosiers are a respectable 5-of-7 but have scored just two touchdowns and have had to settle for three field goals.
The opposition in those three Hoosier losses was 11-of-12 in the red zone with nine touchdowns and two field goals.
3rd down conv IU Opp
Kentucky 4-16 4-13
ISU 8-12 4-12
Washington 7-17 10-16
UConn 3-17 6-14
4th down conv IU Opp
Kentucky 2-3 2-2
ISU 1-1 0-4
Washington 1-2 1-2
UConn 3-5 0-0
Red Zone IU Opp
Kentucky 2-3 (10 pts) 3-3 (21 pts)
ISU 5-5 (31 pts) 0-2 (0 pts)
Washington 2-2 (10 pts) 4-5 (24 pts)
UConn 1-2 (3 pts) 4-4 (24 pts)

BEATTIE PUNTING WELL
Redshirt freshman Tyson Beattie has handled the punting duties well in his first season after coming to Bloomington from Australia.
Against Kentucky he pinned the Wildcats inside their five yard line three times. He had just three punts against Indiana State, but all three were downed inside or at the 10-yard line, including one at the one-yard line and another at the three-yard line.
Beattie is averaging 37.5 yards per punt this season and eight of his kicks have been inside the 20 yard line.
Beattie's Punting in the Last Two
vs. Kentucky Distance Opp. Start
Punt #1 43 Own 3
Punt #2 35 Own 3
Punt #3 26 Own 13
Punt #4 38 Own 3
Punt #5 42 Own 49
Punt #6 39 Own 36
Punt #7 40 Own 35
vs. ISU Distance Opp. Start
Punt #1 42 Own 1
Punt #2 36 Own 3
Punt #3 35 Own 10

ROBERTSON CONNECTING
Kicker Bryan Robertson is in the midst of an impressive streak. The junior from Seymour, Ind., has connected on 13 of his last 16 field goal attempts, dating back to last year, with the only two misses being a 45-yarder last season, a scrambling 49-yarder as time was expiring in the first half at Washington and a 50-yarder against Kentucky.
He is 8-of-8 on extra points this season and has made his last 10 extra point attempts.

ROBERTSON'S LAST 16 FGA
Vs. Kentucky 50 yards Missed
Vs. Kentucky 21 yards Good
Vs. Indiana State 21 yards Good
At Washington 39 yards Good
At Washington 49 yards Missed
At Washington 34 yards Good
At Connecticut 28 yards Good
At Purdue 50 yards Good
Vs. Penn State 45 yards Missed
At Northwestern 43 yards Good
Vs. Iowa 23 yards Good
Vs. Iowa 45 yards Good
Vs. Wisconsin 32 yards Good
At Ohio State 49 yards Good
Vs. Central Michigan 45 yards Good
At Kentucky 46 yards Good

KICKING OFF THE GROSFIELD WAY
Kicker Troy Grosfield has quietly done very well in his first four games at the collegiate level. The kicker-turned-receiver-back-to-kicker has kicked off 17 times, recording five touchbacks and limiting the opponents to an average starting field position of the 25 yard line.

GROSFIELD BY THE NUMBERS
Opponent Drive Start After Kick
vs. Kentucky
Own 20 (touchback)
Own 34
Own 38
Opponent 40 (onside kick)
vs. Indiana State
Own 33
Own 21
Own 20 (touchback)
Own 20 (touchback)
Own 18
Own 23
vs. Washington
Own 20 (touchback)
Own 13
Own 38
Own 16
vs. Connecticut
Own 17
Own 20 (touchback)
Own 26

GAMES MISSED TO INJURY
The Hoosiers have now missed nine games to injury this season. Will Lumpkin injured his knee against Washington and is lost for the season while Brandon Hatcher injured his ankle against Kentucky and is lost for the season.:
Joe Gonzalez 3 games
Tyke Spencer 2 games
Brian Lewis 1 game
Will Lumpkin 3 games (out for the year)
Brandon Hatcher 1 game (out for the year)

YOUNG OFFENSIVE LINE
Indiana's projected starting offensive line consists of a redshirt sophomore, a true sophomore, a true freshman, a redshirt junior and a redshirt freshman. Heading into the season the players combined to make 22 career starts. This season the unit has already combined to make 16 starts.

LONG DRIVES THIS SEASON
vs. Kentucky
Plays Yards Time Result
12 76 4:35 FG
14 29 5:36 Downs
vs. Indiana State
Plays Yards Time Result
14 70 5:33 TD
11 71 3:54 TD
10 44 4:35 FG
vs. Indiana State
Plays Yards Time Result
14 70 5:33 TD
11 71 3:54 TD
10 44 4:35 FG
vs. Washington
Plays Yards Time Result
13 76 4:50 TD
11 59 5:38 FG
11 56 3:53 FG
vs. Connecticut
Plays Yards Time Result
10 79 3:45 Downs
7 76 2:55 TD

LOVECCHIO IN EXCLUSIVE FRATERNITY
Having taken Notre Dame to the 2001 Fiesta Bowl, Matt LoVecchio is one of only four active collegiate quarterbacks to have started in a BCS bowl game.

ACTIVE QBs WHO STARTED BCS BOWLS
Brock Berlin-Miami (2000 Orange Bowl at Florida)
Craig Krenzel-Ohio State (2003 Fiesta Bowl)
Matt LoVecchio-Indiana (2001 Fiesta Bowl at ND)
Fabian Walker-Florida State (2003 Sugar Bowl)

NEW OFFENSE MEANS NEW NUMBERS FOR LOVECCHIO
Quarterback Matt LoVecchio has already set his career high in passing three times this season including last weekend against Kentucky. LoVecchio threw for 266 yards against the Wildcats and has had two 200-yard and one 199-yard games this season. While at Notre Dame LoVecchio's career-best passing mark was 183.
LoVecchio's Top Passing Games
Yards Opponent LoVecchio's Team
266 Kentucky Indiana
211 UConn Indiana
199 Washington Indiana
183 Navy Notre Dame

MATT LOVECCHIO'S CAREER STATS
Passing
Year G-GS Att. Comp. Int. Yds. TD
2003 4-4 110 58 2 822 2
2002 Redshirted
2001 7-2 69 34 4 287 1
2000 8-7 125 73 1 980 11
Career 19-13 304 165 7 2089 14

HALTERMAN BECOMING A FACTOR
Tight end Aaron Halterman led the Hoosier receiving corps with five catches for 71 yards against Kentucky. In the first two games of the season Halterman had one catch for seven yards. The last two games have seen him make seven catches for 87 yards.

ROBY COMING CLOSER TO TOP TEN
Courtney Roby needs just 88 more receiving yards to crack Indiana's all-time top ten receiving yardage list. He has 1,400 career yards.

JOHNSON ALSO CLOSING IN ON TOP TEN
Glenn Johnson needs just 268 more receiving yards to crack Indiana's all-time top ten receiving yardage list. He has 1,220 career yards.

A LOOK AT TOP CAREER RECEIVING YARDAGE LEADERS
1. Ernie Jones 2,361 1984-87
2. Thomas Lewis 2,324 1991-93
3. Duane Gunn 2,235 1981-83
4. Jade Butcher 1,810 1967-69
5. Bill Malinchak 1,686 1963-65
6. Eddie Baety 1,617 1991-94
7. Rob Turner 1,603 1987-89
8. Keith Calvin 1,590 1974-77
9. Eddie Thomas 1,575 1988-91
10. Leonard Kenebrew 1,480 1982-84
11. Kenny Allen 1,434 1984-87
12. Courtney Roby 1,400 2001-03
13. Bob Stephenson 1,252 1978-81
14. Scott McGowan 1,251 1989-92
15. Ajamu Stoner 1,238 1994-96
16. Glenn Johnson 1,220 1999-03

PLAYERS GAINING FIRST DOWNS
Here is a look at how many times certain players or pass-catch combos have gained a first down this season:
Chris Taylor 11
BenJarvus Green-Ellis 10
LoVecchio to Roby 10
LoVecchio to Johnson 6
Brian Lewis 6
LoVecchio to Halterman 5
LoVecchio to Pannozzo 4
LoVecchio to Haney 4
Matt LoVecchio 3
By Penalty 2
LoVecchio to Spencer 2
LoVecchio to Taylor 2
Chris Rudanovic 1
Courtney Roby 1
LoVecchio to Sullivan 1

ALL-TIME TRUE FRESHMEN WHO RUSHED FOR 100 YARDS
BenJarvus Green-Ellis became the sixth true freshman in IU history to rush for 100 yards in a game. He joins a list that includes the following:
Chris Taylor (2002)
Anthony Thompson (1986)
Mike Harkrader (1976)
De'Wayne Hogan (1997)
Courtney Snyder (1973)

A LOOK AT THE TEAM'S LEADERS
Here is a look at the Hoosiers key statistical leaders for each game this season.
Opponent Rusher Receiver Tackler
Kentucky Lewis (116) Halterman (71) Meyers (8)
Jones (8)
Killion (8)
Indiana St. Green-Ellis (107) Roby (35) Meyers (8)
Killion (8)
Washington Lewis (31) Roby (77) Jones (13)
Meyers (13)
UConn Taylor (73) Haney (99) Moore (13)

INDIANA TEAM CAPTAINS
Senior running back Brian Lewis and senior safety Joe Gonzalez were selected by their teammates as team captains for 2003. The Hoosiers also select game captains each game. The team captains wear a "C" on their jerseys, while the game captains wear either an "A" (alternate captain) or an "S" (special teams captain)
Kentucky
Matt Calvert (A), Matt Foss (S)
Indiana State
Matt Foss (A), Duane Stone (S)
Washington
Duane Stone (A), Will Lumpkin (S)
Connecticut
Glenn Johnson (A), Travis Haney (S)

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PLAYERS
Indiana's roster features four international players.
Tyson Beattie, P Attadale, Australia
Paul Hearn, OL Calgary, Canada
Martin Lapostolle, DT Montreal, Canada
Ben Ishola, DE Berlin, Germany
In addition, defensive end Victor Adeyanju spent much of his childhood in Nigeria before his family moved to Chicago.

ASTROPLAY IS THE WAY
Indiana installed AstroPlay as the new playing surface at Memorial Stadium. The $446,000 project comes with a 10-year guarantee and contains 300,000 pounds of ground rubber IU is one of four Big Ten schools playing on modernized artificial turf.

TRENT GREEN GIVES BACK
The Indiana Football locker room receives a facelift for the 2003 season, thanks to the generosity of former Hoosier and current Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Trent Green and his wife, and IU alum, Julie (Lentz) Green. The Greens donated the funds to remodel the football locker room at Memorial Stadium this summer.
"My wife (Julie) and I have always wanted to give back to the University. This was a great way for us to do it. It's something we both feel strongly about," Trent Green said. "We just wanted to help be a part of that and get Indiana Football back to a place where we're going to bowl games, winning football games and generating excitement, not only around Bloomington, but also around the entire state in an effort to fill the stadium back up."
The facelift to the original 1986 facility will include renovating and modernizing the existing space with new carpeting, lighting and a new bulkhead ceiling along with the installation of custom-built oak wood lockers for 105 football players.
Trent Green, a 1992 graduate from the Kelley School of Business, ranks fourth on the school's all-time passing yardage list with 5,400 career yards. He is also fourth on the school's all-time all-purpose yardage list with 5,916 and ninth with 20 career rushing touchdowns.

Indiana University Athletics

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