Indiana University Athletics
March 28 Spring Football Practice Report
3/28/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 28, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Hoosiers continued spring ball with practice held in Memorial Stadium on March 28. The Hoosiers spent most of the practice in their position specific drills with the special teams working on punt blocking, while the receivers and running backs worked with the offensive line. Following the position drills, the team moved into its first day of full tackle seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 drills.
During the seven-on-seven, junior quarterback Blake Powers completed a 55-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Brandon Walker-Roby. Meanwhile, sophomore linebacker Geno Johnson stepped up for the defense making a solid hit. Senior defensive backs Will Meyers and Josh Bailey both made an impact with an interception each for the defense.
After the seven-on-seven drills the Hoosiers' offense opened up with an impressive 25-yard touchdown strike from senior Graeme McFarland to sophomore receiver Chris Banks in 11-on-11 action.
Following practice, IUHOOSIERS.com caught up with Indiana head coach Terry Hoeppner to discuss IU's first full tackle practice of the spring season.
Head Coach Terry Hoeppner:
On the first day of tackle practice:
TH: We had some really good things, we had some bad things and we had some ugly things. We just want to keep getting more of the good, less of the bad and eliminate the ugly and we'll be ok. We need to be more physical. We need to be a tougher football team not only physically but mentally, and that was the challenge. I think we definitely moved another step in the right direction.
How practice has been going so far:
TH: We are a young team right now. So, with the young players every day is a learning experience. They are going to make some mistakes, and we'll be patient with them up until a certain point just so they don't keep making the same mistakes. I'm happy overall with the job the coaches are doing, and we're getting some good leadership. I'm pushing that idea of leadership, and when you put stress on them the good ones will respond. We're following our plan right now, we have a plan and we're going to keep working the plan.
Expectations for the coming season:
TH: We'll play 12 games, and if I didn't come up with a designing plan to win them all then I shouldn't be the coach. Our goal is to play 13, and that means we're in a bowl game.
