Indiana University Athletics
Monday Morning Quarterback with Don Fischer
4/10/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 10, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana radio play-by-play voice Don Fischer said that if the April 8 Pancakes-n-Pigskin scrimmage is any indication, Hoosier fans can look forward to an exciting Cream and Crimson intrasquad scrimmage on April 15 at 4 p.m., at Memorial Stadium.
In last week's installment of Monday Morning Quarterback, Fischer said that the offense needed to bounce back from a sluggish performance in IU's April 1 scrimmage, and the offense certainly heeded Fischer's call.
"The offense needed to make strides, and there is no question that they did," Fischer said. "The strength of this offense is its receiving corps. It may be as deep as I have seen in my time (33 years) at Indiana. There are some top-notch caliber receivers - James Hardy, Jahkeen Gilmore and James Bailey. Brandon Walker-Roby is a kid that nobody expected to have the impact that he did last year, but he is a terrific possession receiver. Andrew Means, I have not seen anyone at Indiana as physical as him since Ernie Jones. I am not saying that he is Ernie Jones. But to this point, he has terrific hands and is like a big defensive back playing receiver. He can hurt you after he catches the ball. Chris Banks has made some nice catches, and Nick Polk has good speed and good hands."
In fact, this depth may afford Indiana head coach Terry Hoeppner a nice problem to have.
"There are so many good receivers that the question becomes how you get them all in the game," Fischer said. "No question that is the deepest position. I thought that (quarterback) Blake Powers did a terrific job moving the offense in the (April 8) scrimmage. The offensive line really gave him time to throw. Running back is another position where Indiana is very deep, but also very young. Naturally, with more reps, they're only going to get better. You have a fast back in Marcus Thigpen, an elusive back in Demetrius McCray, a bowling-ball back in Bryan Payton and a big back in Justin Carrington, who did a nice job catching screen passes out of the backfield."
Given the defense's success in the April 1 scrimmage, and the way that the offense moved the ball in the April 8 outing, it sets the table for an interesting and decisive spring game.
"The only thing more competitive than the spring game is the regular season itself," Fischer said. "Everyone wants to put their best foot forward and show the coaches that they will be candidates for playing time this fall. It's not only an opportunity for the players, but every position coach wants their kids to be a factor in the spring game. It may be a little vanilla in terms of how much of the offensive and defensive schemes that the coaches show, but it is still extremely competitive."
IU's 2006 spring season concludes with the annual Cream and Crimson intrasquad game on April 15 at 4 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
IU season ticket holders will also have the opportunity to renew their season tickets before the April 17 priority deadline to save 10-percent off the price of an adult ticket. Please call 855-4006 or 866-IUSPORTS for more information.
