Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Deep at Quarterback
4/5/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 5, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - With the Hoosiers halfway through spring practice and bearing down on the spring game on April 15, passing game coordinator and quarterback coach Matt Canada feels good about his deep group of signal callers. Throughout spring practice, redshirt junior Blake Powers, redshirt senior Graeme McFarland, redshirt freshmen Kellen Lewis and Dustin Hass have continued to improve with a year under their belts. With the addition of Bloomington South signee Ben Chappell in the fall, the Hoosiers will be incredibly deep at the position.
During spring practice, the Hoosiers have worked on various facets of the passing game. Overall, the quarterbacks and wide receivers have worked to get on the same page. Canada believes that the passing game is improving.
"We have improved a lot of things in our passing game," Canada said. "As you watch us in routes in seven-on-seven and the passing game as a whole, our routes are crisper, our reads are cleaner, we are seeing things faster and making better decisions. We just have to continue to improve and then transfer that to the scrimmages when it counts. We didn't do that Saturday as well as we would have hoped. As you watch the film, there were plays to be made. We had guys running down the field open, where if we hit them it is a whole different day. As an offensive football team goes, you are always a play or two away. We are getting better every day with all of the guys and how they are improving. "
All four quarterbacks playing in spring ball have made improvements to their game. Canada is excited about the incredible depth he has at the position. With four solid quarterbacks to rely on, the passing game can continue to make an impact.
"I think Blake certainly is with the ones and has maintained his position there," Canada said. "It is a situation where Graeme is extremely solid and is pushing all of the time. He is very smart and puts us in the right play. Kellen has been what he is. He has a lot of potential. He does some very exciting things as times, but he still has to stay within the offense and make plays. He is a freshman and we just have to keep brining him along. Dustin Hass has done a great job as well. He got some scrimmage time on Saturday and played very well. Like I always say, I have a great room with some really good football players. Competition is a great thing."
The Hoosiers will also have a knowledgeable freshman coming in during the fall, as Chappell has enjoyed the ability to be at every practice and learn while also experiencing his final semester as a high school senior.
"It is great," Canada said. "He is in the meetings just like any of the other recruits are that have come by. We allow them into meetings. Obviously, Ben is here every day because he is in town. He wants to learn and is taking notes. He is in there soaking it all up. There is no way to minimize the fact that he will be ahead of the game next fall because he sat in, listened and learned. He understands how we coach and has gotten to do that every day. It is certainly a benefit for him and for us. That is a great thing. Sometimes, you have guys leave early their senior year and miss things. He had a great basketball season. He is going to get to go to prom, which are things that are part of being a senior. It is a great deal for him. Honestly, those guys that usually come in early don't get to play much because of where they are on the depth chart. He has one of the best scenarios that can happen, and it is a unique situation with him being in town."
Indiana continues its preparation for the April 8 Pancakes 'n' Pigskins scrimmage. Breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m., as adults can purchase pancakes, sausage, orange juice and coffee for $5, and kids 12 and under can buy breakfast for $3.
The Kids Zone is back for its second straight Pancakes 'n' Pigskin and features various interactive inflatables and other activities.
Admission to the 10 a.m. intrasquad scrimmage is free and includes a halftime talk with Coach Terry Hoeppner and player and coach autograph session on the field after the scrimmage.
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.
