Indiana University Athletics
Summer School
7/20/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 20, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana enjoyed some significant program milestones in 2005, including a 39 percent increase in per game attendance and quarterback Blake Powers' school-record, 22 touchdown passes. And after a productive offseason that included a counselor stint at the esteemed Manning Passing Academy, Powers is poised to help the Hoosiers take their next step in 2006.
Powers was among 15 of the nation's top signal-callers serving as counselors at the annual camp July 6-9 at Nicholls State University in Thibodeaux, La., and he said that the camp was a daily tutorial in both quarterback mechanics and approach to the game.
"Every day we went into a room with Peyton Manning, Eli Manning and John Elway and had a question and answer session on anything," Powers said. "We were just sitting there, watching film and asking questions. We learned how they dealt with being in the spotlight, success and failure. I just tried to soak everything up."
According to the 6-4, 228-pound junior, you cannot put a price on this opportunity.
"They were all so down to earth. You never would have guessed that they are famous quarterbacks," Powers said. "They were always trying to help you out, help you get better. They weren't obligated to do that, but that is what they wanted to do. It was a camp for both younger kids as well as the college quarterbacks."
Powers plans to take the lessons learned and apply them to his leadership role within the IU offense. Ask him to compare the summer of 2005 to the summer of 2006, and it is an immediate response.
"I know what to expect. I know what each environment is going to bring," Powers said. "I know how to prepare on a weekly basis, approach things mentally. I'm more of a student of the game. I understand defenses better, which will help my decision making."
The offensive skill players have supplemented the offseason film sessions with competitive 7-on-7 workouts. Powers said that the Hoosiers' impressive depth at wide receiver should pay dividends this fall.
"Our wide receivers are stronger, more physical receivers," Powers said. "The quarterbacks and receivers have been in sync, working on timing. Jahkeen Gilmore and James Hardy have been working on footwork and conditioning. It is important to keep them healthy. (Redshirt freshmen) Nick Polk and Andrew Means both bring a lot to the table at the slot positions. They're good athletes and well-rounded receivers. James Bailey is doing well. We have all matured and are seeing the big picture."
The big picture includes a return to postseason play. In order for Indiana to earn a bowl bid, the Hoosiers will have to build momentum this summer that carries into preseason practice and onto a September schedule featuring four of the first five games at Memorial Stadium.
"We have to come out with the same early season mentality that we did last year," Powers said, referring to IU's first 4-1 start since 1994. "We need to deal with adversity better, bounce back when things go bad. We have to win our home games and get a few on the road so that we can get to our goal of going to a bowl game."
