Indiana University Athletics
Fan Appreciation Day, Scrimmage A Big Hit With Hoosier Faithful
8/19/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 19, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana fans had an opportunity to meet and greet Hoosier coaches and players on Saturday, Aug. 19 at IU Fan Appreciation Day and then got a chance to see the team in its only public scrimmage of the preseason.
With its season-opener two weeks away, Indiana conducted a 111-play controlled scrimmage in front of the sun-soaked Hoosier faithful. Senior kick returner Lance Bennett gave the fans something to cheer about right off the bat, as he opened the action with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
"It was fun," Bennett said of the scrimmage. "Obviously we've been going against each other for the last two weeks, but to bring in officials and bring in some crowd, that just adds more pressure to it. I think we got off to a good start. I think the offense could get off to a better start, but it's hard going against the same guys every day for the last two weeks. But I'm liking where we're at right now."
The offensive starters looked sharp in their first series as well. Junior quarterback Blake Powers connected with sophomore receiver James Hardy on the first play from scrimmage and then on a 56-yard touchdown pass two plays later for the first offensive score of the afternoon.
Powers found Hardy the entire scrimmage. Following a 12-yard strike to sophomore wideout James Bailey, Hardy made a spectacular one-handed stab in the back corner of the end zone for a 25-yard scoring strike.
The receivers looked sharp all afternoon, as redshirt freshman Chris Banks and freshman Terrance Turner corralled touchdowns.
"Everybody has to focus on their position and execute and just come out here and compete, and I think everything else will fall into place. The passing game has a lot of potential," Powers said.
Redshirt freshman Austin Thomas and senior linebacker Jake Powers helped the defense control the running attack. Thomas added several pass breakups, while Powers delivered a couple big hits leading the defensive unit.
"We've been working on involving our safeties more in our run-stopping scheme, and I think we played pretty well against the run today," Thomas said.
IU opens the 2006 campaign at Memorial Stadium against Western Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 2 with a 6 p.m. start time. The game will also serve as Youth Football Day. Youth football players, coaches and families may purchase tickets for $10 each, a $27 savings from the game day price of $37. The discount is available only on advance sales and not on game day purchases. For Indiana Football ticket information, please call the IU Athletic Ticket Office at 866-IUSPORTS.
Prior to the scrimmage, fans mingled on the field with the players, who signed autographs and posed for photos with young and old alike. A number of children held foot races up and down the field, while many took the opportunity to touch "The Rock."
"I love seeing the fans," sophomore wide receiver James Hardy said. "It's a great thing for them to come out and see us, and for us to interact with them. I'm always up for it."
Bill and Sandy Dennis of Westfield came out with their grandsons to get autographs.
"We're just big IU fans," Sandy said. "We're excited and want to stay excited, so we decided to come down and mingle.
"The field looks different than when you're sitting up so high. It feels so soft, like carpet."
Junior quarterback Blake Powers, who hails from Brandenburg, Ky., was surprised to meet a number of fans from the Bluegrass State.
"It's good for the kids to come and get to hang out with us," Powers said. "They look up to people in our position. It's great for us to be able to have a positive influence on them."
Mark and Christine Mooney of Bloomington brought their young children, Annie and Jack, to meet some of the players and run around on the field. Annie showed her support with her Indiana cheerleading outfit while both her and Jack sported IU temporary tattoos on their cheeks and toted notebooks that were filled with autographs.
"It's really nice that they allow the fans and kids to come down," Christine said. "It's a personal contact for when we watch them play in the fall. It seems like it's more personal since you've met them.
"When I pictured this, I thought that it was just going to be limited players and that you would have to stand in more lines," she continued. "Not that you could just wander onto the field. It's very welcoming in a `come and play with us' sort of way. I didn't know we were going to get to meet Coach Hep, so that's been fun."
"It's getting us pumped up for the season," Mark added.
Sophomore defensive tackle Greg Brown also emphasized that he enjoyed the opportunity to meet the fans and give something back to them.
"You want to give back to the fans who come to the games each week and show their support for us," Brown said. "It's special. It's not often we get to come out here and sign autographs. Every chance we get to come out here and meet the fans, we want to do that.
"I'll always thank the fans. Without them, there's no football."
