Indiana University Athletics
Inside The Numbers
9/8/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 8, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - As the Indiana football team prepares to meet Ball State in Muncie, Ind., on Saturday, Sept. 9, let's take a look inside the numbers. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. EDT and the game will air on Comcast in Muncie, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and areas in Michigan. Check your local cable listings for availability.
Return To Paydirt
Sophomore cornerback Chris Phillips (66-yard interception) and junior cornerback Tracy Porter (86-yard punt) delivered touchdown returns in the team's opening victory vs. Western Michigan. The last time the Hoosiers recorded an interception and punt return for touchdowns in the same game came in 1980. Tim Wilbur accomplished the feat by himself, returning a punt 78 yards and an interception 40 yards on Sept. 20, 1980 at Kentucky.
Phillips' return was Indiana's first interception for a TD since Kyle Killion scored on a 46-yard return against Penn State on Nov. 13, 2004. It also was the longest interception return for touchdown since Tracy Porter recorded a 96-yard return in IU's 41-10 season opening win over Central Michigan on Sept. 4, 2004.
Meanwhile, Porter's 86-yard return was the team's first since Lance Bennett ran one back for 94 yards against Michigan State on Sept. 25, 2004.
New Faces
As the Hoosiers take the field in 2006, keep your roster close by. Seventy-two players on the 105-man roster (69 percent) are underclassmen and 49 (47 percent) are freshmen or redshirt freshmen.
In the season opener, 17 players saw their first collegiate action, including redshirt freshmen Josh Bailey (buck) and Austin Thomas (safety), who appeared in the starting lineup. Five true freshmen saw action, including Ray Fisher, Mandela Roberts, J.T. Owens, Will Patterson and Matt Mayberry.
Here is a breakdown by class of the 2006 Hoosiers:
• Seniors - 15
• Juniors - 18
• Sophomores - 23
• Redshirt Freshmen - 25
• True Freshmen - 24
Speeding It Up
The Hoosier defense showed significant upgrades in the speed department against Western Michigan. Indiana defenders were flying all over the field, forcing three turnovers (2 interceptions, 1 fumble), three sacks, 11 tackles for loss (55 yards) and one touchdown. IU took advantage of the turnovers, converting them into 14 points.
The last time IU forced three turnovers in a game was in the Hoosiers' 36-13 victory over Illinois on Oct. 8, 2005.
Additionally, the Hoosiers held the Broncos to only 72 rushing yards. The last time IU held an opponent to under 100 yards on the ground was against Kentucky (77 yards) on Sept. 17 last season.
Points Aplenty
In the Hoosiers' season-opening win over Western Michigan, Indiana put 39 points on the scoreboard - the most in head coach Terry Hoeppner's two seasons in Bloomington. IU has tallied 30-plus points four times under Hoeppner's watch - all at Memorial Stadium - en route to a 4-0 record in those ballgames.
Contributing to the scoring outburst, the Hoosiers went a perfect 4-for-4 in the red zone. Indiana punched the ball in the end zone twice and settled for a pair of field goals.
Spreading The Wealth
Seven Hoosiers caught passes and five recorded carries in the team's 2006 opener against Western Michigan. Quarterbacks Blake Powers and Graeme McFarland hit seven different receivers, each of who caught at least two passes. Sophomore James Bailey brought in five balls, while sophomore James Hardy led the way with 86 yards. Sophomore Marcus Thigpen and redshirt freshman Andrew Means each corralled a touchdown.
In the backfield, junior Josiah Sears paced the backs with eight carries for 35 yards and his first career touchdown.
Home Sweet Home
For just the fifth time in the 46-year history of Memorial Stadium, the Hoosiers will play seven home games in 2006. IU also hosted seven ballgames in 1978, 1993, 1995 and 1999.
"Buck"ing The Trend
IU has added the "Buck" position to its defensive scheme this season. The "Buck" is a hybrid of safety and linebacker, where the player can drop into coverage like a safety but also come up with with the other linebackers and defend the run.
Redshirt freshman Josh Bailey opened the season at "Buck" and turned in an impressive debut vs. Western Michigan. The Indianapolis native and Warren Central graduate led the Hoosiers with 11 tackles (9 solo) in addition to two tackles for loss.
Deepest Threat
Without question, the Hoosiers enjoy their greatest depth at wide receiver. Indiana returns its top four wideouts from a season ago in sophomore James Hardy (61 catches/893 yards/10 touchdowns), sophomore Marcus Thigpen (32/432/2), senior Jahkeen Gilmore (30/383/3) and sophomore James Bailey (27/335/3). In fact, the aforementioned players, along with sophomore Brandon Walker-Roby (10/78/2), senior tight end Matt O'Neal (11/84/2) and junior tight end Nick Sexton (2/2/2), accounted for all 24 receiving touchdowns last season, and all seven players are back in 2006.
Hardy, Thigpen, Gilmore and Bailey were four of seven players to corral receptions in the season opener against Western Michigan. Three of the newcomers adding to the team's depth at the position - redshirt freshmen Andrew Means and Nick Polk and true freshman Ray Fisher - also joined in the fun. Means grabbed a 10-yard touchdown reception for his first career catch and finished the game with a pair of grabs, while Polk added a pair and Fisher brought in three receptions.
By The Numbers
In his eighth season as a head coach, Terry Hoeppner teams:
• have never been shut out.
• are 40-11 when they score first.
• are 32-8 when they lead at the end of the first quarter.
• are 47-3 when they lead at the start of the fourth quarter.
• are 22-3 since 2003 when they score first.
The Start Chart
Senior Justin Frye has been an anchor on the offensive line since his insertion into the starting lineup as a redshirt freshman in 2003. He has started all 34 games he has appeared in, missing only the season finale at Purdue his redshirt season. One of the most versatile Hoosier linemen - he played right tackle and right guard in 2005 - Frye will try his hand at left tackle this season.
Touchdown Returns
The Hoosiers collected a punt and an interception return for touchdowns in the season opener against Western Michigan. Below is a look at the most touchdown returns in a season in Indiana history:
2004 - 7 (3 fumble, 2 interception, 1 punt, 1 kick)
1996 - 5 (3 interception, 2 blocked punt)
1990 - 4 (2 interception, 2 punt)
1969 - 4 (3 punt, 1 kick)
2006 - 2 (1 punt, 1 interception)
