IU starts at the ISU 17 and Lewis runs for about 1 on first down. Lewis throws incomplete, he was trying to hit Hardy. It's third and 9 now.
Lewis throws to Hardy again, but it is overthrown. IU decides to go for a field goal. Lewis has missed four passes in a row now, after starting 6 for 6. The field goal is good. Its 24-7 Hoosiers with less than 7 minutes to go in the half.
Not the best offensive series there. I bet the coaches wanted 7 points there instead of 3.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
ISU begins a drive deep in its own end again...
On first down, an ISU fumbled the ball forward and out of bounds for a loss of 6. It's second down and real long now at the ISU 3 yard line. The Hoosier D makes the play on a QB sneak for no-gain. Third down and real long...an ISU catch, but its short. ISU decides to punt on 4th and 1 on the ISU 18. The catch is being reviewed...officials say the ISU receiver didn't catch the ball. The punt is coming from their endzone.
The punt is shanked and it is marked at the ISU 17 yard line. It's a 14-yard punt.
No wonder the Hoosier D is having trouble with the ISU offense, they have been going with no huddle most of the game, according to the radio.
If you haven't noticed, I don't have satellite TV, which means I don't have Big Ten Network. And I'm not at the bar watching the game.
Purdue is up 31-14 on Toledo now. Bowling Green just scored to make it 20-0 over Minnesota.
The punt is shanked and it is marked at the ISU 17 yard line. It's a 14-yard punt.
No wonder the Hoosier D is having trouble with the ISU offense, they have been going with no huddle most of the game, according to the radio.
If you haven't noticed, I don't have satellite TV, which means I don't have Big Ten Network. And I'm not at the bar watching the game.
Purdue is up 31-14 on Toledo now. Bowling Green just scored to make it 20-0 over Minnesota.
A quick-strike offense...
would be an under-statement at this point in the game. There are "well over 30,000" in the house for the game. And the student section is almost full, according to the radio call.
Less than 10 minutes to go in the half. I wonder whether the offense can sustain this kind of pace.
On first down, a pass to Thigpen for no gain. On second down, the throw is to James Bailey for a first down. Lewis just misses on another long bomb to Nick Polk, it's his first incompletion. On second and long, the pass is deflected and incomplete. Third and 10, Lewis runs to the 49, but it is short of the first down. The Hoosiers punt and ISU takes the ball at their 9 yard line.
Auburn is leading Kansas St. 6-3 at halftime.
Less than 10 minutes to go in the half. I wonder whether the offense can sustain this kind of pace.
On first down, a pass to Thigpen for no gain. On second down, the throw is to James Bailey for a first down. Lewis just misses on another long bomb to Nick Polk, it's his first incompletion. On second and long, the pass is deflected and incomplete. Third and 10, Lewis runs to the 49, but it is short of the first down. The Hoosiers punt and ISU takes the ball at their 9 yard line.
Auburn is leading Kansas St. 6-3 at halftime.
The defense is going to get tired...
because the offense only needs one play to score.
ISU can't cover James Hardy. He's got two long touchdown catches and 153 yards receiving with three total catches. The kick-off went out of bounds again, ISU starts at the 35.
First down is a pitch outside for a gain of one. Maybe the defense is starting to figure these guys out. On second down, ISU is penalized for false start. It's second and 14. ISU gains almost nothing again on a quick pass. Third down and long...IU flushes the QB, who throws incomplete. ISU punts and the Hoosiers take the ball at the 34.
Cal just went up 21-14 on Tennessee on a punt return for a TD, I think. I just saw the replay of the Cal receiver running by a bunch of defenders for a TD.
ISU can't cover James Hardy. He's got two long touchdown catches and 153 yards receiving with three total catches. The kick-off went out of bounds again, ISU starts at the 35.
First down is a pitch outside for a gain of one. Maybe the defense is starting to figure these guys out. On second down, ISU is penalized for false start. It's second and 14. ISU gains almost nothing again on a quick pass. Third down and long...IU flushes the QB, who throws incomplete. ISU punts and the Hoosiers take the ball at the 34.
Cal just went up 21-14 on Tennessee on a punt return for a TD, I think. I just saw the replay of the Cal receiver running by a bunch of defenders for a TD.
IU offense back...that was quick
First quarter stats are available here.
First down for Kellen Lewis and the Hoosiers. He's thrown for 96 yards on 3 for 3 passing. Hardy makes the catch at the 30 for another TOUCHDOWN!!! He's got three catches, two for long touchdowns. The extra point is good...IU's up 21-7. Lewis is 4-4 for 175 yards passing.
First down for Kellen Lewis and the Hoosiers. He's thrown for 96 yards on 3 for 3 passing. Hardy makes the catch at the 30 for another TOUCHDOWN!!! He's got three catches, two for long touchdowns. The extra point is good...IU's up 21-7. Lewis is 4-4 for 175 yards passing.
Second quarter underway
ISU starts the quarter on its own 38 yard line. A stop here would be nice...
On first down a swing pass goes for about four yards. Second and six...another pass and catch for another first down on the ISU 49.
It wouldn't be good to get into a shoot-out with these guys. ISU loses 4 after a sack. Second and 14...another sack for a loss of 10. On third and long, ISU gets back to its 42, which forces a punt. IU takes the punt at the IU 21 yard line on a fair catch.
That was a good series for the defense. Just what they needed. Now the offense needs a good drive for a touchdown.
On first down a swing pass goes for about four yards. Second and six...another pass and catch for another first down on the ISU 49.
It wouldn't be good to get into a shoot-out with these guys. ISU loses 4 after a sack. Second and 14...another sack for a loss of 10. On third and long, ISU gets back to its 42, which forces a punt. IU takes the punt at the IU 21 yard line on a fair catch.
That was a good series for the defense. Just what they needed. Now the offense needs a good drive for a touchdown.
ISU starts deep in its own end
ISU goes for no gain on first down. A three-and-out here would be good for the defense and give the offense good field position. But ISU gains 7 or 8 on a second down pass. It's third and short, the crowd is getting louder, but ISU runs for a short gain and a first down.
The IU defense seems to be having problems with the speed of the ISU offense. They seem to be taking advantage of it by out-quicking the Hoosiers.
ISU has another first down and is nearing IU territory. The first quarter is over. IU 14-ISU 7.
The IU defense seems to be having problems with the speed of the ISU offense. They seem to be taking advantage of it by out-quicking the Hoosiers.
ISU has another first down and is nearing IU territory. The first quarter is over. IU 14-ISU 7.
The next Hoosier drive
Cal is back up on Tennessee 14-7.
IU takes the kick-off to the 25 after a mix-up on the kick-off. Two IU players ran into each other trying to catch it. The radio call indicates the kick was going out of bounds.
IU has the ball...first down is a run of 3 yards by Marcus Thigpen. Second down is a slant route pass, but a flag is down. It's pass interference against ISU and an IU first down. Now the ball is at the 43. First quarter nearing its end, we're under 4 minutes.
Thigpen gains 2 yards on a first down run. IU gets into ISU territory on a run for 6 by Josiah Sears. On third down Sears is stopped for no gain. It's fourth down and IU will punt. ISU gets the ball inside the 15 yard line after a 43-yard punt.
IU takes the kick-off to the 25 after a mix-up on the kick-off. Two IU players ran into each other trying to catch it. The radio call indicates the kick was going out of bounds.
IU has the ball...first down is a run of 3 yards by Marcus Thigpen. Second down is a slant route pass, but a flag is down. It's pass interference against ISU and an IU first down. Now the ball is at the 43. First quarter nearing its end, we're under 4 minutes.
Thigpen gains 2 yards on a first down run. IU gets into ISU territory on a run for 6 by Josiah Sears. On third down Sears is stopped for no gain. It's fourth down and IU will punt. ISU gets the ball inside the 15 yard line after a 43-yard punt.
The defense didn't get much rest...
IU has to kick-off from the 20-yard line after the penalty. ISU takes the kick to the 44, even though the ball landed inside the 20.
Scoreboard update:
Purdue leading Toledo 28-14
Bowling Green leading Minnesota 14-0
ISU starts the drive with an end-around and it gains 8. A hand-off up the middle gets them the first down. The defense is getting some pressure on the ISU quarterback. They forced him to throw it away on first down. ISU is trying to combat the pressure with little shovel passes out of spread sets. Another one of them gets the Sycamores inside the IU 30.
Another run gets ISU inside the 10 on a gain of 16. The IU defense knocks away a pass into the end-zone on first and goal from the 9. A QB sneak gets ISU to the 1 yard line. But it's third down. ISU quick counts...there's a fumble, but ISU picks it up and gets the TD. Extra point is good. It's 14-7.
Scoreboard update:
Purdue leading Toledo 28-14
Bowling Green leading Minnesota 14-0
ISU starts the drive with an end-around and it gains 8. A hand-off up the middle gets them the first down. The defense is getting some pressure on the ISU quarterback. They forced him to throw it away on first down. ISU is trying to combat the pressure with little shovel passes out of spread sets. Another one of them gets the Sycamores inside the IU 30.
Another run gets ISU inside the 10 on a gain of 16. The IU defense knocks away a pass into the end-zone on first and goal from the 9. A QB sneak gets ISU to the 1 yard line. But it's third down. ISU quick counts...there's a fumble, but ISU picks it up and gets the TD. Extra point is good. It's 14-7.
A one-play wonder
Tennessee just tied the game...it's 7-7.
The offense needs only one play, it's a 58-yard TD pass from Lewis to Hardy. IU gets flagged for excessive celebration after James gives some love to Coach Hep. He puts a knee down and lifts his hands toward the sky. Now it's 14-0.
The penalty will come on the kick-off.
The offense needs only one play, it's a 58-yard TD pass from Lewis to Hardy. IU gets flagged for excessive celebration after James gives some love to Coach Hep. He puts a knee down and lifts his hands toward the sky. Now it's 14-0.
The penalty will come on the kick-off.
Defense back on the field
IU's first drive took less than 3 minutes. ISU has the ball again. They start the drive around the 25 yard line. The first two plays yield 6, it's 3rd and 4. The pass is incomplete, and IU forces the punt.
Tracy Porter picks it up at the 40 and gets to the IU 42. The offense is back on the field.
Tracy Porter picks it up at the 40 and gets to the IU 42. The offense is back on the field.
Away we go...
I'm in college football heaven...I'm listening to the Hoosiers on the radio and there are a ton of games on cable that I'm watching at the same time. Georgia-Oklahoma State is on ESPN2 and Kansas State-Auburn is on ESPN. And Tennessee-Cal is now underway.
We're ready for kick-off. IU is kicking after ISU won the toss and took the ball. IU is wearing crimson jerseys and crimson pants.
Hep's widow and children appeared before the game as part of the tribute. According to the radio call, the scene was very emotional.
Here's the kick...it goes out of bounds. ISU takes the ball at the 35.
The first play for ISU is a gain of 6 on a four-wide-out formation. On second down, ISU false starts. The IU defense stopped them with no damage.
A phone call caused a delay, for which I apologize.
In the meantime, the Hoosiers took the ball back down the field, thanks in part to a pass interference penalty on a long pass intended for James Hardy. Marcus Thigpen ends up catching a TD pass from the Kellen Lewis. It's now 7-0.
We're ready for kick-off. IU is kicking after ISU won the toss and took the ball. IU is wearing crimson jerseys and crimson pants.
Hep's widow and children appeared before the game as part of the tribute. According to the radio call, the scene was very emotional.
Here's the kick...it goes out of bounds. ISU takes the ball at the 35.
The first play for ISU is a gain of 6 on a four-wide-out formation. On second down, ISU false starts. The IU defense stopped them with no damage.
A phone call caused a delay, for which I apologize.
In the meantime, the Hoosiers took the ball back down the field, thanks in part to a pass interference penalty on a long pass intended for James Hardy. Marcus Thigpen ends up catching a TD pass from the Kellen Lewis. It's now 7-0.
Let's play 13...
It all starts in about 90 minutes. The road to 13 begins with Indiana State at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Expect some updates here once the game begins. You can find the Internet gamecast here. Click on "2007 Gameday" on the right side of the page.
Hopefully the Hoosiers will fare better than Michigan.
Hopefully the Hoosiers will fare better than Michigan.
How could this happen?
Michigan did not start the season well today. They lost to Appalachian State, a D-1AA team, 34-32. Probably the worst part was they had a field goal attempt to win the game and had it blocked. Or maybe it was that they lost the game at home in the Big House. Looking at the box score, it's hard to see how Michigan lost. They ran up 479 total yards, including 188 from running back Mike Hart. Chad Henne threw for 233 with a touchdown and interception. Appalachian State was the D-1AA champ the last two years, so Michigan shouldn't have been considering this a blow-out game.
No rest for the weary, the Wolverines play Oregon next week in Ann Arbor.
No rest for the weary, the Wolverines play Oregon next week in Ann Arbor.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Big Ten opening day
All the Big Ten teams open their season Saturday. About half of the games will be one some network other than the Big Ten Network. The fun begins at noon: Michigan State plays UAB on ESPN2. Wisconsin will play Washington State at 3:30 p.m. on ABC and Illinois will play Missouri on ESPN2. ESPNU, the ESPN college sports channel, will have the Iowa-Northern Illinois and Purdue-Toledo games, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.
The other six games, including Indiana-Indiana State, will be on Big Ten Network, which still is not available on Comcast cable. The new channel launched Thursday.
Those of you who are outside Indiana and don't have access to the radio, I am planning some live blogging of the IU game. I don't have satellite TV, so I'm going to need some help from the Internet and radio broadcasts.
The other six games, including Indiana-Indiana State, will be on Big Ten Network, which still is not available on Comcast cable. The new channel launched Thursday.
Those of you who are outside Indiana and don't have access to the radio, I am planning some live blogging of the IU game. I don't have satellite TV, so I'm going to need some help from the Internet and radio broadcasts.
Are you ready...Part II
ESPN.com put it another installment of its NFL preview Thursday, this one about game film. Another decent read, it describes Matt Hasselbeck's routine, which includes film study with the team, and when he is at home in Seattle, with his TiVo.
There is an interesting anecdote the Seahawks' QB mentioned about how he noticed something about the Carolina defence that helped him in the 2006 NFC Championship game. By the way, the Seahawks won that game, but lost Super Bowl XL to the Steelers.
There is an interesting anecdote the Seahawks' QB mentioned about how he noticed something about the Carolina defence that helped him in the 2006 NFC Championship game. By the way, the Seahawks won that game, but lost Super Bowl XL to the Steelers.
The View from Fort Wayne
My office just got a web cam to show the downtown skyline. It also happens to be what I look at everyday when I'm not staring at the computer screen or talking on the phone. Today is such a perfect day (upper 70s, sunny and clear) that I thought you might like to see the view from Fort Wayne. The picture is refreshed every 15 seconds or so.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Are you ready...
The NFL season is nearing ever closer and ESPN.com has started its preview coverage. They had an interesting story today about the playbook, its importance to rookies and veterans as well as its complexity. It's an interesting read, but my favorite part was the pdf file of a snippet from the 2004 Arizona Cardinals playbook. The story challenged readers to read it and understand it, and I failed. Most of it, I'm sure, was because of the symbols and lingo that NFL insiders know and laypeople like me don't.
Enjoy...
Enjoy...
Monday, August 27, 2007
The 13th game
At 8-4, with a 4-4 conference record, IU should be in the middle of the Big Ten pack. Last year, it would have been 6th place. That means the Insight, Champs Sports, or Alamo Bowl. Who will they play? Who knows, but at least we'll have a game to watch in late December. The Alamo Bowl matched Big Ten and Big 12 last year, Champs Sports was ACC-Big Ten, and the Insight Bowl was Big 12-Big Ten.
Play 13? I think so... Part II-conference play
After a 3-0 start, the Hoosiers begin Big Ten play. We're halfway to a December or January game...
- Week 4 IU v. Illinois: Illinois was rated near the bottom of Division IA and Indiana should have no trouble exposing that. The game is at home and Illinois is not very good, but expected to be improved over last year's 2-10 effort. Ron Zook is a capable coach, but IU should have the edge in this game. IU 28, IL 14
- Week 5 IU v. Iowa: This will be IU toughest game of the season so far. The Hawkeyes are a tough team this year, and even tougher at home. ESPN prediced Iowa would bounce back from a 6-7 season to finish 10-2. Iowa will be too tough for the Hoosiers, even without Drew Tate. IU 17, Iowa 27.
- Week 6 IU v. Minnesota: It is the fourth home game of the first six. Minnesota is expected to be better this year as well. IU is going to have a chip on its shoulder after last year's embarassment. IU 35, Minn. 24. The team is 5-1.
- Week 7 IU v. Michigan State: The Hoosiers aren't ready for prime time yet, and I don't think a win in East Lansing is likely, even though Michigan State is expected to be down lower than they were last year. It's too much to hope for an MSU meltdown like against Notre Dame. IU 21, MSU 31.
- Week 8 IU v. Penn State: It's Homecoming and IU enters the game against the highly touted Nitnany Lions 5-2, one win from bowl eligibility. The sexy pick will be an upset here, but Joe Paterno is too good a coach. IU loses a heartbreaker 34-31. The bowl game will have to wait a week or two.
- Week 9 IU v. Wisconsin: IU is on a two-game losing streak and there is no help upcoming. The Hoosiers must travel to Madison to face the Badgers, who are expected to be a Rose Bowl contender and start the season #7. IU has had Wisconsin's number in before (upsets in 2001 and 2002) Unfortunately, the Hoosiers' losing streak hits three in a row. IU 14, Wisconsin 31.
- Week 10 IU v. Ball State: IU has dropped to 5-4 and there is some doubt in B-town. Enter our friends from Muncie, who have served as a wondeful season-opening whipping boy in the past. This team is different, with a hot quarterback that gave Michigan all it wanted last year. The Hoosiers take the game, and the bowl game invitation. Students storm the field as IU wins 35-21 and moves to 6-4.
- Week 11 IU v. Northwestern: The problem here is IU has to travel to Evanston, Ill. The good news is there are a lot of IU grads in the Chicago area. Northwestern is expected to be a bowl-eligible team this year because of a soft schedule, but that is a mask of their real talent. IU wins another surprisingly close game 28-21.
- Week 12 IU v. Purdue: The Battle for the Old Oaken Bucket. IU is looking for some revenge after losing in West Lafayette last year. And an 8th win would be the most since the Hoosiers last bowl appearance in 1993. Purdue is a good team and should have six or seven wins going into this game. In this game you throw out the records. The IU grad in me says IU will win it 31-28.
IU will finish 8-4, more than enough to get a bowl bid.
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