Reflections on the Ball State victory

I took the picture in the previous post from the Club Level at Memorial Stadium. Thanks to my wife, who procured the tickets, we were able to make the trip back to B-town for the game. I must say the press box is an impressive place to watch a football game.

Not only is it enclosed, but has plush seats much more suitable than the benches in the grandstand and a free food buffet. There were several TVs in our section, one showing essentially what appears on the scoreboard video screen, another showing ESPN and a third showing Big Ten Network. And speakers posted at several places allowed us to listen to the IU football radio call.

They were not luxury boxes, but I preferred this set-up to a luxury box.

My only complaint was that I felt separated from the rest of the fans. It didn't seem polite to clap along with IU fight song and it was difficult to hear the band when they played. There were cheers for touchdowns and defensive stops, but it didn't seem the same as when I used to sit outside in the student section.

It still was a wonderful experience. I would highly recommend it.

Note: The picture above is of the construction project at Memorial Stadium, which will enclose the north end of the grandstand. I took this one as well.

IU football turning the corner

The Indiana Hoosiers play Northwestern Saturday in Evanston, Ill. For the first time in many years, an IU football game in November will have significant meaning. Check out this interesting story that marries the importance of the game with the heartache both teams have shouldered.

A lot is on the line for both teams. The Hoosiers (6-4) became bowl eligible for the first time since 1994 last weekend. They beat Ball State 38-20 in Bloomington to guarantee at least a .500 record. In '94, the team beat Purdue on the last week of the season to finish 6-5, but received no bowl bid. A win against the Wildcats would guarantee a 7-5 record, which puts them in much better position for that 13th game.

The Wildcats also are looking to get bowl eligible. At 5-5, the team needs to win their last two games to get to 7-5. Ten of the 11 Big Ten teams are .500 or better, meaning they all have a chance to become bowl eligible. The Big Ten has only seven bowl tie-ins and once those are gone, it is probably just dumb luck if a Big Ten team gets a bid.

This is the week for the Hoosiers to get win seven. I wouldn't want to go into the Bucket game with the additional pressure of needing a win to get a bowl bid. Northwestern is coming off two loses in a row, at Purdue and against Iowa. They beat Michigan State by two in East Lansing and Minnesota by one at home.

Northwestern has given up more points than it has scored overall this season. They score about 26 points per game and give up slightly more than 30. If the Hoosiers can get the offense going, especially early, they should have a good chance of winning, even though the game is on the road. IU averages more than 32 points per game and has given up about 27 a game.

Once again the key will be turnovers. Against Ball State IU started slow and got behind quickly because of two turnovers, including an interception on the first play of the game.

The IU defense has been playing well lately. They shut down Ball State after the early turnovers, only giving up 10 points in the first quarter while the IU offense got into rhythm. Then in the second quarter, the defense shut out the Cardinals, while the Hoosiers scored 21 points and took control.

In their six wins, the Hoosiers are giving up less than 20 points a game and scoring more than 41. However, in their four loses, the average is reversed -- the Hoosiers give up 37 points per game and score only less than 19. Minimal mistakes from Kellen Lewis and James Hardy and some quality defense should go a long way to get IU win number seven. That would be the most since 1993, when the team was 8-3 and lost in the Independence Bowl.

Interesting reading

For those who read this blog (all two of you), you all know that I'm a reporter. As it is my craft, I enjoy reading newspapers. Today's Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette had an interesting story by my friend Dan Stockman. He interviewed a convicted murderer in jail in Michigan City and wrote this, which ran today.

It was an impressive piece that reflected the research and all the work Stockman did. Give it a read, it is divided into several short chapters that make it much more readable.

Is my wife a football widow?

If you have read this blog on more than one occasion, you probably know that I like football. Especially the brand played by the Indiana Hoosiers, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Chicago Bears. I watch a lot of of football. I pace. I scream at the television. I read newspaper sports pages and Internet sites. I discuss the game with friends and colleagues.

My wife of four weeks likes football, too. She follows the University of Michigan and the New England Patriots. Having attended Michigan, she knows how passionate football fans can be and what it means to live and die with a team. But she doesn't take it to that extreme.

Usually on Sundays if I'm watching either the Steelers or the Bears, she spends the afternoon in another room. Most of the time it is watching another TV show or reading. Today she let me stay home and watch the end of the Bears loss to the Lions while she did the grocery shopping. But I spent that time completing household chores while watching the game.

Have I made my wife a football widow? Is it wrong that I'm passionate about my teams and show it? I would contend the answer is No. I don't completely ignore my wife on Sundays or during Saturday college games. We still talk while I am watching the games. I don't invite friends over to our place, nor do I go to bars, to watch games. And I rarely attend games in person. I just like to watch football, like millions of Americans. My wife does not appear to be annoyed by our routine and I don't feel like I'm as wrapped up in the game as I could be. Have I made her a football widow?

They're storming the field?

This has come up several times during the past few years. When is it acceptable to storm the field or court?

Iowa fans just stormed the field after beating Michigan State in double overtime 34-27. The Hawkeyes moved their record to 4-5 and 2-4 in the Big Ten. That is not a reason to rush the field and celebrate if you ask me.

If Indiana finally wins its sixth game next week and becomes bowl eligible, I would allow the students to rush the field. Beat the number one team in the country, you can rush the field or court.

Other scenarios where storming the field or court is acceptable:

1. Win the national championship
2. Break a losing streak that stretches over many years
3. Win a conference tournament to gain a berth in the NCAA basketball tournament
4. Go to the Final Four

Any other acceptable situations?

It's finally over...

Wisconsin decided to run up the score. They put another into the end zone to make it 33-3 with less than 1 minute to go.

Lewis threw another interception just as the clock was running out, raising the turnover total to 5. Hardy also made another catch to bring his total to four catches for 17 yards. Maybe a game in Bloomington will help get the team back on track. The losing streak now is three.

Another disappointment

The Hoosiers didn't look much like a bowl team again today. The Wisconsin Badgers didn't appear all that dominant either, but IU kept making mistakes. After 4 turnovers, the latest coming early in the fourth quarter, IU found itself down 21. During my days as an IU student, that was our cue to leave.

Once again, the defense kept them in the game, but the offense could not get anything going. At the start of the fourth, IU made its deepest penetration of the game, to the Wisconsin 26 yard line. And the next play, Kellen Lewis fumbled the ball. They had the same problem against Penn State -- every time the offense seemed to get something going, it would be abruptly halted by a turnover.

With just under 10 minutes left, it's still 24-3. IU has 196 total yards. Lewis has thrown for only 96 yards and James Hardy has three catches for 9 yards. That is not going to get it done against anybody. Here's a link to a photo on ESPN.com, which is from AP.

It looks like we'll be waiting a full month to get bowl eligible. The next attempt will be at home against Ball State.

Update: Wisconsin just kicked another field goal -- it's 27-3 now.

Atmosphere is part of the game

The World Series is moving to Denver, where it will probably end. The Red Sox won the first two games in Boston this week, showing the American League was much better than the entire National League this year. Playing the Red Sox is very different from beating the Phillies and D-Backs. Youth doesn't always win championships.


I was lucky enough to be in Boston this summer for a few days. Jenni and I did the Fenway Park tour while we were there. It was fun, especially with our tour guide, who knew everything about the team and the stadium, and maybe even witnessed a lot of the events he was telling stories about.

I took this picture during the tour while sitting in the some of the most expensive seats in the house. It's a nice view of the stadium and behind us was the club lounge, available only the those with tickets in that section.

My only complaint about the tour was we didn't get to walk on the field or around the dugouts. But it looked like the grounds crew was working that day.

The real season is about to begin

Even though the college football season is life just about everywhere in the Big Ten, many Hoosier fans still use it as a attention-holder until November, when we begin heading to Assembly Hall instead of Memorial Stadium.

The first ESPN Coaches basketball poll was released today and IU is number 9, just behind Michigan State. North Carolina was number 1, but UCLA received two more first place votes.

If phone-gate doesn't bring the team down, it is going to be the D.J. White show. White is a senior, an pre-season All-American, and the unquestioned leader of the team. Eric Gordon is going to be a big focus, but it is White who must shoulder the load.

A.J. Ratliff and Lance Stemler also must play consistently throughout the season. The first exhibition game is a week from Sunday (Nov. 4) against North Alabama.

The season begins Nov. 12 against Chattanooga, followed by the Chicago Invitational Challenge around Thanksgiving and then the Big Ten-ACC challenge against Georgia Tech.

Of course, for all us non-satellite subscribers ... will we see any of these games? Big Ten Network and Comcast still don't have a deal.

For those two people who actually read this blog -- is IU ranked correctly? Too high or too low ... What do you think?

I'm back...let's go IU

After several weeks dealing with wedding and honeymoon issues, I'm back. And upon my return to the U.S. after missing two weeks, I find the Hoosiers still are one game from being bowl eligible, although at least one reporter thinks 7-5 would give the team a much better chance to play 13 than 6-6.

IU travels to Wisconsin this week to play a Badgers team that has been overrated and has trouble stopping high-powered offenses. Illinois beat them 31-26 even though Wisconsin ran up 519 total yards and Penn State white-washed them 38-7. The Badgers also had trouble with UNLV, gave up 31 points to the Citadel, and gave up 34 to Michigan State. They are coming off a thumping of Northern Illinois, which probably was more of a vacation than a football game.

The Hoosiers have played well against Wisconsin in the past and certainly have a good chance to win this game. It's going to come down to turnovers and Kellen Lewis. If Lewis can hang on to the ball and make some good throws, particularly to James Hardy, the Hoosiers should hang around. Lewis and Hardy had Penn State beat if not for the field goals the offense gave away with second half turnovers.

Defense also will be a big issue. At some point, the Hoosiers are going to have to stop somebody if they are going to win a big game.

This is the "statement" game that can show the pundits, and bowl committees the Hoosiers are for real.

Big disappointment

IU may have been the underdog, but they easily could have won this game. Turnovers killed almost every promising drive in the game. The offense never got off the mat in the first half. This was one of the games IU had to win to get bowl eligible.

The Hoosiers are 3-1 now, 0-1 in the Big Ten. They had 403 total yards. But if you keep giving Illinois a short field, the points will be scored without having to move the ball a whole lot.

The schedule does not get any easier. Next week, IU travels to Iowa and then plays Minnesota in Bloomington. And now the Ball State game doesn't look like a layup, given their performance today against Nebraska in Lincoln. Amazing how one loss can change your tune. But I will try to remain hopefull they can bounce back.

Two scores down

Lewis runs on first down to the 5. It's a first down and the clock stops. IU lines up and Lewis spikes the ball. 1:17 left.

Lewis throws into the end zone and its intercepted. Game over.

Illinois has the ball again

They are trying to run the clock. First down is a run for a couple yards. 4:20 to go.

Second and 8, its a short gain. Third down and 4. IU calls time out. The defense stops them. Punt upcoming, but the clock is running...

The punt goes out of bounds at the 20. First down Indiana. Lewis throws to Walker-Roby for a gain of 7. Lewis throws to Payton for a first down. He stepped out of bounds. First down. Lewis throws incomplete. Second and 10 from the 31. Lewis throws incomplete again. Third and 10. Lewis throws incomplete. Fourth down. 2:41 to go. Lewis runs for the first down and is tackled near midfield.

On first down Lewis throws incomplete. Second and 10. Lewis throws deep and incomplete. Third down. Lewis hits Sears for the first down near the Illinois 38. He got out of bounds. About 2 minutes to go. On first down, Thigpen runs for a few yards up the middle. Lewis throws to Bailey for a first down again at the 25. 1:41 to go.

Lewis throws to Hardy for a 9-yard completion and IU calls time out. They are at the Illinois 25 now.

Nebraska has closed to 37-35.

More IU offense

The ball is at the IU 38. First and 10 after Illinois' third turnover. 5:24 to go. IU has three timeouts.

Lewis throws to Brandon Walker-Roby, who gets into Illinois territory. From the Illinois 40, Lewis throws incomplete on first down. Second and 10. Lewis rolls right and fumbles, but IU keeps the ball. It's a loss back to the Illinois 47. Third and 17. Under 5 minutes. Lewis throws incomplete, bringing up fourth and long.

They have to go for it. Lewis throws incomplete. Turnover on downs. That may do it, barring a miracle.

Where was that in the third quarter?

IU doesn't try the on-side kick. It goes into the end zone. First down for Illinois at the 20. Williams keeps and is stopped for no gain. Second down is a pitch for a big gain into IU territory. A 39-yard gain on an option play. We've seen that before...

On first down, another run for 3 yards. Clock is running. Second down is a QB keeper for 2 more. Third and 5. The defense forces a fumble and recovers. Some life now?

Ball St. leads Nebraska 37-28 in the fourth quarter now.

After a good return

IU is trying to move the ball. It's inside the Illinois 30 now. Second down after a loss on a running play. Lewis throws incomplete in the end zone. Third down and 10. Lewis throws to James Bailey who dives into the end zone for a TOUCHDOWN!. With the extra point, Illinois leads 27-14. Under 8 minutes to go.

Hope now with the defense

The defense may need to get a turnover for a touchdown to keep IU in the game.11:44 to go.

On first down, Illinois gets no gain. Second and 10. Another hand-off is a loss of 4. Third and long. The gain is only a few. Illinois will punt. Can the offense get something going?

Ball State took the lead against Nebraska again: 31-28.

Need a score right now

For any chance, IU has to score on this drive. There's less than 13 minutes to go in the game and IU is down 3 scores.

IU will start from the 31 yard line. Lewis throws incomplete on first down. Lewis throws incomplete again. Third down. Illinois is really trying to pressure Lewis now. He has had defensive guys in his face all day. Lewis is sacked. Fourth down. The punt is taken near the 30.

IU with the ball to start the fourth quarter

Nebraska just took the lead over Ball State with a touchdown.

Meanwhile, IU has the ball, first and 10 on its own 18. We're getting close to must-score time.

Lewis runs, but only gets 2. Second and 8. Lewis throws to Hardy, who catches it and fumbles. Illinois recovers the fumble. Hope is fading here. IU has 4 turnovers.

Illinois has the ball at the IU 27. One more score and it may be over. The first down play is a hand-off for 7 yards. Second and 3. Another run, and it is a first down at the IU 17. Another run, this one for 4 yards. Second and 6. Williams runs the option and pitches. It goes for another first down at the IU 6. A touchdown could put the game away. They only need one more play. Touchdown. With the extra point, Illinois leads 27-7.

Illinois in IU territory

On first down, it's a gain of three to the 41. Second down. Williams throws incomplete. The receiver was open, but he did not catch the ball. Third down. Williams throws incomplete again. Fourth down.

The Illinois offense has sputtered, but IU can't take advantage so far. How big is that TD right at the end of the first half.

The punt goes out of bounds at the 3. Lewis gives to Sears on first down for a gain of 2. Sears gets the ball again and runs for a first down. Third quarter is over. Illinois is still up 20-7.