Indiana Hoosiers

Head Coach

Terry Hoeppner	4th year
07-08	7-6
Big Ten	3-5
FCR	61

Previous Season Wins

Head Coach - Bill Lewis enters his second season at Indiana after leading the Hoosiers to a seven win season and a bowl invite it would appear the program is headed in the right direction, well not exactly. Second team All-Big 10 QB Kellen Lewis missed the spring for team rule violations and key starters must be replaced upfront. But the Hoosiers do return a solid front seven on defense and the amusing Big 10 schedule is favorable and expectations in Bloomington are for Indiana to be bowl bound once again.

Quarterback - Kellen Lewis was outstanding last season, he threw for 3,043 yards and 28 TD’s while adding 736 yards rushing and nine scores. Indiana is going to a no-huddle attack and if Lewis is under center his skills are a perfect fit and the Hoosiers could have an even more potent attack this fall. Sophomore Ben Chappell will get the call if Lewis doesn’t return, he showed this spring that he’s got a live accurate arm and although not the runner that Lewis is he’s capable of guiding the offense.

Running Backs - Lewis was the teams leading rusher last fall but there’s talent and depth at the running back position. Senior Marcus Thigpen rushed for 568 yards and gets to the second level quickly, junior Bryan Payton is a between the tackle runner who scored four times last season and incoming freshman Darius Willis is a power back who could contend.

Receivers - Indiana losses All-Big 10 receiver James Hardy and his 79 receptions but juniors Andrew Means and Ray Fisher both return. They combined for 100 receptions for 1,041 yards and four scores. Sophomore Terrance Turner will start at the other outside spot and at tight end will be either junior Troy Wagner or redshirt freshman Max Dedmond.

Offensive Line - Indiana will feature the youngest O-Line in the Big-10 as they return only two junior starters and they’ll be on the left side with Roger Safford at tackle and Pete Saxon at guard. They’ll be breaking in three sophomores with Alex Perry at center, Mike Stark at right tackle and at right guard Cody Faulkner. They’ll struggle at times, but with Lewis behind the center he can often bail them out.

Defensive Line - Seven starters return on defense and upfront they return three led by 1st team All-Big 10 defensive end Greg Middleton, the junior led the nation with 16 sacks and on the other side Jammie Kirlew and Ryan Marando combined for 9 ½ more. At defensive tackle senior Greg Brown is a returning starter who had 50 tackles and is solid against the run, look for junior Kevin Burris and sophomore Deonte Mack to be in the rotation at nose tackle.

Linebackers - On the outside at the strongside will be senior Geon Johnson and on theweakside junior Will Patterson both return, they’re solid against the run and combined for 178 tackles last season. The new man in the middle will be junior Matt Mayberry who’s been primarily a special team contributor for the Hoosiers

Defensive Backs - Defensively the primary concern for Indiana is at cornerback, they were 81st against the pass and will be breaking in two new corners. Senior Christopher Phillips, junior Bruce Hampton, sophomore Adrian Burks and redshirt freshman Donnell Jones will battle it out for the starting assignments. Both free safety Nick Polk and strong safety Austin Thomas return, they’re both juniors and Thomas led the team with 112 tackles and Polk added two interceptions.

Special Teams - Austin Starr is one of the nations best at placekicker; he was a Groza finalist and connected on 21 of his 23 attempts last season. At punter redshirt freshman Chris Hagerup has tentatively claimed the job coming out of spring practice. Marcus Thigpen led the nation in kickoff returns in 06’ and is capable of going the distance at any moment.

Schedule - Even for the Big 10 this schedule is soft, if they can hold serve at home they should be 6-0 when they travel to Illinois on October 18th. If Lewis returns and they defense makes some progress the Hoosiers can expect to be bowl bound this season. Eight home games and not having to face Ohio St or Michigan are big pluses, look for Indiana to improve on last season mark and get 7+ wins this fall.