IU vs. OSU Preview Part 2

IU vs. OSU, October 21, 12:00 PM
ESPNU with Clay Matvick (play-by-play) and Brian Kinchen (expert analysis)

Scouting the Hoosiers
Indiana is 4-3 this season, 2-1 in the conference. They have wins against Western Michigan, at Ball State, at Illinois and at home against Iowa. IU has lost to Southern Illinois, Connecticut and Wisconsin. In the surprising win last week against #15/13 Iowa, Indian took the lead in the third quarter with a 23-yard pass from Kellen Lewis to James Hardy. Early in the third quarter, Iowa scored taking back the lead 28-24. Indiana was able to score on another Lewis-Hardy connection, taking back the lead for good. Safety Will Meyers stopped Iowa's last attempt, by intercepting the ball at the 15-yard line with less than three minutes to go. Indiana ran out the scoreboard and won 31-28. The Hoosiers average 109.7 yards on the ground and 216.6 yards in the air.

Quarterback
Red-shirt freshman Kellen Lewis has been the starter since the Wisconsin game. Junior Blake Powers was expected to take the helm again this year, but he only started two games. So far Lewis is 53% for 1138 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. He is coming off a great game, having completed 76% for 255 yards and three touchdowns against Iowa.

Running backs
Sophomore Marcus Thigpen is the starter with 202 yards and two touchdowns, but he is second to junior Josiah Sears, who has 225 yards and four touchdowns.

Receivers
Coach Hoeppner uses the spread offense, so the receivers see a lot of action. Leading this group is sophomore James Hardy with 291 yards and four touchdowns, three of those were against Iowa. Hardy had tried to play basketball and football, but he is now focusing on football. Backing him up is sophomore James Bailey and senior Jahkeem Gilmore at wide receiver. Indiana doesn't pass to the tight end much, but senior Matt O'Neal is available.

O-Line
At tackle are freshman Rodger Saffold and junior Charlie Emerson. At guard are sophomore Kyle Thomas and junior John Sandberg. At center is fifth year senior Justin Frye. Frye is the only returning starter.

Kickers
Sophomore Austin Starr handled kickoffs last year, and this year he will add field goals to his list of duties. So far he is 7 for 9 with a long of 46. Senior Tyson Beattie returns as the punter, and he is averaging 39.5 yards.

Linebackers
There is experience at this position, but only one started in a game last year. Indiana will occasionally put in two linebackers with five defensive backs, but when the OSU offense lines up with two backs, Indiana will be forced to make some changes. At middle is junior Adam McClurg, strong is sophomore Geno Johnson and at buck is red-shirt freshman Josh Bailey.

Defensive Backs
This unit has three returning starters. Junior corner Tracy Porter lead last year's team in interceptions, and this year he leads again, with three. At the other corner is junior Leslie Majors. Senior free safety Will Meyers leads the team with 46 tackles. At strong safety is red-shirt freshman Austin Thomas.

D-Line
There is only one returning starter in this unit, sophomore tackle Greg Brown. At the other spots is junior tackle Joe Kremer, red-shirt freshman end Jammie Kirlew and senior end Kenny Kendal. Kendal leads the team with 2.5 sacks.