Indiana began the season with 12 consecutive victories.But coach Tom Crean said IU is a better team now than they were after capturing that 12th straight victory Dec. 22 against Maryland-Baltimore County.The No.BLOOMINGTON – Indiana receivers Damarlo Belcher and Tandon Doss lined up wide on opposite ends during a 7-on-7 drill Monday.
Quarterback Ben Chappell looked to his left and fired a pass in Belcher’s direction. Using his entire 6-foot-5 frame, the wide receiver made a nice diving catch.
It’s a play the North Side graduate said he might not have made last season.
“I want to work on my consistency,” Belcher said after practice. “That’s the thing I struggled on last year. I was good sometimes, and I was bad sometimes. My coach (wide receivers coach Billy Lynch) says sometimes I play like a freshman and sometimes I play like a Big Ten all-conference (player).
“… Last year, I didn’t want to work hard, and that’s why I wasn’t so consistent. Now I have the work ethic so I’m going to be much better this year.”
Indiana expects larger contributions from Belcher and Doss. The sophomores were two of three Hoosiers (offensive lineman Justin Pagan was the other) to play last season as true freshmen.
Belcher had 25 catches for 337 yards and two touchdowns. The 6-foot-3 Doss made 14 catches for 186 yards and a touchdown.
“The older players are counting on me and Tandon. We played a little bit our freshmen year, we did some good things our freshmen year. They are looking for us to carry that over this year,” Belcher said. “When both of us are on the field, it’s hard (for opponents). Either way we go, it’s good.”
Doss said getting the chance to play last year taught him how fast the college game is, and he thinks the experience will aid him this season.
“I’m able to come out here with confidence, know what I’ve got to do and do it,” Doss said.
Belcher played in all 12 games a year ago. Shoulder and knee injuries limited Doss to eight games.
“It was pretty tough for me. I got down a little bit,” Doss said of the setbacks. “But the Northwestern game picked me up a lot. It helped my confidence and get back on top.”
Doss and Belcher showed their potential Oct. 25 against the Wildcats. Doss caught eight passes for 107 yards and a touchdown. Belcher made six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown in the 21-19 win. Northwestern was No. 22 in the BCS at the time.
“I think they can both be really special. They both have got great hands and they both really go up and get the ball,” Chappell said. “They don’t wait on the ball, and that’s very comforting to a quarterback. When I’m throwing the ball to Damarlo, I know he’s going to go up and get it. Tandon is going to come meet the pass. I feel really comfortable throwing to those guys. I’m excited.”
Note: IU coach Bill Lynch and his staff have joined Twitter. They can be followed at www.twitter.com/HoosierFootball.
