Indiana University

  • Racers drop, but stay in Top 25
    What to do with Murray State?That was one question I grappled with as I compiled my top 25 vote Sunday night.The Racers suffered their first loss of the season Thursday against Tennessee State.
  • Zeller helps IU run away from Illini in second half
    BLOOMINGTON – Meyers Leonard stood near Indiana's basket, dazed.
  • Centers of attention
    Two of the top young big men in the Big Ten meet in Bloomington tonight.Indiana freshman Cody Zeller leads the No. 23 Hoosiers against sophomore Meyers Leonard and Illinois. The game begins at 8 p.m.
Advertisement

Illinois at Indiana

Chappell

When: 7 p.m. today

Where: Memorial Stadium, (52,692/FieldTurf), Bloomington

TV: Big Ten Network

Radio: 100.1 FM

Line: Illinois by 3

Records: Indiana 3-3, 0-2 Big Ten; Illinois 1-4, 0-3

Series: Illinois leads 43-21-2

On the Web: For video preview of the Illinois game, go to “Eyeing IU” at www.journalgazette.net

Indiana

Offensive statistics

Points per game: 22.3 (95th in NCAA)

Yards per game: 348.8 (80th)

Passing yards per game: 226 (53rd)

Rushing yards per game: 122.8 (T-89th)

Defensive statistics

Points per game: 28.2 (87th)

Yards per game: 370.5 (70th)

Passing yards per game: 233.8 (83rd)

Rushing yards per game: 136.7 (65th)

Keys

Top 3 offensive players: Ben Chappell, QB, has thrown for 1,331 yards and five touchdowns this season; Tandon Doss, WR, leads the team with 41 catches for 546 yards; Damarlo Belcher, WR, 26 catches, 288 yards, one touchdown

Top 3 defensive players: Jammie Kirlew, DE, leads the team with 4 1/2 sacks; Matt Mayberry, LB, leads the team with 43 tackles; Greg Middleton, DE, has three sacks

Key to victory: IU has to get back to running the ball effectively. The Hoosiers rushed for just 100 yards total in the last two games. If Darius Willis is out, that means Demetrius McCray, Trea Burgess and Bryan Payton will carry the load.

Injury: DE Darius Johnson (shoulder), DE Fred Jones (foot), LB Leon Beckum (ankle), DT Jarrod Smith (back), DB Chris Adkins (elbow), RB Zach Davis-Walker (foot) out; OL Pete Saxon (ankle), RB Darius Willis (ankle) questionable

Illinois

Offensive statistics

Points per game: 17 (111th in NCAA)

Yards per game: 341.6 (84th)

Passing yards per game: 174 (100th)

Rushing yards per game: 167 (45th)

Defensive statistics

Points per game: 28.6 (91st)

Yards per game: 408.6 (104th)

Passing yards per game: 223 (70th)

Rushing yards per game: 185.6 (104th)

Keys

Top 3 offensive players: Juice Williams, QB, started first four games, has two passing touchdowns, four interceptions, .547 completion percentage; Eddie McGee, QB, started last week, one touchdown, three interceptions, .512 completion percentage; Arrelious Benn, WR, 13 catches, 176 yards

Top 3 defensive players: Ian Thomas, LB, 38 tackles; Tavon Wilson, CB, 36 tackles, one interception; Doug Pilcher, DE, two sacks

Key to victory: Benn had a big day against IU last season (seven catches, 130 yards, one touchdown). He had almost as many catches in that game as he has had this season. Illinois needs to figure out the quarterback situation and find a way to get the ball in Benn’s hands.

Injury: DB Garrett Edwards (neck) questionable

lpope@jg.net

– LaMond Pope, The Journal Gazette