BLOOMINGTON – Ben Chappell’s first two appearances against Northwestern produced memorable, albeit totally different results.

In 2007, the quarterback came off the bench and threw one pass, which was intercepted and returned for a touchdown in a 31-28 Wildcats win.

Last year, Chappell knocked off Northwestern, which was ranked No. 22 in the BCS standings at the time, 21-19 by passing for 219 yards and one touchdown.

This year’s meeting, with possible bowl implications, could be the most important. The Hoosiers (4-3 overall, 1-2 Big Ten) and Wildcats (4-3, 1-2) play at noon Saturday in Evanston, Ill.

Chappell, a redshirt junior, said his preparation hasn’t changed much since that 2007 game.

“When I went up there to play,” he said, “I approached it like I was the starter then, too.”

Chappell visits Evanston this time as the Big Ten Co-offensive Player of the Week. He threw for a career-high 333 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-14 win against Illinois.

“It’s an honor for sure,” Chappell said, “but you have to move on to the next week now.”

Chappell is the first Hoosier to win the award since Kellen Lewis on Sept. 1, 2008.

“I thought Ben played a great football game. I thought being the co-offensive player of the week was a well-deserved honor,” IU coach Bill Lynch said. “He had control of that football game. That’s what we’re looking for in Ben. He’s not going to beat you with his legs, and he knows it. But he’s a smart football player.”

That’s something the opposition sees as well.

“He’s playing within the system,” Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said. “He’s throwing the intermediate ball really well, taking what the defense gives him, getting six to eight shots deep. Against Michigan and Illinois he hit a couple balls deep so you need to anticipate that sometimes on play-action.”

Chappell is third in the Big Ten with 237.7 passing yards a game (1,664 yards on the season) and fourth in completion percentage (.634) and total offense (230.4). He has eight touchdown passes but also seven interceptions, showing there’s still room to grow.

“Certain games, certain throws, I’m continuing to concentrate on ball security,” Chappell said. “When we don’t turn the ball over and the defense forces turnovers, we win games. It’s as simple as that.If we can hold onto the ball, we are going to win some games.”

Northwestern is second in the Big Ten with a plus-four turnover ratio. The Wildcats have 10 interceptions.

“They are a real disciplined defense,” Chappell said. “They’re mixing their coverages up a lot more this year than they have in the past.”

Note: Starting linebacker Will Patterson will miss the game with a hand injury he suffered against Illinois. Cornerback Donnell Jones, who started against the Illini, is out with an elbow injury.

lpope@jg.net