Indiana signed on for two more years of the Crossroads Classic this week. It’s a move, coach Tom Crean said, that changes some non-conference scheduling.“We’re going to play a neutral game in Indianapolis.BLOOMINGTON – With an offense that features quarterback Ben Chappell, receivers Tandon Doss and Damarlo Belcher and running back Darius Willis, Indiana has the potential to score a lot of points.
The question is who will step up on the Hoosiers’ defense to prevent points.
“We have some unknown guys that some of our fans and even our opponents don’t know about (on defense),” IU coach Bill Lynch said after the first practice of the year Friday, “but there are some pretty good football players to go along with guys like Ben and Tandon and Damarlo and Darius.”
The Hoosiers let chances for road wins at Michigan and Northwestern slip away late, leading to a 4-8 record last season.
Here’s an overview of the 2010 team looking to live up to the new team slogan “finish.”
Quarterback
Chappell received honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition last year. A team captain in 2009, Chappell completed 268 of 428 passes (62.6 percent). He threw 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
Dusty Kiel and Edward Wright-Baker are battling for the No. 2 spot, which will also include seeing time in the wildcat formation.
Running back
The ground game starts with Willis. He rushed for 607 yards and six touchdowns. The key will be if he can remain healthy. Willis appeared in nine games, making six starts.
Wide receiver
Doss, North Side graduate Belcher and Terrance Turner headline one of the best receiving groups in the Big Ten.
Doss earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from the media after catching 77 passes for 962 yards and five touchdowns.
Belcher also had five touchdown receptions. He caught 61 passes for 770 yards. Turner makes the tough catches over the middle.
Freshman Duwyce Wilson joins gives Chappell another target.
Offensive line and tight ends
Solidifying the offensive line will be one of the early camp stories to watch.
Lynch pointed to tackle James Brewer, center Will Matte and guards Cody Faulkner and Justin Pagan as key guys up front.
Tight end Max Dedmond caught 18 passes for 141 yards last season.
Defensive line
The Hoosiers will use a 4-3 base, but will shift into a 3-4 scheme from time to time.
The strength of the defense, according to Lynch, is the tackles. Adam Replogle, Nick Sliger, Larry Black and Bishop Dwenger’s Mick Mentzer will see time there.
Replogle will also be shifted to end, where he joins Fred Jones and Deonte Mack. On the other end, Darius Johnson, Javon Cornley and Kevin Bush are competing for the starting spot.
Linebackers
Tyler Replogle anchors the unit. He made 80 tackles last year. Lynch is high on junior college transfer Jeff Thomas. He will compete with junior Leon Beckum for one of the linebacker positions. Chad Sherer and Damon Sims are at the other linebacker spot.
Secondary
IU has plenty of options and will utilize them on occasion in nickel-and-dime packages.
Matt Ernst and Mitchell Evans come over from wide receiver and will play cornerback and safety, respectively.
Bishop Luers graduate Lawrence Barnett, Adrian Burks and Richard Council will all be rotated in at cornerback. Chris Adkins, Donnell Jones and Jarrell Drane are in the mix along with Evans at safety.
Special teams
Nick Freeland and Mitch Ewald will compete for the starting duties at kicker. Chris Hagerup will punt.
Doss will be the main weapon for returns.
