Freshman begins career with success

Freshman cornerback Tracy Porter couldn't have written a better opening chapter to his career as a Hoosier. \nMost of IU's true freshmen didn't even see the playing field Saturday, but Porter lit it up.\nHe intercepted Central Michigan quarterback Grant Arnoldink's pass early in the game to set up the Hoosiers' first touchdown, a 5-yard run from sophomore running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis. \nHaving one interception in your first college game is an accomplishment in itself, but Porter didn't stop there. In the midst of Central Michigan's opening drive of the second half, Porter ended all hopes of a close game. \nJunior linebacker Kyle Killion hit Arnoldink as he threw the ball, and Porter stepped in front of the receiver to make the pick. \nThe rest was a formality. \nPorter, who ran a 10.4 in the 100 meters in high school, coasted the measly 96-yards for the touchdown, putting the Hoosiers up 27-3 following senior Adam Braucher's extra point. \nPorter's two interceptions in a single game has not occurred since Greg Yeldell in 1998, and his 96-yard return was the fourth longest in school history.\nPorter said he was only hoping for playing time -- something he should see more of this weekend.\n"It feels good," Porter said. "Since I am a freshman, you don't expect to be put in this position. But I was put in this position and am getting playing time, and I just want to go out there and make plays."\nThe hype coming into the season opener was targeted mainly toward the offense. That depth of talent was overshadowed Saturday by a defense that made big plays when they needed to, including Porter.\n"The defense was amazing tonight," junior running back Chris Taylor said. "They went out there and they were fired up. They really helped out a lot, especially scoring a touchdown. That really helped keep us up."\nPorter, a Port Allen, La., native, was a jack-of-all-trades on his high school football team. He played quarterback, running back and wide receiver. \nBut that was just offense. He recorded 93 tackles and 11 interceptions, two of which went for touchdowns, as a senior on defense. As if that were not enough, he also returned two punts and two kickoffs each for touchdowns. Porter had only played two years of organized football before coming to IU.\nIU coach Gerry DiNardo said Porter only has room to improve, and it was good he started off on the right foot.\n"That was a good play, but he's got a lot to learn," DiNardo said. "Troy Douglas, his coach, felt like he was ready to play. Tracy certainly did look like he played well tonight. That (second interception) was probably the play of the game, momentum-wise."\nPorter said he is ready to back up his opening performance this Saturday at Oregon.\n"It felt good, great," Porter said. "I loved it, and I'm waiting on the Oregon game now to see if I can be put in the same position and have the same results."\n-- Contact staff writer David Paulen at dpaulen@indiana.edu.