Spartan Showdown

A new season and a new focus have come for the IU football team as it begins Big Ten action Saturday against the 1-2 Michigan State Spartans. The Hoosiers (2-1) seek to avenge both last week's 51-32 loss against the Kentucky Wildcats and their inability to defeat MSU in the last two seasons.\nSaturday's game will also mark IU's attempt to capture the Old Brass Spittoon from the Michigan State Spartans for the first time since the 2001 upset of the then-No. 22 Spartans. IU coach Gerry DiNardo said this game will be especially difficult for the Hoosiers as the Spartans will bring a balanced attack to Memorial Stadium. \n"There isn't any one concern that's out," DiNardo said. "If you want to start with the special teams, they ran back a kickoff for a touchdown and blocked a punt, so that's a concern. Offensively, they do so many different things with the spread offense. Defensively they are very physical. All three are a concern."\nAfter the 19-point spanking IU received at the hands of Kentucky, some wonder whether the Hoosiers will be able to put the loss behind them. However, IU senior Jodie Clemons said the team does not have the time to worry about the previous loss when going up against a team that has outscored the Hoosiers by a margin of 63 points in the last two seasons.\n"Our goal is still attainable. We lost one game, and you can't dwell on that," Clemons said. "We're going against a team that has put up 87 points on us in the past two years, so we've got enough challenges to worry about other than what happened to us this past Saturday."\nMSU has proven to be quite a challenge for the Hoosiers in recent years, but last season's 31-3 loss can be attributed to the arm of MSU's then-senior quarterback Jeff Smoker. Smoker rocked the Hoosiers by completing 32 of 40 passes for 351 yards and two touchdowns. \nEven with the departure of Smoker, IU secondary coach Curt Mallory said the Hoosier defense will still have to watch out for a potent passing game. The MSU offense brings a talented corps of receivers into the mix, with three players logging over 100 yards in receiving. Junior wide receiver Kyle Brown leads the team with 176 yards while senior tight end Eric Knott and junior Matt Trannon logged 128 and 104 yards, respectively. \n"They're a very talented football team," Mallory said. "They're very well balanced with a big offensive line and very skilled wide receivers. Their wide receivers are especially dangerous because there are two or three of them that you have to be aware of at all times on the field." \nWhile the Spartans' talent is unquestionable coming into the game, DiNardo said there are many variables on MSU's offense. One of the largest questions comes from who will start as Michigan State's playcaller as sophomore Drew Stanton, freshman Stephen Reaves and senior Damon Dowdell are all vying for the starting spot.\nAnother possible variable will be MSU's offensive pass/run frequency. \n"Going into the Michigan State game, we don't know how much the quarterback will run the ball," DiNardo said. "My guess is Michigan State is going to see if they are having success running the ball. (Drew) Stanton is coming off of knee surgery. They have some issues on their side as well. They could have three different quarterbacks playing. Whoever is playing quarterback will make a difference on what they want to do."\nOn IU's side of the ball, DiNardo repeatedly stressed improvement of tackling as a goal for this week after the defense's poor performance in the 51-32 loss against Kentucky last Saturday. DiNardo sought to correct the fundamentals, including the ability for IU defenders to stay on their feet and not get "pancaked" by the opposing blockers.\n"Obviously we didn't tackle very well against Kentucky," DiNardo said. "We have to do a better job teaching tackling and protection against the cut block. Those two things happened to us way too many times Saturday. We also got knocked off our feet too much."\nDespite last week's loss and IU's inability to beat the Spartans in recent campaigns, there are some bright spots for the Hoosiers. IU has been able to put up more than 30 points at each of this season's contests. This marks the first time since the 2000 season that the Hoosiers have been able to put up so many points in subsequent games. IU has been able to put up points behind the arm of senior quarterback Matt LoVecchio. LoVecchio had a good outing against Kentucky, completing 12 of 24 passes for 236 yards. \nWhile the Hoosiers seek to start off the Big Ten season with a win for the first time since the 2000 season, IU players remain optimistic that they can start out the 'new season' with a bang.\n"The team's excited because I feel like we've got something to prove after last week's effort," sophomore safety Will Meyers said. "I think everyone's pretty focused on the Big Ten schedule and getting off on the right foot. We've played these teams before, so it's a whole new ballgame."\n-- Contact staff writer Dan Patrick at djpatric@indiana.edu.