After two weeks of sputtering against Michigan State and Michigan, the IU offense woke up against Northwestern, tallying more than 400 yards of offense for the second time this season. Both 400-yard offensive games were squandered by IU as the Hoosiers fell to Northwestern 31-24 in double overtime and to the University of Kentucky, 51-32. \nLeading the charge for the Hoosiers was senior quarterback Matt LoVecchio. Despite the loss, LoVecchio set career highs in completions, pass attempts and yards. The senior from Franklin Lakes, N.J., was 27 of 50 for 329 yards with three touchdown passes. The difference between the Michigan game and the Northwestern game was considerable on both sides of the ball, IU coach Gerry DiNardo said.\n"We were better than we were a week ago, for sure," DiNardo said. "My impression was that we were better offensively than we were a week ago, and I think our defense was a bit better than they were a week ago."
THREE TIMES A CHARM\nIn the season opener against Central Michigan University, the Hoosiers converted 78.6 percent of their third downs going 11 of 14. Since that game, IU has struggled to convert when the number three popped up on the first-down marker, going nine for 56 for a paltry 16 percent. During the Northwestern game, the offense turned a corner, converting 50 percent of its third down opportunities.\nSticking to the game plan throughout allowed the Hoosiers to move the ball all afternoon, LoVecchio said.\n"You try to stay on schedule on offense, and we had a good game plan for what we were going to do against them on third down in terms of the passing game," he said.
BYE BYE BYE\nAfter six straight weeks of football, the Hoosiers are welcoming the bye week coming off their most recent loss, a 31-24 double-overtime setback to Northwestern.\nIn recent weeks, the IU offensive line has been decimated by injuries, as junior Isaac Sowells has been out of the lineup the last two weeks with an injury and many players have been forced into the starting lineup.\nHaving the bye week at the halfway point in the season is a good time for the break, senior wide receiver Courtney Roby said.\n"We have a lot of people nicked up and with a lot of bruises, so it is definitely a good time," he said.
ROBY WATCH\nRoby started the season in a three-way tie for seventh in all-time receptions at IU. After Saturday's game, he is in sole possession of first place as IU's all-time leading receiver with 149 catches. Roby's production has improved in all aspects from last season, averaging nearly a catch and half more per game, while receiving 90 yards more than he did all of last season in just six games. Roby has found the end zone as often in the first half of his senior season (five) as he did through his first three years, for a combined career total of 10.
EXTRA POINTS\nIU's loss to Northwestern marked the second straight year the Hoosiers and Wildcats went into overtime. It also marked the fourth consecutive time since 1996 the Hoosiers have lost in overtime.\nOn Monday, the Big Ten announced the game against No. 25 Ohio State, IU's first game back from the bye will be televised on ESPN Plus Regional at 11 a.m. CST/noon EST. It will be the 90th meeting between the conference rivals.\n-- Contact staff writer Dan Click at daaclick@indiana.edu
