SUPERPOWERS

The first time IU fans saw Blake Powers play Illinois, they saw a shaky freshman throw two interceptions in the fourth quarter of a 26-22 loss that crushed IU's bowl-game hopes. \nThat was 2004. This is 2005, and Blake Powers is no longer a nervous freshman. He's IU's all-time leading touchdown passer in a single season. \nThrowing his 15th, 16th, 17th and record-breaking 18th touchdown passes Saturday, Powers surpassed former IU standout and current Pittsburgh Steeler Antwaan Randel El's single-season mark set in 1999.\nWith four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Powers threw the record-breaking pass to his busiest target, freshman wideout James Hardy. Hardy ran a quick slant pattern and caught the 8-yard touchdown to give Powers the record.\n"To be honest, the record really doesn't mean much," he said. "I'm not really worried about any individual statistic. I'm more worried about winning games." \nPowers' record has come on the heels of an influx of offensive production in head coach Terry Hoeppner's newly implemented spread offense. \nWith another 198 yards Saturday, Powers has thrown for 1,160 yards on the season. Eleven different receivers have caught passes from Powers, including Hardy, who has caught seven of Powers' touchdowns, an IU freshman record. \nHardy explained the chemistry between the quarterback and the receiver as a product of summer one-on-one drills. \n"We practiced all summer together," he said. "Now everything is just starting to click."\nIn the 2004 IU-Illini matchup, Powers replaced senior Matt LoVecchio in the fourth quarter of a tight game. Then-freshman Powers threw two interceptions, missing an opportunity to impress in his first playing time. IU blew a late lead and went on to lose in overtime, 26-22. The loss dashed any hopes of a bowl berth for 2004's Gerry Dinardo-led Hoosiers. \nHoeppner sees how far his quarterback has come. \n"I knew Blake was going to come out and make plays," Hoeppner said. "He did a great job leading our team and it gives us all confidence. I listened to the IU-Illinois game last year and know what happened. I am really proud of Blake."\nFor now, Powers is happy to focus on the team's daily improvement instead of the impressive statistics that his offense has been piling up on a weekly basis. \n"(Being 4-1) is a great feeling," he said. "We haven't been in this situation in a while. As a team, we have to make sure that we stay focused, take it one game at a time, and try to get better every single week as we get ready for our next opponent"