Freshman leads way to Hoosier win

MUNCIE -- Kellen Lewis didn't look nervous.\nBefore Saturday's game at Ball State University, IU coach Terry Hoeppner told the freshman quarterback to be ready to play against the Cardinals.\n"I told Kellen at the hotel, 'Hey, you better be ready to play tonight,'" Hoeppner said. "I said 'What do you think about that?' He said he was nervous."\nWith junior quarterback Blake Powers unable to start because of injuries sustained in last week's game and senior Graeme McFarland knocked out early in the first quarter with an apparent shoulder injury, the Hoosiers turned to third-string quarterback Lewis.\n"I wanted to make as little mistakes as possible," Lewis said. "Me and (quarterbacks) coach (Matt) Canada went over tactics this week to make sure I was ready for the game."\nWith IU already down 14-0 in the first quarter, Lewis replaced McFarland. He racked up 21 rushing yards and 44 passing yards in the first half, but the Hoosiers entered the locker room at halftime down 23-7. \n"We had a team meeting at halftime and looked each other in the eye and said 'We are going to win this game, and if you don't believe we're going to win, then just stay here,'" Hoeppner said.\nThe Hoosiers took Hoeppner's message to heart. Lewis led IU down the field the first possession of the half. Facing a third-and-seven, he threw a pass to sophomore receiver James Hardy in the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown. Ball State 23, IU 14.\nAfter Ball State missed a field goal, Lewis took over the game as the Hoosiers edged closer to the end zone. With five minutes remaining in the third quarter and IU on the Ball State 23-yard line, Lewis scrambled out of the pocket running for the left sideline. Behind several key blocks, Lewis reversed and scampered in for the touchdown. Ball State 23, IU 21.\nWith the rejuvenated Hoosier defense shutting down Ball State quarterback Joey Lynch, IU gained possession with a chance to take its first lead of the game. Seeing receiver Andrew Means streaking across the middle downfield, Lewis threw a pass to his fellow freshman. Means was able to hold on to the ball even after Ball State defender Chris Clancy delivered a helmet-to-helmet hit.\n"We needed a big gain," Means said. "It was a perfect pass by Kellen."\nAdding the 15-yard penalty to the 32-yard gain, the Hoosiers went all the way to the Ball State 36-yard line. Unable to get into the end zone after several incomplete passes and short gains, IU settled for a 27-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Austin Starr, giving the Hoosiers the 24-23 lead.\nThe Cream and Crimson defense continued its strong play in the second half, preventing a Ball State score. On a game-breaking fourth-and-one after regaining possession, the Hoosiers were able to draw an offsides call and run the clock down to preserve the victory and improve to 2-0. \nIn his first collegiate game, Lewis racked up 319 yards of total offense, 91 rushing and 228 passing, with one rushing and one passing touchdown.\n"People think all I can do is run and can't pass, so I'm trying to prove that I can throw the ball," Lewis said.\nWith Lewis' strong play Saturday against Ball State, Hoeppner must now decide who his starting quarterback is: Lewis, McFarland or Powers. Following the game, Hoeppner was not willing to commit to any of the three.\n"We'll watch the tape, but I'm not going to make any pronouncements," Hoeppner said. "I will say (Lewis is) a heck of a player, and I'm glad he's on our side"