Getting into the game

IU senior quarterback Graeme McFarland prepares every day for moments like the one he experienced Saturday night.\nWith 2:34 left in the third quarter and the Hoosiers leading 29-13 against Western Michigan University, McFarland jogged onto the field at Memorial Stadium. \nSince starting quarterback Blake Powers left the game with an apparent leg injury, McFarland needed to step up and lead the team.\nAfter three straight running plays, McFarland completed his first pass, a seven-yard strike to sophomore receiver James Bailey. After another running play, the third quarter ended, but McFarland's drive to the end zone did not. \nA five-yard offside penalty by Western Michigan as the fourth quarter opened left the IU offense 30 more yards to the end zone. McFarland erased that with one flick of his right arm. \nSophomore running back Marcus Thigpen pulled down McFarland's pass and scampered across the goal line. Touchdown Hoosiers.\n"I wasn't expecting to get in (Saturday), but I was ready," McFarland said after Tuesday's practice. "Every week I go about it as if I was the starter so I can be ready in case I have to go in."\nThat is the essence of what makes McFarland so valuable to the IU football team, say coaches and teammates. He's not the primary quarterback, but he prepares like he is. \nHe's not the sole team leader, but he leads the team. He helps younger quarterbacks and players find their way in the often intimidating world that is big-time college football, the coaches say.\n"He's a great leader," IU quarterbacks coach Matt Canada said. "We could not ask for more from Graeme than what he already does for us."\nThe on-the-field action is what the fans see and appreciate, but it is not always the most important thing McFarland brings to the team, Canada said. As a fifth-year senior, he accepts his role and always puts the team before himself, he said.\n"He is without question the best I've ever been around in this situation," Canada said. "He knows Blake is going to be the starter, and he still comes to work every day."\nMcFarland finished out the game against Western Michigan, leading the Hoosiers to one last field goal and their first win of the season. His final stat line -- 4-for-7 passing for 60 yards and a touchdown -- was just what the coaching staff was looking for. It was nothing spectacular, but there were no mistakes. \nAfter throwing a touchdown and finishing a season-opening victory, it's back to practice as the backup for Powers, who returns with only a day-to-day leg injury. \nMcFarland will just keep preparing for that next opportunity, whether it is this week in Muncie, 10 weeks from now in West Lafayette or any time in between.\n"No matter what happens, he's a reliable person," Powers said. "You won't miss a beat when Graeme comes in because he's such a smart player, and he's always on top of things mentally. He's great for the team"