Hep says 18 of top 22 in rotation have no experience

Welcome to the Terry Hoeppner Experience, season two. \nFor Saturday's home opener against Western Michigan, fans are advised to buy a program -- because the 2006 IU football team bears little resemblance to the 2005 squad that finished 4-7.\n"I'd say there are two words to describe the team at present -- fast and fit," Hoeppner said during his weekly press conference. "As of today, 18 of the top 22 in our two-deep have not played in a college game or have not played in a college game at their new position."\nPositions such as quarterback, wide receiver and defensive line are identified as strong points for IU, but several other key positions were up for grabs during spring and summer practices.\nTo balance out the potent passing attack, the Hoosiers will need their running back corps to develop and produce quickly. Converted wide receiver Marcus Thigpen will start Saturday, with freshman Demetrius McCray backing him up. Both backs have experience from high school, but neither has collegiate experience at the position.\nThigpen and McCray battled freshman Bryan Payton and junior Josiah Sears for the starting job.\n"The four of us have been working hard to get that No. 1 spot," McCray said. "We're always pushing each other, helping each other to be the best that we can be. We've got four people who can start and that makes us better."\nClearing the way for the quartet of running backs will be an inexperienced offensive line led by senior left tackle Justin Frye and senior center Chris Mangiero. The Hoosier line will be going up against an undersized Western Michigan defensive line.\nHoeppner has identified the offensive line as the "most important position on the team" and is prepared to play as many as 10 linemen in Saturday's opener.\nOn the other side of the ball, IU will try to improve a defense that gave up an average of 33 points per contest. The linebacking group lost its two top tacklers in Kyle Killion and John Panozzo from last year's team, but junior linebacker Adam McClurg is confident that the young players will make an impact this season.\n"Our more experienced players really need to step up, but more importantly our inexperienced players need to step up and show everybody they can play," McClurg said. "I think they will."\nOf the 105 players on the roster, 72 are underclassmen, while 49 are true freshmen or redshirt freshmen. While many preseason rankings and polls are worried about IU's youth and inexperience, the Hoosiers aren't concerned. This influx of new players gives IU something they have not had in the past -- depth.\n"We have a good group this year," McClurg said. "It's hard to be a freshman and come straight in and play in the Big Ten, but this year we've got some freshmen who are really physically ready to play."\nSo while the Hoosiers are being counted out because of their youth and inexperience, Hoeppner is excited to start the season. \n"We are approaching the first game of the season, and for me, today is one of the three most exciting days of a college football coach's life," Hoeppner said. "After all the build up, off-season and all of the recruiting, we finally get to play against someone else"