Hoosiers look to speedy defense to improve play

The numbers don't lie. In eight Big Ten games last year, the IU football team gave up an average of 38 points and 442 yards per game. The Hoosiers' 1-7 record in the Big Ten in 2005 backs up the statistics.\nBut the 2006 defense is trying to put the miserable 2005 Big Ten season behind it.\n"I forgot all about last year," said senior defensive end Kenny Kendal. "We just worked hard this summer. We were working out everyday, lifting and running, doing extra, so there's no reason why we shouldn't be better."\nIn the Big Ten season in 2005, the Hoosiers found ways to lose, even in games they stood a good chance of winning. Against Iowa on Oct. 15, IU actually outgained the Hawkeyes by 21 yards -- 446 to 425 -- and held the ball for more than 40 minutes, but the Hoosier defense was never able to shut down Iowa in a 38-21 loss.\nThe low point of the season might have been three weeks later when the cream and crimson hosted Minnesota. Coming into the second half of the game leading 14-7, the Hoosiers allowed the Golden Gophers to score 27 points in the third quarter en route to a 42-21 drubbing. IU gave up six touchdowns and a season-high 572 yards of total offense.\n"Last year, we had a few games that weren't good for us," junior cornerback Tracy Porter said. "We're a lot faster, we've gotten more physical, and overall we have gotten better since last year. That's going to help us a lot when it comes to Big Ten play."\nFor the upcoming Big Ten season, the schedule does not get any easier for IU coach Terry Hoeppner and the Hoosiers.\nMemorial Stadium will host games against nationally ranked Michigan and Iowa, and the Hoosiers face road games against Ohio State and Minnesota -- all teams that can put the ball in the end zone.\nDuring spring practices, Hoeppner compared the Big Ten to the "deep, deep water with the big, big fish who can swim really fast." \n"We had to get faster, more athletic, and we had to do it right now. We couldn't wait," he said.\nThe Hoosiers have shown improvement on the defensive side of the ball during their nonconference schedule, especially in shutting out Ball State in the second half of a 24-23 IU victory.\nGoing up against Big Ten teams with players who might be bigger than they are, the members of the IU defense remain confident that their team speed will make up the difference.\n"We're not the biggest team in the Big Ten, so we have to find the attribute that can assist us," Porter said. "I think our speed is one thing that we look for to get us flying around the ball."\nMembers of the IU defense said the year of experience they have under Hoeppner's system will benefit them once Big Ten season rolls around. The defensive schemes will not change much, but the Hoosiers hope the results are different.\n"I think the defense is much improved because we know (Hep's) system," said sophomore defensive tackle Greg Brown. "We have a year of experience of how coach Hep wants the system, the defense, to play. Our guys have learned to play faster, more physical"