Helping in any way he can, Powers adjusts to role as tight end, mentor

Just one year ago, Blake Powers was preparing for another season as the starting quarterback for the IU football team, and Kellen Lewis was a name unknown by many Hoosier fans.\nEntering this year’s spring practices, the story has changed for both players. Lewis is now the starting quarterback, and Powers has switched over to play tight end for his senior season.\nLewis, who started the 2006 season as the third-string quarterback, took the starting job after he came in during the Sept. 9, 2006 game against Ball State. By leading IU to a 24-23 come-from-behind victory, Lewis earned the starting position for the next week, and eventually the rest of the season. He compiled more than 2,000 yards passing and was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman team. After the season, Powers decided to try and help the team from the tight end position. \n“In the off season we took a step back and looked at the fact that we didn’t throw a single pass to a tight end last season,” Powers said. “I felt that was a weapon we needed in our offense, and I felt like I could help the team.”\nThe new weapon for the Hoosier offense was on display Saturday during a scrimmage in which Powers caught a couple of downfield passes from Lewis. Powers said the catches were the first he had caught since a throwback to the quarterback during his senior year of high school.\n“We’re trying to vary it up a little bit and get the tight end involved and he gives us something because he’s got good quickness and good ball skills,” said IU assistant coach Bill Lynch after Saturday’s scrimmage. “He’s been doing that in practice, so what we saw today was a carry-over from practice.”\nLynch has filled in as head coach since IU coach Terry Hoeppner announced he would sit out spring practices.\nIn addition to being a new target for Lewis, Powers still acts as a mentor for Lewis as well as backup quarterback Ben Chappell.\n“Even now, anything I see, any knowledge I can give them or any type of advice, they’re all ears to it,” Powers said. “I’m here to help them in order to help the team.”\nLewis said one of the most important things he learned from Powers about being a quarterback is how much time is needed for film study.\n“When I came in as a freshman, I used to be at the (players) apartments all the time, and he was never over there,” Lewis said. “So I never knew where he was at. I find out he was watching film everyday.”\nNow Lewis is hoping he will be able to hit his mentor for some passes once the season starts.\n“With as many packages that we have with tight ends, anytime they’re matched up on linebackers there’s a couple guys we’d like to give a shot,” Lewis said. “And Blake is one of them.”\nFor the most part, the change of positions has been easy for him, Powers said.\n“Running routes came naturally and knowing where to go is easier (at tight end) than at quarterback, because you only have one job and you just go out there and do it,” he said. “You’re just out there playing ball and having fun.”\nThe toughest part, he said, has been the blocking aspect of the position. But even though Powers thinks blocking is tough, Lynch said he has been impressed with the way Powers has caught on. \n“I think it’s the actual technique of footwork, hand placement, aim points, bringing your feet, all the fundamental techniques of blocking that you spend years teaching guys how to do and all of a sudden you’re going to do it all in a spring,” Lynch said. “That’s why I thought he caught on pretty quick.”\nLynch also added that Powers’ size and strength is helping the switch. \n“He’s a very strong guy, he’s always been a good weight room guy,” Lynch said. “I know he thinks he needs to gain a little weight. He’s 236 pounds, so he’s not a 265-pound guy like you see in the Big Ten, but he’s got good strength and leverage. We’ve had four padded practices so far, and I think he’s done pretty darn well for the first time putting his hand down and having to block people.”