IU end leads Big Ten in sacks

Not even Nostradamus could have predicted that sophomore defensive end Greg Middleton would be this good, this fast. \nDuring his freshman year, he played in only five games, making six total tackles. Through five games this year he’s already surpassed that number – in sacks alone. \n“I really wasn’t expecting to get off to this fast of a start,” Middleton said. “Last year, I was just trying to learn the playbook and all the schemes that the coaches were teaching me.”\nMiddleton has recorded 7 1/2 sacks fives games into the season, which makes him first in the Big Ten and second in the country in sacks. George Selvie, a defensive lineman for South Florida, leads the nation with 9 1/2 sacks. \n“(Middleton) really learned how to open his hips on the pass rush, and he’s big and explosive,” senior defense tackle Joe Kremer said. “I think he got in the weight room hard. You could tell he was a good athlete when he came, but now he’s really coming into his own as a pass rusher.”\nMiddleton’s sacks have anchored the Hoosiers’ defense, which currently leads the nation in sacks with 27. This year, Middleton has made rushing the quarterback look simple. His road to becoming a Hoosier, however, was far more complex than blowing by an offensive lineman. \nIU’s personal quarterback hit man was almost a Purdue Boilermaker. After receiving a scholarship offer from IU, Middleton visited Purdue, which soon offered him a scholarship as well – one that he initially accepted. But after learning that Purdue coach Joe Tiller wanted to convert him from a defensive end to a defensive tackle, Middleton changed his mind and signed on to become a Hoosier. \n“I wanted to go to Purdue, but they told me that they were going to move me to D tackle and put 20-25 pounds on me and have me playing inside,” Middleton said. “I really wasn’t trying to do that, and (IU) told me that I’d stay outside as a defensive end, and that’s what I wanted to be.”\nMiddleton said the decision to go from West Lafayette to Bloomington didn’t sit well with Tiller – something that should add more fire to an already heated rivalry. \n“They were upset,” Middleton said. “Coach Tiller kind of took some shots at me on the radio and in the paper, so I really can’t wait to play them this season.”\nIU’s decision to leave Middleton at defensive end turned out to be a wise one. In addition to his high sack count, he’s also returned a fumble 44 yards for a touchdown. IU coach Bill Lynch said that as good as Middleton’s been so far, he’s constantly \nimproving. \n“He’s got a quick move and he’s gotten better each week, too. He’s gained confidence,” Lynch said. “This year, he feels like he really belongs, and you can see his confidence growing.”\nDefensive line coach Brian George said that while confidence has helped Middleton’s numbers, the best aspect of his game is his hand strength.\n“When he latches on, he doesn’t let go. He’s got extremely strong hands and has got quick feet for a big man,” George said. “The combination of those two things, he’s got a knack of being a good pass rusher.”\nIf IU makes it to its first bowl game since 1993, Middleton and the rest of the defensive line’s ability to continue to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks will be crucial. George said he expects teams to eventually double-team Middleton, but his natural ability and instincts will allow him to keep getting to the quarterback.\n“It’s kind of one of those things, you can get better at being a pass rusher, but you kind of either have it or don’t have it,” George said. “Greg’s got it.” By Tom Kirby\ntokirby@indiana.edu\nNot even Nostradamus could have predicted that sophomore defensive end Greg Middleton would be this good, this fast. \nDuring his freshman year, he played in only five games, making six total tackles. Through five games this year he’s already surpassed that number – in sacks alone. \n“I really wasn’t expecting to get off to this fast of a start,” Middleton said. “Last year, I was just trying to learn the playbook and all the schemes that the coaches were teaching me.”\nMiddleton has recorded 7 1/2 sacks fives games into the season, which makes him first in the Big Ten and second in the country in sacks. George Selvie, a defensive lineman for South Florida, leads the nation with 9 1/2 sacks. \n“(Middleton) really learned how to open his hips on the pass rush, and he’s big and explosive,” senior defense tackle Joe Kremer said. “I think he got in the weight room hard. You could tell he was a good athlete when he came, but now he’s really coming into his own as a pass rusher.”\nMiddleton’s sacks have anchored the Hoosiers’ defense, which currently leads the nation in sacks with 27. This year, Middleton has made rushing the quarterback look simple. His road to becoming a Hoosier, however, was far more complex than blowing by an offensive lineman. \nIU’s personal quarterback hit man was almost a Purdue Boilermaker. After receiving a scholarship offer from IU, Middleton visited Purdue, which soon offered him a scholarship as well – one that he initially accepted. But after learning that Purdue coach Joe Tiller wanted to convert him from a defensive end to a defensive tackle, Middleton changed his mind and signed on to become a Hoosier. \n“I wanted to go to Purdue, but they told me that they were going to move me to D tackle and put 20-25 pounds on me and have me playing inside,” Middleton said. “I really wasn’t trying to do that, and (IU) told me that I’d stay outside as a defensive end, and that’s what I wanted to be.”\nMiddleton said the decision to go from West Lafayette to Bloomington didn’t sit well with Tiller – something that should add more fire to an already heated rivalry. \n“They were upset,” Middleton said. “Coach Tiller kind of took some shots at me on the radio and in the paper, so I really can’t wait to play them this season.”\nIU’s decision to leave Middleton at defensive end turned out to be a wise one. In addition to his high sack count, he’s also returned a fumble 44 yards for a touchdown. IU coach Bill Lynch said that as good as Middleton’s been so far, he’s constantly \nimproving. \n“He’s got a quick move and he’s gotten better each week, too. He’s gained confidence,” Lynch said. “This year, he feels like he really belongs, and you can see his confidence growing.”\nDefensive line coach Brian George said that while confidence has helped Middleton’s numbers, the best aspect of his game is his hand strength.\n“When he latches on, he doesn’t let go. He’s got extremely strong hands and has got quick feet for a big man,” George said. “The combination of those two things, he’s got a knack of being a good pass rusher.”\nIf IU makes it to its first bowl game since 1993, Middleton and the rest of the defensive line’s ability to continue to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks will be crucial. George said he expects teams to eventually double-team Middleton, but his natural ability and instincts will allow him to keep getting to the quarterback.\n“It’s kind of one of those things, you can get better at being a pass rusher, but you kind of either have it or don’t have it,” George said. “Greg’s got it.”