Hoosiers limit penalties, turnovers in 2010 season

The IU football team repeatedly shot themselves in the foot last season.

Whether it was penalties, a red zone interception or fumbling the football, the Hoosiers made many mistakes en route to a 4-8 record in 2009.

Going into the Homecoming game against Arkansas State at noon Saturday, that is not the case. The Hoosiers are currently ranked third in the country in fewest penalties per game (3.4) and fifth-fewest in turnovers lost (5).

The numbers suggest that while IU has started out Big Ten play at 0-2, this might be a more mature team than last year.

“We’ve been very disciplined,” junior linebacker Leon Beckum said. “I think we’ve prepared a lot more this year than we did last year.”

Last year, the Hoosiers averaged 43.4 penalty yards per Big Ten game. In their two Big Ten contests this year, the Hoosiers have averaged three penalties per game for 18 yards.

Improving on penalties was a key point of emphasis this offseason.

“I think we just emphasized that going back to last spring,” IU coach Bill Lynch said. “As a result, I think we’re much better at that this year.”

While the IU defense has been hurt by several big plays this season, the team believes that committing costly third-down penalties after a stop would be even more demoralizing.

“There are times where offenses make plays, and you have to give them credit for that,” co-defensive coordinator Brian George said. “If you have a penalty and give up a first down, that’s your own mistake and you can’t blame anybody for that.”

Besides not committing penalties, the Hoosiers have also benefitted from their opponents committing a fair share of penalties. IU ranks first in the Big Ten on opponent penalties at 65.4 yards a game.

While the Hoosiers won the penalty battle by an average of 69.5 yards in the first two Big Ten games, that has not translated into a Big Ten win this season.

Despite limiting penalties, the Hoosiers are only halfway to where they want to
be defensively.

“The progression of improvement shows up in the discipline of being where you’re supposed to be, being in position and gain on things as you go from there,” George said. 

In addition to keeping the yellow flags off the field, the Hoosiers have not given the ball up like they did last year. The Hoosiers turned the ball over 1.83 times per game last season compared to one per game this season.

A reason for the improvement could be the maturation of IU senior quarterback Ben Chappell.

Chappell’s 15 interceptions in 2009 is a statistic that he has turned around this season.

Chappell has thrown just three picks as the midway point of the season approaches. The senior has demonstrated more patience in the pocket and has not been afraid to throw the ball away if he cannot find an open receiver.

This improved decision-making has helped sustain Hoosier drives. Hoosier ball carriers have also followed suit.

The only fumble that IU has lost this season came from sophomore tailback Darius Willis on the first play from the scrimmage at Western Kentucky. The one fumble lost is the fewest in the Big Ten.