IU opens 2012 season against Indiana State

A new season means new beginnings for IU’s football team.

After going 1-11 in IU Coach Kevin Wilson’s first year as head coach, this season marks a clean slate.

“Everybody can’t wait for Saturday because it’s a new chapter,” sophomore quarterback Tre Roberson said. “Everybody wants to play as best as they can to get some wins.”

The Hoosiers open their season at home against Indiana State at 8 p.m. Saturday.
IU is 35-17 in Memorial Stadium openers, which includes winning nine of their last 10 games.

This will be the only game against an FCS team this season. IU’s only victory last season came cames an FCS team, South Carolina State.

IU Assistant Offensive Coordinator Kevin Johns said the experience returning from last year is one of the positives to the upcoming season.

IU returns 16 starters from 2011, which includes seven on offense, eight on defense and one in special teams.

Roberson said his improvements from last year helped him keep his starting
position.

“I think I’ve progressed pretty well,” he said. “I’m throwing the ball much better. I’m more confident in the pass game because I’m going out there and doing what I’m supposed to do.”

The running game will show variety, Wilson said. He said three players will have time on the field.

Freshman Tevin Coleman leads the depth chart. Junior Stephen Houston returns after averaging 5.3 yards per carry last year and sophomore D’Angelo Roberts rounds out the group.

Defense was not a bright spot last year, as it gave up 37.3 points per game.
Sophomore safety Mark Murphy, who was second on the team with 76 tackles last season, said he wants to change those numbers.

Senior defensive tackle Adam Replogle had four sacks and seven tackles for a loss last year for a team that gave up 243.7 rushing yards per game in 2011.

Linebackers junior Jacarri Alexander and sophomore David Cooper are junior college transfers who will start for the Hoosiers.

On the coaching end, IU has brought in offensive coordinator Seth Littrell from Arizona and Defensive Ends Coach Jon Fabris, who has worked with six Division I schools and one NFL team.

On the other side of the ball, Indiana State went 6-5 last season lead by Head Coach Trent Miles.

The Sycamores return 14 starters, which include six on offense, six on defense and two on special teams.

ISU is ranked 23rd in the Sports Network Preseason Poll and 25th in the Football Championship Subdivision Coaches Poll.

Two key components of the Sycamores are junior running back Shakir Bell and senior defensive lineman Ben Obaseki, both of whom were named preseason All-Americans on the FCS level.

Bell rushed for 1,670 yards last year with 14 touchdowns, and Obaseki racked up 7.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for a loss last year.

Johns expressed their defense as being athletic, which could create problems for the Hoosiers.

Going into the season opener, Roberson said he and his teammates won’t underestimate this team.

“They are a pretty good team,” Roberson said. “They are feisty. They have really good players. They are going to be a good matchup for us.”