IU starts season against ISU tonight

The Sycamores were a Hail Mary away from their first-ever victory over a Big Ten opponent last season.

IU defeated Indiana State 24-17 in the 2012 season opener. It has been 33 years since Indiana State won a season opener on the road, and they are 0-10 against Big Ten teams all-time.

Still, they only lost by seven to Indiana, something the players said won’t happen this year.

“We’re not looking anybody over again,” sophomore cornerback Michael Hunter said. “If you’re at this level, they probably stood out in high school. So you just have to go out there and play football.”

The third season of IU Coach Kevin Wilson’s era kicks off when FBS opponent Indiana State tries for the upset tonight at 7 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.

Sophomore running back Tevin Coleman said the Hoosiers didn’t score as many points against Indiana State last season as they thought they would, adding “this year, we’re much better.”

“We’re going to come out here and have a fast start and put a lot of numbers on the board,” Coleman said.

Earlier this month, Coleman was given the starting job over fifth-year senior incumbent Stephen Houston.

Coleman is excited for the opportunity to prove himself and improve the Hoosiers’ running game, which had the lowest average yards per carry in the conference last year.

“(Offensive coordinator Seth) Litrell said he’s going to run the ball a lot more,” Coleman said, “because he knows the RB’s been working real hard and he likes how we were
looking at the end of practice.”

Who will be handing the ball off to Coleman is still a mystery.

Wilson has yet to name a starting quarterback for the season opener. Junior Cam Coffman is battling sophomores Tre Roberson and Nate Sudfeld for the starting job.

Multiple quarterbacks are expected to be used, but Wilson said if one has a hot hand he will stay in the game.

Tonight will be the first game for Indiana State Coach Mike Sanford. Sanford was the offensive coordinator for a Utah State team that finished 11-2 last season with a No. 16 rank in the AP poll.

He was the coach of UNLV from 2005 to 2009, when he compiled a 16-43 record.

For the second straight year, the game will be under the lights, which many players prefer. Coleman said it feels more natural, and his teammates agree.

“I’m very excited,” sophomore cornerback Michael Hunter said. “Since I’ve been here we really haven’t had a lot of night games. Just to start the season off on one, especially a Thursday one, the students will be all riled up … so it’ll be a good experience.”

Follow reporter Evan Hoopfer on Twitter @EvanHoopfer.