Look no further than Indiana, Minnesota’s homecoming opponent Saturday, to see the latest examples of time-honored winning elements in college football. Start with the Indiana quarterback, and then look at the head coach and the emotional state of the team.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Kellen Lewis, not even a starter earlier in the season, has won Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors two of the last three weeks while leading his team to two victories. He passed for five touchdowns and ran for one last week against Michigan State. In the Iowa game he threw for three touchdowns and ran for another as the Hoosiers beat a top 15 team for the first time in nearly 20 years. Among his skills is the ability to escape defenders and turn a losing play into a winner.
A team with a quarterback who is a big play maker can create confidence in his teammates. Offensive and defensive players know their chances of winning are enhanced by a productive quarterback. Their efforts are less likely to be wasted if the quarterback is a playmaker like Lewis.
College football is a game of emotion and the Hoosiers have plenty of incentive. Indiana second year coach Terry Hoeppner has had brain surgery twice (tumor, then scar tissue removed) in less than 12 months including in September. The Hoosiers have enthusiasm to perform for their coach.
Then, too, with five wins, Indiana needs just one more victory to be bowl eligible for the first time since 1993. The Hoosiers are 5-4 overall and 3-2 in the Big Ten Conference.
Star receiver James Hardy, a sophomore, talked about Indiana’s emotions at a news conference earlier this week. “Everyone has the same goal,” he said. “We’re trying to get to a bowl game, especially with our head coach and leader going through what he’s been through. … We just want to go out there and work hard for him, and for ourselves and our families. We want to go to a bowl game, and we’re not satisfied until we get there. I want to send these guys (the seniors) off the right way. I know it’ll be something they can show their kids.”