The Indiana Hoosier will be coming to Iowa City on Halloween. The last time Kinnick hosted a game on Halloween was in 1987 against (you guessed it…) Indiana. Iowa won that game 29-21 on the way to a 10-3 season that included a Holiday Bowl win. The 1987 Indiana team was good and finished with a 8-4 record. The 2009 Indiana team will likely not repeat that kind of success this year. Though they return almost the entire starting lineup, they are coming off a 3-9 season (1-7 in the Big 10). Indiana struggled on offense and defense last year. The Hoosier only averaged 20.5 points per game (10th in the Big 10) while giving up over 35 (last in the Big 10, 109th in the country).

Offense: Key Returning Players
The Hoosier have installed a new Pistol offense and it will rely on QB Ben Chappell. Chappell started 3 games in 2008, though was generally in the backup role. However he threw for over 1000 yards and was a key part in the team’s victory over Northwestern. Also returning is WR Terrance Turner who was 3rd on the team with 29 receptions. The entire offensive line returns as well.

Offense: Key Losses
The biggest loss (by far) is Kellen Lewis. Lewis was kicked off the team this spring after moving from QB to wide receiver. He was expected to be a major contributor this fall at his new position after leading Indiana in passing last year. Indiana also loses its leading rusher, Marcus Thigpen. Thigpen ran for 631 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2008 and was used a lot in the passing game as well. Yet another statistical leader, WR Andrew Means who had a team leading 450 receiving yards, is gone too.

Defense: Key Returning Players
One of the bright spots on Indiana’s defense last year was DE Jammie Kirlew. Kirlew will return after recording 19.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in 2008. Joining Kirlew on the line are DE Greg Middleton and DT Deonte Mack. Two linebackers are returning, Will Patterson and Matt Mayberry. Mayberry was the team’s leading tackler with 89. In the secondary CB Chris Adkins, SS Austin Thomas, and FS Nick Polk all return, and Ray Fisher, who led the team with 42 receptions and was very good returning punts and kickoffs, moves over from WR to play cornerback this year.

Defense: Key Losses
The Hoosiers don’t lose a lot on defense, but must replace Geno Johnson at linebacker and 4-year starter Greg Brown at tackle. Both were solid for Indiana last year with 50 and 37 tackles respectively.

Spring media guide: http://iuhoosiers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/09-spring-media-guide.html

ESPN spring wrap: http://myespn.go.com/blogs/bigten/0-3-365/Indiana-spring-wrap.html