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BLOOMINGTON -
Physically the changes are everywhere.
"I'm still trying to find my way around," said Indiana head coach Bill Lynch as he made his way around Memorial Stadium this week.
The facility's end zone renovation-complete with new seats, suites, offices, meeting rooms and weight rooms-are just about complete. The team even came out this weekend with brand new practice jerseys, with stripes running down the sides, opposite of the main color of the jerseys.
"It's new everything" admitted quarterback Ben Chappell, who will also lead the Hoosiers' new pistol offense this fall.
See: Video of the Construction of IU's Memorial Stadium
So far, at least in the opening weekend, these changes have been more than just aesthetically pleasing.
"Kids just have a new bounce in their step," said Lynch in his observations of his team early in camp. "They sense a new commitment to Indiana football, and they know they can play a big part in it."
That can be done simply with two things: Winning and staying healthy. Both escaped Indiana after they opened the 2008 season with wins over Western Kentucky and Murray State, as injuries piled up and coupled with lackluster play caused the Hoosiers to lose nine of their last 10 games.
"It's a lot different than we had it last year," said senior defensive end Greg Middleton. "Both of our safeties our back, linebackers are back, everybody's healthy."
See: Jeremiah Johnson's Pre-Training Camp Interview With Bill Lynch
The same can be said on the offensive line, which like the defense saw many inexperienced players forced into action when the injuries piled up in October and November. Offensive lineman health will be critical this year in the Hoosiers new offense, which will rely more on traditional power running than in the past in this variation of the Pistol offense.
"I think we're gonna play to what we do best, and I think we're gonna be a better running team," said Lynch of the offense.
Read: More College Football News
With Lewis out of the picture, Chappell will be the primary quarterback for the first time in his career after cracking the lineup last season as a sub and a starter. The Bloomington South High School grad threw for 1,001 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions.
"Last year I prepared to be the starter, the year before that you prepare to be the starter," said Chappell. "Its one of those things if you're a competitor, it will the same everyday."
"I'm still trying to find my way around," said Indiana head coach Bill Lynch as he made his way around Memorial Stadium this week.
The facility's end zone renovation-complete with new seats, suites, offices, meeting rooms and weight rooms-are just about complete. The team even came out this weekend with brand new practice jerseys, with stripes running down the sides, opposite of the main color of the jerseys.
"It's new everything" admitted quarterback Ben Chappell, who will also lead the Hoosiers' new pistol offense this fall.
See: Video of the Construction of IU's Memorial Stadium
So far, at least in the opening weekend, these changes have been more than just aesthetically pleasing.
"Kids just have a new bounce in their step," said Lynch in his observations of his team early in camp. "They sense a new commitment to Indiana football, and they know they can play a big part in it."
That can be done simply with two things: Winning and staying healthy. Both escaped Indiana after they opened the 2008 season with wins over Western Kentucky and Murray State, as injuries piled up and coupled with lackluster play caused the Hoosiers to lose nine of their last 10 games.
"It's a lot different than we had it last year," said senior defensive end Greg Middleton. "Both of our safeties our back, linebackers are back, everybody's healthy."
See: Jeremiah Johnson's Pre-Training Camp Interview With Bill Lynch
The same can be said on the offensive line, which like the defense saw many inexperienced players forced into action when the injuries piled up in October and November. Offensive lineman health will be critical this year in the Hoosiers new offense, which will rely more on traditional power running than in the past in this variation of the Pistol offense.
"I think we're gonna play to what we do best, and I think we're gonna be a better running team," said Lynch of the offense.
Read: More College Football News
With Lewis out of the picture, Chappell will be the primary quarterback for the first time in his career after cracking the lineup last season as a sub and a starter. The Bloomington South High School grad threw for 1,001 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions.
"Last year I prepared to be the starter, the year before that you prepare to be the starter," said Chappell. "Its one of those things if you're a competitor, it will the same everyday."
