Former Indiana coach Terry Hoeppner coined the phrase "Play 13," a rallying cry that stuck with the Hoosiers football program even after Hoeppner died in June from complications of a brain tumor.
Hoeppner, when he was hired in 2005, made it clear his goals for Indiana: to reach a bowl game, or extend its normal 12-game schedule to include one more.
In his two years as coach, Hoeppner pointed the program in that direction but passed away before he could see his intentions realized.
Now, four months since his death, Indiana (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) can become bowl-eligible for the first time since 1993 with a win Saturday against Penn State (5-2, 2-2). The mantra their former leader popularized hasn't left the memories of those that coached with or played for Hoeppner.
"You play 12 games with the hopes of getting one more," said current coach Bill Lynch, who took over the program following two seasons as an assistant.
"We always have to honor Coach Hoepp," Indiana safety Nick Polk said yesterday. "We're trying to do it for him and continue the trend for him."
Or as quarterback Kellen Lewis simply put it: "The goal is to play 13."
To do so, the Hoosiers must total at least six wins by the end of the regular season. After winning five of its first six games, Indiana had its first chance last week, but lost 52-27 to Michigan State at home. Its run defense was porous, allowing Spartan running backs Javon Ringer and Jehuu Caulcrick to combine for 297 yards and five touchdowns.
"That was the first time our defense had seen that kind of attack," Lynch said. "The old-fashioned power attack, with two tight ends. ... and a good old, power fullback. If that happens again, we have something to work from."
Penn State isn't afraid to use that type of attack with running backs Rodney Kinlaw and Evan Royster, who combined for 184 yards in the Nittany Lions' win against then-No. 19 Wisconsin. Fullback Matt Hahn scored the Lions' first touchdown.
"We're playing another really good team in Penn State. When you think about Penn State, you think of excellence, hard-nosed, tough football," Lynch said. "I do think our guys are excited about our opportunity. I've said this many times, it's a resilient group. They believe in one another and what we're doing."
They're also a group that would like to attain the goals that Hoeppner laid down.
"It's difficult not having him around. It's been hard on all of us because we all lost a great friend, coach and mentor. The players lost their leader," Lynch said. "His stamp is all over this program, our job is to carry it on and continue to improve."
No. 1 Ohio State
Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel, leader of the team that became the No. 1 team in the country this weekend, certainly is trying to avoid any talk about OSU's current position.
"People start talking about, 'Could this team be this or that?' It's awfully early to talk about that. We better do some things better than we have if we want that conversation to happen after the fact," Tressel said during yesterday's Big Ten coaches' teleconference.
If able, Hart will play
Michigan coach Lloyd Carr was asked if running back Mike Hart, who injured his right ankle on Saturday, would play this weekend when the No. 24 Wolverines face Illinois.
"The injury that he has always has a lot to do with how a player feels," Carr said. "You have to watch him and as a coach and as a trainer, and make a determination from there."
