Freshman linebacker Will Patterson, who registered a career-high 10 tackles against No. 2 Michigan, will play in his first Old Oaken Bucket game on Saturday. |
Inside The Bucket Game
Nov. 17, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - As the Indiana football team prepares for its regular season finale at Purdue, it's time to take a look inside the Old Oaken Bucket game. The Hoosiers (5-6, 3-4 Big Ten) and Boilermakers (7-4, 4-3) will meet at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. on Saturday, Nov. 18. ESPN Classic will televise the game with a noon EST kickoff.
Inside The Bucket
The Old Oaken Bucket is the annual trophy awarded to the winner of the Indiana-Purdue game. Saturday's meeting marks the 82nd battle for the bucket and the 108th overall meeting in the series.
Both institutions had been meeting on the football field since 1891 when the Indiana and Purdue Alumni Clubs of Chicago held a joint meeting in 1925 to "discuss the possibility of undertaking worthy joint enterprise on behalf of the two schools." They located the Old Oaken Bucket on the old Bruner Farm between Kent and Hanover in southern Indiana. The region had been settled by the Bruner family in the 1840's, making today's bucket well over a century old.
Excellent repair work put the bucket, moss and mold-covered with some staves showing signs of decay, into good shape for its initial appearance, which ended in a 0-0 tie in 1925.
Seeing Red
Indiana has enjoyed great success in the red zone this season. The Hoosiers rank fourth in the Big Ten at 87.1 percent (27-of-31) when entering the red zone. IU is 11-for-12 in its last five games in red zone situations. Indiana has crossed the goal line 19 times (11 rush, 8 pass) and kicked eight field goals this season.
The Start Chart
Senior Justin Frye has been an anchor on the offensive line since his insertion into the starting lineup as a redshirt freshman in 2003. He has started all 44 games in which he has appeared. The most versatile Hoosier lineman - he has played all five positions on the line in his career - Frye has started seven games at center and four at left tackle this season.
Here is a look at the Hoosiers' top consecutive start streaks since 1999:
• OL Enoch DeMar - 45
• OL Adam Hines - 45
• OL Justin Frye - 44
• DE Victor Adeyanju - 44
• QB Antwaan Randle El - 44
30 Is The Number
In the Hoosiers' victory over Michigan State, Indiana put 46 points on the scoreboard, eclipsing the 40-point mark for the first time in head coach Terry Hoeppner's two seasons in Bloomington. IU has tallied 30-plus points four times this season and seven times under Hoeppner's watch en route to a perfect 7-0 record in those ballgames.
By The Numbers
In his eighth season as a head coach, Terry Hoeppner coached teams:
• have never been shut out.
• are 40-13 when they score first.
• are 33-9 when they lead at the end of the first quarter.
• are 49-3 when they lead at the start of the fourth quarter.
• are 22-5 since 2003 when they score first.
Something Special
Averaging 23.1 yards per kick return and 13.0 yards per punt return, the Hoosiers lead the Big Ten in both categories. Indiana is on pace to become the first team since Michigan in 1990 to lead the league in both categories. IU has posted five touchdowns thanks to its special teams play - the most in school history. Along with sophomore Marcus Thigpen's three kick returns, junior Tracy Porter has a punt return and senior Troy Grosfield returned a fumbled kickoff return.
Fountain Of Youth
After Ray Fisher started at wide receiver against No. 2 Michigan, he became the 13th true or redshirt freshman to start for the Hoosiers this season. He joined redshirt freshmen Keith Burrus (defensive end), Demetrius McCray (running back), Todd Newman (defensive tackle), Josh Bailey (buck), Austin Thomas (safety), Kellen Lewis (quarterback), Nick Polk (wide receiver), Andrew Means (wide receiver) and Jammie Kirlew (defensive end) and true freshmen Will Patterson (buck), Rodger Saffold (left tackle) and Pete Saxon (left guard).
Using The Clock
The Hoosiers put together their two longest scoring drives of the season at Minnesota. On its final two scores of the afternoon, Indiana took 8:40 and 6:25 off the clock, respectively. Both drives covered 80 yards and the first strike, culminating with a 2-yard run by redshirt freshman running back Demetrius McCray, saw IU use a season-high 16 plays. On the second score, where redshirt freshman quarterback Kellen Lewis found McCray from 10 yards out, the Hoosiers used 14 plays - the third-highest total on the year.
Against No. 2 Michigan, Indiana continued the trend, adding a 14-play scoring drive - its third straight with at least 14 plays.
Overall in 2006, Indiana has recorded 10 scoring drives of at least 10 plays, six of at least 80 yards, one over 90 yards (94) and five over the 5:00 mark.
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