TERRE HAUTE — Indiana State linebackers Quinton Scott and Jayden Everett are ranked first and second in the Missouri Valley Football Conference in tackles per game.
By a country mile.
Scott averages 10.6 tackles per game, Everett is at 10.4. Their nearest pursuer is Illinois State’s Kelvyn Hemphill, who averages nine tackles even.
Impressive totals, but, as with anything Indiana State football related, there’s a glass half-empty and a glass half-full aspect to the tackle numbers.
“It’s a two-fold deal. Yes, it’s good that they’ve made these tackles, but no, it’s not good because it means that our defensive linemen aren’t getting off and making plays. It falls on our linebackers and safeties. We need more linemen getting penetration to get off the block and make tackles,” Indiana State coach Trent Miles said.
Everett, who is down to two games left in his collegiate career, sees the positive in the tackle numbers. Everett is realistic enough to know that this season is about program-building, and if there’s one tangible aspect of progress, i.e., the tackle numbers, it’s a sign that ISU is moving in the right direction.
“It’s going to be exciting to see what these guys do when I leave. The licks that we’re taking now is not for nothing,” Everett said. “Coach Miles really has changed it around. We’re still losing games and that sucks, but I told the guys that as a senior I want to win every game, but I think the bigger picture of this experience and this season is to change things around. The tackle numbers are a victory for all of us.”
Everett’s remarks are indicative of the leadership qualities Miles is looking for in all of his players, but who has found it in his senior middle linebacker.
“Jayden’s done a great job of being a leader for us. He does everything by example to keep everyone together,” Miles said. “He was in tears when he couldn’t play the North Dakota State game. He’s been a leader for us on and off the field.”
It is isn’t just Everett and Scott that have filled gaps to pile up numbers. Fellow linebacker C.J. Cook also has been effective when he’s been able to play due to injuries for both Everett and Scott (last week at Youngstown State, Scott injured his ankle), Cook has 31 tackles in part-time duty. ISU defensive backs Donye McCleskey and Alex Sewall also are in the league’s top 15 in tackles.
• UNI visits — Everyone of ISU’s tacklers will have to be at peak performance today as Northern Iowa has been the class of the league to date.
The No. 4-ranked Panthers (9-2, 6-1) seek their second consecutive league crown and can clinch at least a tie for the MVFC championship if they beat the Sycamores today.
With rain forecast and temperatures expected to be near-freezing, the conditions play right into UNI’s desire to grind the ball offensively. Corey Lewis averages 94.7 yards per game and has six touchdowns. He is complemented by Derrick Law, who is good for 49.7 yards.
Miles said the key to keeping UNI’s offense off the field is elementary … keep ISU’s offense on it. ISU has averaged only 12 first downs per game in conference action. Making life even more difficult, UNI has not allowed a touchdown in eight quarters of league play.
“The big thing is being able to move the football. Too many three-and-outs for our offense leads to short fields for our defense and we can’t do that,” Miles said. “We have to generate first downs to get points on the board to help the defense.”
ISU is done with its road schedule and the UNI game is the first of two games to finish the season at home. Everett is hoping the lessons ISU learned after it played four of five on the road, the Sycamores progressively got better in their last two road games in particular, have a payoff at Memorial Stadium.
“Being on the road, friendships got better, morale got better, I think as a team, some guys have picked up the slack when guys have been hurt, as I was at North Dakota State,” Everett said. “I think we came together.”
College
Indiana State tackle numbers subject to interpretation
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Indiana State connects on all 12 of its 3-point shots vs. SIU and sets three NCAA records in process
When you’re a shooter and you’re in a slump, the boilerplate cure is to summon amnesia, forget about your struggles and keep on shooting.
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ISU's Webb wins heptathlon
Indiana State’s Robert Webb captured the heptathlon Saturday at the Grand Valley State Big Meet as he totaled the second most points in ISU history while dominating the event. Webb scored 5,140 points, which is second only to former Sycamore Anthony Bertoli’s 5,189 points in 2008.
Webb, a senior, established three more personal best efforts enroute to the overall victory as he ran 8.45 in the 60 meter hurdles and 2 minutes, 50.73 seconds in the 1,000 meters while also clearing 13-1 1/2 in the pole vault. Webb entered the second day of the event in the lead with 2,893 points after winning three of the four Friday events and setting personal bests in the long jump and shot put. -
Perfect game: ISU shoots NCAA record 12-for-12 from 3-point range in win over SIU
Indiana State set an NCAA record for 3-point percentage and consecutive 3-pointers made Saturday afternoon in Hulman Center, connecting on all 12 attempts during a 78-68 win over Southern Illinois.
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‘Frustrated’ Sycamores regroup to face Southern Illinois
Indiana State’s men’s basketball struggles have hit one Sycamore senior hard.
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Thomas nets double-double as ISU women end losing streak
The halftime speech is one of the most time-worn clichés in sports, but once in a while, it’s meaningful. It certainly was for the Indiana State women’s basketball team on Friday against Bradley.
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Sycamore women looking to snap six-game losing streak
The Indiana State women’s basketball team is in dire need of a victory in Hulman Center this weekend.
Bradley visits Terre Haute tonight looking to sweep the season series from the Sycamores, who are in jeopardy of the program’s first seven-game losing streak since the 1995-96 season.
“I think it should [add to motivation]. There’s no doubt that group in the locker room in there is very disappointed,” Coach Teri Moren said. “As I keep saying, we’re in a rough patch right now, and there’s no group of kids that wants to get right back on track more than they do.” -
Leonard dominates in first half, but IU, Zeller earn the victory
The first half belonged to Illinois’ Meyers Leonard.
The win belonged to Indiana and Cody Zeller.
The 23rd-ranked Hoosiers (19-6, 7-6 Big Ten) took advantage of a glaring free-throw discrepancy to defeat the Illini 84-71 on Thursday. -
Rose women roll; Dickerson becomes all-time assists leader
Rose-Hulman senior Alisa Dickerson became the college’s career leader in assists as the Engineers cruised past Defiance 60-33 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference women’s basketball Saturday afternoon in Hulbert Arena.
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MVC’s worst a tantalizing option for ISU
Even though the Indiana State men’s basketball team has played better of late, having won three of its last four games, there’s only one team with a worse record in the Missouri Valley Conference standings than the Sycamores.
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Sycamores can’t stop Stutz, Shockers
All or nothing. It was that kind of game for Wichita State center Garrett Stutz. Unfortunately for Indiana State’s men’s basketball team, the “all” came in the second half.
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McWhorter’s fortunes rise with ISU’s
More so than any other Sycamore, Steve McWhorter might embody the decline and the recent rise of the Indiana State men’s basketball team.
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Johnson dominates again for ISU track
Felisha Johnson continued to dominate women’s weight throw while two Indiana State hurdlers moved into today’s finals after solid performances in the preliminaries Friday at the Meyo Invitational at Notre Dame.
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Indiana State women lose at Illinois State
Playing short-handed again, Indiana State’s women suffered their sixth straight Missouri Valley Conference basketball loss Friday night, falling 78-67 to host Illinois State.
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Indiana, Purdue meet with both looking to regain momentum
Indiana University’s stint in the Top 25 may be coming to an end. Purdue is just looking for a winning streak.
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ISU women looking to end five-game losing streak at Illinois State
Within a few points in the final minutes, Indiana State had chances to win women’s basketball games at Missouri State and Wichita State last weekend.
But the Sycamores lost for the fourth and fifth straight games, also losing freshman Jessica Valley for the season at Wichita State. The promising backcourt player tore the ACL in her right knee and began strengthening exercises this week in order to make plans for surgery. -
ISU Senior Day game to be televised on ESPN
The Missouri Valley Conference announced Thursday that Indiana State’s regular season finale against No. 12-ranked Creighton on Feb. 25 in Hulman Center has been chosen as the MVC’s “wild card” game that will be telecast on either ESPN or ESPN2.
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Hoosiers load up on in-state players
With a 1-11 record in his first season as IU football coach, Kevin Wilson knew there were a lot of holes to fill in terms of personnel.
- Wabash Valley verbal commitments
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It’s on: Sycamores, Bulldogs to play at Hinkle on Feb. 18
How badly did Indiana State want to get Butler as its BracketBusters opponent?
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METRO ROUNDUP: Four from Rose receive weekly honors
Four Rose-Hulman athletes earned Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference weekly honors, the HCAC announced Monday.
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Hoosiers reclaim needed offensive momentum
Indiana hadn’t allowed an opponent to shoot better than 40 percent in three straight games heading into Sunday’s home game against Iowa.
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Sycamores will have to match Aces’ toughness
Indiana State men’s basketball coach Greg Lansing has an enduring respect for the toughness Evansville coach Marty Simmons coaxes out of his Purple Aces.
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WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Rose, The Woods post weekend victories
Rose-Hulman relied on a balanced scoring attack and a strong defensive effort to earn a 55-44 women’s basketball victory Saturday over Mount St. Joseph.
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ISU's Stacia Weatherford sets school record in 60-meter hurdles
Indiana State junior Stacia Weatherford set the school record in the women’s 60-meter hurdles, while sophomore Greggmar Swift dominated the action in the men’s 60 hurdles during competition Saturday at the Indiana Relays.
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Rose takes first in Engineer Track and Field Invitational
Rose-Hulman relied on nine event victories, 13 top-two finishes and three school records for a strong performance at the ninth annual Engineer Track and Field Invitational on Saturday.
The men’s squad captured first place honors in a meet that featured two of the nation's top 20 NCAA Division III squads and 12 institutions from seven states. The day’s competition also included 10 meet records. -
Mattox’s 31 not enough for ISU women
Indiana State pulled within 63-57 with a 6-0 run with 8 minutes, 50 seconds remaining Friday night at JQH Arena, but the Sycamores lost 84-70 to host Missouri State in a Missouri Valley Conference women's basketball game.
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Mattox, Sycamores staying positive on road trip to Missouri State, Wichita State
Indiana State seniors Brittany Schoen and Deja Mattox are within striking distance of passing 1,000 points in their women’s basketball careers, and they would join classmate Shannon Thomas in that club. Schoen needs just 16 points, while Mattox is 89 points away.
But Mattox has been on a roll of late, scoring a team-high 15.1 points through ISU’s 4-3 start to Missouri Valley Conference play. -
IU triumphs
When Indiana’s Will Sheehey left the floor after receiving his second technical foul, the Hoosier fans cheered.
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ISU women nipped at buzzer
Creighton sophomore Carli Tritz — blanketed by Indiana State senior Brittany Schoen — had just two points at halftime Friday in Hulman Center.
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ISU needs to find chip on its shoulder
When one looks back at the totality of Indiana State’s 2010-11 men’s basketball season, there’s a recurrent theme that tied together the high points in a 20-14 campaign. A recurrent theme that might give ISU a lifeline in what has been a disappointing 2012 season.
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