Hoosier Headlines for October 22, 2009: Northwestern game approaches.

North Side product beginning to prosper (The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Ind.)
"Belcher turned a short pass from quarterback Ben Chappell into a 29-yard touchdown, juking Hicks near the 15-yard line. Belcher shook one way and then went the other, causing Hicks to fall on his face."
Focusing on the present is key to Indiana's future (The News-Sentinel - Fort Wayne IN)
"The temptation is there for the Indiana Hoosiers. How could it not be? They have their bowl aspirations. They understand the stakes. Win at Northwestern (4-3) on Saturday and they’re one victory away from bowl eligibility, two from bowl certainty. Lose and, given the upcoming three-game swing of Iowa (7-0), Wisconsin (5-2) and Penn State (6-1), misery seems likely."
IU's evolving offense pays out (Indiana Daily Student )
"As the Hoosiers continue their march through the Big Ten season and toward a possible bowl game, the element of surprise has played a crushing role. In their near victory at Michigan, IU opened the rushing playbook, sending men in motion and confusing the defense on the way to a 197-yard, three-touchdown domination on the ground. And against Illinois on Saturday, the pistol formation – the basis of the team’s offense in the first half of the season – virtually vanished. "
IU defender Mayberry has big role, little fanfare as middle linebacker, team’s top tackler (The Courier-Journal)
"Mention the defense and someone will usually think of sack specialists Greg Middleton or Jammie Kirlew. Press a little further and you may hear Ray Fisher's name in the secondary. But Mayberry is the glue holding the defense together. "

Chappell uses smarts under center (South Bend Tribune)
"The steady junior quarterback almost seemed embarrassed this week to talk about being honored as the Big Ten’s co-offensive player of the week following his career-high 333-yard, three-touchdown performance last week against Illinois."

Pritchard bruises way to better play (The Journal Gazette, Fort Wayne, Ind.)
"The sophomore’s game is also developing thanks to more competition at practice. Last year, the 6-foot-9 Pritchard was one of three players – Tijon Jobe and Kyle Tabor the others – on the team listed at 6-8 or taller. The Hoosiers added four more to the roster with freshmen."

Dana O'Neil: Indiana's fresh faces offer hope (ESPN)
Yet knowing what he knew firsthand -- just how far Indiana had fallen and just how much work it would take to rebuild it -- Hulls didn't hesitate when it came time to choose a college. He asked for some candy-striped pants.

Second-half outlook: Indiana - Big Ten (ESPN)

Lynch: Northwestern’s efficiency a concern (The Hoosier Scoop)