It's a process. That's what Indiana fans and coaches and administrators are saying publicly, and telling themselves. Gerry DiNardo is entering his second year as the Hoosiers coach after coming off a 3-9 season, which included just one Big Ten victory, and getting back to respectability is a process.

But you can only have so many processes and five-year plans and, for that matter, coaching changes. Fortunately for the Hoosiers, this is the year they turn the corner if two pieces of the puzzle can fall into place.

If IU can improve its rush defense, say from sieve to slow leak, and if it can fill the inexperienced holes on the offensive line, a flirtation with .500 isn't out of the question. The potential is there, on both sides of the ball. But a battle with Northwestern for the ignominious 11th spot in the Big Ten is more likely.

Defensively, there's no place to go but up. Three of the four linemen return and all three starting linebackers are in the fold - but it was a group that finished last in the Big Ten and 113th out of 117 schools in the country in rush defense. The secondary put up better numbers, placing fourth in the conference and in the top third in the nation in pass defense - but three of the four starters graduated. All is not lost, however.

The Hoosiers plan a switch to a 4-2-5 alignment this season to help compensate, hoping the returners and the bulk up front can improve on the poor rush defense and allow the DBs time to get into the new system.

Offensively, optimism is at an all-time high. Last year, Indiana set school marks for passing yardage and for having a pair of 50-catch receivers. And that was WITHOUT quarterback Matt LoVecchio, the Notre Dame transfer who is eligible to play this fall.

Assuming LoVecchio plays to his potential, the onus then falls on the offensive line, where both tackles and the center must be replaced.

The schedule is rough, at least in the early going. Four of the first six games are on the road - at an improving UConn, at Washington, at Michigan and at Michigan State. If the Hoosiers can somehow pull off an upset among those four games and hold serve at home against Indiana State and Kentucky, they're 3-3 going into the second half of the season. Not a bad goal.

DiNardo remains upbeat and he's building loyalty in the program. Say this for DiNardo, too - he's winning back the state's high school football coaches that were once loyal to Bill Mallory but strayed during the Cam Cameron era. DiNardo vowed at his hiring that he would visit every football-playing prep school in the state of Indiana within his first two years as coach. Earlier this spring, he accomplished his goal. That's 311 schools done in basically what was a three-month window over the two years. Did it pay off? Well, 37 players from the state of Indiana signed Division I-A letters of intent in February, and seven went to Indiana. It's a start.

Passing: Glenn Johnson, 1-1-0, 26 yds., 0 TD

Rushing: Yamar Washington, 174 att., 688 yds., 9 TD

Receiving: Courtney Roby, 59 rec., 1039 yds., 4 TD

Scoring: Yamar Washington, 9 TD, 1 - two pt. conv., 56 pts.

Punting: none

Kicking: Bryan Robertson, 9-13 FG, 23-28 PAT, 50 pts.

Tackles: Herana-Daze Jones, 108 tot., 74 solo

Sacks: Herana-Daze Jones, 7.5 sacks

Interceptions: Damien Jones, 3 for 11 yds.

Kickoff returns: Courtney Roby, 11 ret., 20.6 avg.

Punt returns: Glenn Johnson, 25 ret., 6.5 avg.

Defense took its hits here and there, but overall, had a satisfying performance. The strength comes in the front six and they are going to have to measure up in the rugged Big Ten (especially against the run) if they are to achieve high success this season. DE Kenny Kendal had a terrific spring and should contribute valuably in the front four. I would not be surprised if he gets the nod at DE, moving Jodie Clemons inside to DT… The secondary is an area that flashed its headlights onto the highway of progress this spring. Leonard Bryant (who has proved to be a hard hitter), Luke Stone and returning senior Joe Gonzalez are confirmed productive cogs in this five DB set the Hoosiers like to run. Coaches and players alike are very excited for Gonzalez's return. They admire not only his style of play, but maybe more importantly, his leadership… Kyle Killion has made a smooth transition to MLB and looks to benefit from the 4-2-5 system the Hoosiers will run this season. He and Kevin Smith should sit well in their respective slots. It's the lack of depth behind them that causes concern. Look for junior Jason Cartwright to be added to the LB mix when they go with three in the middle.

Tyson Beattie has been handling the punting duties during the spring and will likely get the nod. Ryan Hamre's status for 2003 is uncertain, but he will be in school. Hamre punted for the Hoosiers last year… Soph Chris Taylor has been the best KR and will likely be teamed with classmate Courtney Clency, one of the fastest guys on the team.