2011 MVFC Preview: Indiana State

My preview of the Missouri Valley Football Conference continues today with a look at Indiana State. Wednesday's Illinois State preview can be read here. 

It's likely not fair to say that Indiana State was in uncharted territory because they've had good teams before. However, considering that from 2005 to 2009, the Sycamores had tallied two wins and was bullied 33 straight times with out a win, Indiana State is in a new place. Last year, ISU-Blue accomplished its first winning season in 14 years but to truly complete the climb, the Sycamores have to make the FCS playoffs. That goal, which has not been achieved since 1984, is not out of reach for 2011 but Indiana State will have to prove itself.

Offense

Sycamore quarterback Ronnie Fouch.

Much of the Sycamores comeback can be attributed to having Ronnie Fouch at quarterback. He moved from being a starter at Washington, replacing Jake Locker after an injury and playing eight games in 2008 to serving as Locker's backup in 2009 when it became clear that he wasn't going to UW coach Steve Sarkesian's man before transferring to Terre Haute for the 2010 campaign. Fouch made an impact all year, setting the single-season passing touchdown record with 20 and finishing second in school history for passing yardage in a year with 2,252 yards. Head coach Trent Miles, the 2010 MVFC coach of the year, has a tremendous asset in the senior Fouch and much of the Sycamores' success will be in the quarterback's hands.

ISU will piece together the rest with sophomore running back Shakir Bell to replace 1,000 yard rusher Darrius Gates, Bell went over 100 yards three times last season and was named to the conference's All-Newcomer team last year. Fouch should have some targets to throw to, mainly Justin Hilton, who hauled in seven touchdowns last year and now adds Michigan State transfer Donald Spencer, who was at one time a four-star recruit on Rivals.com.

ISU cornerback Calvin Burnett

Defense
The Sycamores will be in good shape on the defensive side of the ball, provided they can stay healthy because 10 of last year's starters return to the team this year. There will be work to be done because they did, in fact, give up nearly 30 points per game last season. Linebacker Jac Washington figures to be a big part of the 3-4 scheme after a 92 tackle season a year ago. Cornerback Calvin Burnett had six interceptions last year and will likely called upon to be a lockdown cover man this year. Burnett was originally at Hofstra and redshirted in 2009 before coming to Indiana State. Miles said in February, "You’re not bringing transfers in to sit around," and that will be the case with linebacker Zakee Bashir, who comes to the Wabash Valley after two years at Marshall and figures to make an immediate impact.

Outlook
Much like Illinois State, ISU-Blue struggled on the road last year, with a 1-4 record as visitors. Of course, they flipped the script at home and rolled to a 5-1 mark, with the only loss coming to UNI. Those Panthers are going to be a prime target if the Sycamores want a shot at a conference championship and the two teams meet in Cedar Falls on October 8th after last year's game was an informal title tilt. Simply put, winning a conference title, especially the Valley, requires victories on the road and ISU with a small sample size hasn't proved that. Earlier this year for the Collegian, I picked ISU to finish third in the conference and they can do that well, provided that they can capitalize on their chances.

Up Next: Missouri State
All photos property of Indiana State athletics.