Friendship helps Indiana passing game stay in sync

Indiana quarterback Ben Chappell will do pretty much anything to keep his receivers happy.

On the field, it usually entails throwing a steady diet of balls to whomever is open. Off of it, Chappell finds ways to feed his teammates the more traditional way.

''You know, when I was sick this summer and had lost about 15 pounds from a stomach virus, Ben came over and made me hot dogs and brats and burgers,'' junior Damarlo Belcher said. ''They were real good, and I gained about 10 pounds back.''

It's a menu that would make any mother cringe.

But in college, the Hoosiers' three amigos are making everything work.

Chappell, a fifth-year senior from Bloomington, is busy running the Big Ten's top-ranked passing offense with a calm, businesslike demeanor. He's completed 72.4 percent of his attempts with nine touchdowns and no interceptions and he's already earned his accounting degree.

And he doesn't play favorites.

Tandon Doss came into this season as a Biletnikoff Award candidate after leading the Hoosiers with 77 catches and 962 yards last season. With defenses paying more attention to the 6-foot-3, 200-pound junior, Doss has just eight receptions for 102 yards in two games - but he already has one TD catch, one TD run and is averaging 46.3 yards on three kickoff returns. Not bad for a guy who missed the first game with a groin injury.

Belcher, the affable 6-foot-5 junior who is still trying to regain a few more pounds, took advantage of Doss' absence. He now leads the Big Ten with 7.0 catches and 94.7 yards receiving per game.

The trio may go down as the most dangerous passing combination in school history.

''It's really what you would hope for when you have talented guys who love playing football,'' coach Bill Lynch said Wednesday. ''It takes a lot of practices, a lot of individual practices, just a lot of work together.''

That's by design.

When Chappell wasn't busy cooking meals for Belcher or completing his accounting internship last summer, he was lining up receivers to throw to.

Doss and Belcher were atop the list, and the three developed a camaraderie that goes well beyond the football field. They go to movies together and joke around constantly, even in team meetings.

''We put a lot of time in, every day almost,'' Doss said. ''We're really close. Anything they need I'm there for them, and anything I need, they're there for me.''

When Akron tried to take away Doss and Belcher last week, Chappell didn't fret.

He threw to fifth-year senior Terrance Turner, who caught six passes for a career-high 121 yards, and Ted Bolser, who caught two touchdowns. Turner now ranks second in the Big Ten in receptions per game (5.7), while Bolser's next score will set a single-season school record for tight ends.

It's enough to drive defenders bonkers.

''They're definitely a talented bunch,'' said Michigan cornerback J.T. Floyd, who will face the Hoosiers this weekend. ''I remember playing against them last year, so it's definitely going to be a challenge.''

But this bunch is even better than the 19th-ranked Wolverines remember.

Belcher has developed into the kind of player who could be a No. 1 receiver on most Big Ten teams, and Turner is establishing himself as a legitimate No. 3 guy.

And Doss, well, he's as dangerous as ever.

After returning the opening kickoff 87 yards two weeks ago at Western Kentucky, he took the opening kick back 41 yards last weekend against Akron. The mere threat of his return ability has prompted opponents to kick short, giving the Hoosiers' high-flying offense better field position.

So if Michigan dares to roll its coverage more toward Belcher and Turner this week, you can bet Chappell will be looking for his old pal.

''Tandon's a pretty unique player because of all the things he can do,'' Chappell said. ''You definitely want to get the ball into his hands.''

It's all part of the teamwork - and the fun-loving friendship between quarterback and receivers.

''That's one of the things I really like about this team. The intangibles are there,'' Lynch said. ''You can call it chemistry, leadership or whatever, but this group has great respect for one another and there aren't any clicks with the older guys. They really like being around one another, and I think it shows.''