In one game, Terry Hoeppner equaled something previous coach Gerry DiNardo had done in three seasons.

Indiana traveled to Kelly/Shorts Stadium at Central Michigan for the season opener and came up with a 20-13 victory over the Chippewas. In the previous three years under DiNardo, the Hoosiers had won exactly one road game.

A win over a Mid-American Conference also-ran does not make a program into a contender, but it is the first step for Hoeppner, who was generally pleased with his team's effort.

"I thought the key for us was that we made plays when we had to," Hoeppner told the Indianapolis Star. "I was surprised that we weren't able to run the ball better earlier in the game, but give Central Michigan credit. They were very prepared and gave us all kinds of fits.

"And except for two snaps, I thought our defense played a great game. It's good to get a win, but we'll learn a lot from this game. We definitely have a lot to work on."

The running game needs quite a bit of work and the Hoosiers felt the effects of BenJarvus Green-Ellis's transfer. The Hoosiers averaged 2.4 yards per carry on 45 attempts and Indiana won't win many games unless that figure improves this year.

Starting RB Yamar Washington actually had a decent game with 108 yards on 20 carries, but backup Chris Taylor was held to 30 yards on 17 attempts.

QB Blake Powers got the job done for the Hoosiers and clinched the game when he connected with Marcus Thigpen for a 74-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter. Powers threw for 276 yards and had a 3-1 TD-interception ratio in his first start for the Hoosiers. He kept a cool head about his performance.

"I made some good plays and a lot of bad ones," Powers said. "I think you can say that for our whole football team. We know we've got a lot to work on, but it was important to come up here and get a win."

After a tune-up this week vs. Division 1-AA Nicholls State, the Hoosiers face Kentucky in their annual border battle.

GAME BALL GOES TO: QB Blake Powers -- He did a good job of keeping his cool in his first Hoosiers start. Powers completed 17-of-35 passes for 276 yards with 3 TDs and an interception and looked like a natural leader in the huddle and calling signals.

KEEP AN EYE ON: WR Marcus Thigpen -- He caught 2 passes for 92 yards, but one of them was a 74-yard TD catch in the fourth quarter. That play allowed the Hoosiers to extend the lead from 14-13 to the final margin of 20-13.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We made lots of mistakes. We did a few good things, but we've got a lot to fix." -- Powers as an assessment of where the Hoosiers stand following their win in the season opener at Central Michigan.

LOOKING GOOD: The defense gave up an 80-yard TD run to Central Michigan's Ontario Sneed early in the fourth quarter, but the unit did a good job of playing consistently and coming up big the rest of the fourth quarter. Indiana normally falls apart on the road, so a win in their first effort away form home under head coach Terry Hoeppner is a positive development.

--WR Marcus Thigpen gave the Hoosiers some confidence when he caught a 74-yard TD pass from Blake Powers right after the Chips had drawn within one point at 14-13. Thigpen has very good athletic ability and a ton of confidence.

-- LB John Pannozzo -- He should be an active and productive player all season. He had 6 tackles and 3 more behind the line of scrimmage against Central Michigan.

STILL NEEDS SOME WORK: While head coach Terry Hoeppner has confidence in QB Blake Powers, he needs a consistent running game to take the pressure off of his passer. The Hoosiers averaged just 2.4 yards per carry against lowly Central Michigan.

--RB Chris Taylor is expected to share the load with Yamar Washington. Taylor had just 30 yards on 17 carries in the opener.

--FS Will Lumpkin is expected to provide leadership in the secondary. He had five tackles but did not come up with any big plays.

ROSTER REPORT: Powers played effectively despite a sore right arm earlier in the week. ... WR James Hardy overcame a sore Achilles to catch 5 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown.