The Terry Hoeppner era has begun with two wins, but the questions have already begun.

After being forced to come from behind in order to beat Nicholls (La.) State, Hoeppner was asked why a Big Ten team couldn't just put a Division 1-AA team away and then start planning to take care of business against Kentucky this week.

Hoeppner appeared to lose patience when he heard such questions. "I would invite (skeptics) to go ahead and line up against these guys," Hoeppner told the Indianapolis Star. "They're well coached. Any time you play a Southern football team, you're going to get some guys who are hard-nosed.

"I'm not going to turn this win down. All I know is we're 2-0 and there's a lot of people who would like to be 2-0 right now."

But that undefeated record is in jeopardy against Kentucky. The Hoosiers have gotten a solid performance out of QB Blake Powers, but the running game has been stuck in the mud. The Hoosiers have run for just 223 yards on 80 carries in the first two games -- and that's rather frightening considering they have played Central Michigan and Nicholls State.

The Wildcats have been hit with injuries through the first two games, but they are dangerous. Rich Brooks has some depth at the RB spot and may have found a very solid contributor in Rafael Little. He took over for injured teammate Keenan Burton on kickoffs and took one back 99 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown against Idaho State. For the game Little finished with 233 all-purpose yards on 104 rushing yards, 30 receiving yards and the kickoff return.

The Hoosiers have to find a way to contain him and get their own running game going with Yamar Washington and Chris Taylor. If they can do that, they have a chance to go 3-0.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Terry Hoeppner, who picked up the 50th win of his career when the Hoosiers defeated Nicholls State, has gotten solid play from Blake Powers. The quarterback has completed 36-of-71 passes for 583 yards with seven TDs and three interceptions. He is commanding the huddle with confidence and has found a go-to guy in WR James Hardy. The running game is stuck in the mud and Hoeppner must find a way to get the ground game going or they could get overrun during the Big Ten season.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: This has been scary. Indiana gave up 408 rushing yards to Division 1-AA Nicholls State. That's going to be tough to overcome against a team like Kentucky. The Wildcats run the ball well and head coach Rich Brooks can design a game plan to take advantage of such a weakness.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "There's no question we have to get better running the football. I expected us to be better at this point, but we'll continue to work on it and hopefully be better against Kentucky." -- Terry Hoeppner on the struggling Hoosiers running game.

THIS WEEK'S GAME: vs. Kentucky, Sept. 17 -- The Hoosiers struggled to beat hurricane-ravaged, division 1-AA Nicholls State. The run defense has been particularly ineffective, as has the running game. It's time for RBs Yamar Washington and Chris Taylor to step up if the Hoosiers are going to come away with the win.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: WR James Hardy -- He is rapidly becoming a star. After his 107-yard performance against Central Michigan, Hardy caught eight passes for 122 yards and a TD vs. Nicholls State. He had four catches on the game-wing drive, including a seven-yard TD reception with 47 seconds left.

MLB John Panozzo -- He continues to take to the linebacker position after switching over from running back. He has a team-high 15.5 tackles and also has three TFLs. Panozzo has good instincts and knows how to wrap up ball-carriers.

LB Kyle Killion -- One of the better athletes on the defensive side. He plays with a nasty attitude and is second in tackles with 11 stops.

RB Chris Taylor -- The Hoosiers are depending on Taylor to provide a solid 1-2 running punch with Yamar Washington. Taylor has just 95 yards on 28 carries through the first two games.

ROSTER REPORT: The Hoosiers have been able to avoid serious injuries so far.