His Hoosiers are playing sharp, aggressive football and starting to rack up a rather impressive win total. With a QB/WR combination of Blake Powers to James Hardy and an improving defense, the Hoosiers used a strong fourth quarter to pull away from Illinois and record a 36-13 victory.

The Hoosiers are 4-1 overall and have split their first two Big Ten games.

Powers threw four TD passes and looked calm and in control as the Illinois front seven rarely put any pressure on him.

Powers was inspired by the presence of Chief QB Trent Green, a former star for the Hoosiers. "He just told me to stay focused and keep working hard and that I had a bright future," Powers said. "And that was great coming from a guy that has had his success."

The Hoosiers seized control of the game late in the second quarter. Trailing 14-10, Illinois had the ball at its own 25. On second-and-7, IU cornerback Tracy Porter intercepted Tim Brasic's pass at the Illini 39 and returned it 3 yards. Four plays later, Powers threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Hardy for a 21-10 lead with 25 seconds to play in the half.

Indiana has now won four games in a season for the first time since 2001. Two more wins and the Hoosiers will become bowl eligible. There's still much work to be done, but Hoeppner's Hoosiers are moving forward.

KEEP AN EYE ON: QB Blake Powers -- He was 22-of-35 for 198 yards with four TDs and one interception. Powers has 18 TD passes this season, one more than Antwaan Randle El had in 1999.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think Powers did a nice job. That receiver, Hardy, did a better job. Big guy, big target, he caught the ball, and he ran. He's a good receiver. He's a big receiver. You have to defend him. I'm sure we're going to see a lot of good receivers. He knows how to position himself. Basketball, obviously, has a lot to do with that." -- Illinois head coach Ron Zook on the Hoosiers' top skill-position players.

SS Will Meyers had a huge impact on the win over Illinois. He had 11 tackles, one forced fumble, one interception and one passed defensed.

RB Chris Taylor had a nice bounce-back game with 18 carries for 132 yards and the opening touchdown of the game on a 12-yard run.

STILL NEEDS WORK: The Hoosiers have passed their opening exams this season, winning four times in their first five games. But now they hit the iron of the Big Ten schedule. They go on the road to Iowa and then host Ohio State over the next two weeks. Finding one win in those to games appears unlikely, but Terry Hoeppner needs to push hard to get his team ready to compete for 60 minutes.

DE Ben Ishola needs to make his presence felt. He had two tackles and could not sack Illinois QB Tim Brasic.

WR Ryan Skelton -- With just two receptions for 20 yards, Skelton is not getting open enough. He has the size and strength, but needs to work on pattern running.

ROSTER REPORT: The Hoosiers came out of the game relatively healthy against the Illini.