Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, December 17, 2012

The Hoosiers still are searching for their first bowl trip since 2007, but they made strides in their second season under Kevin Wilson by winning four games after winning only one game overall and none in Big Ten action in 2011. And Indiana did this despite losing starting quarterback Tre Roberson for the season to a broken leg in the second game.

To take the next step, the offense must improve up front and a defense that was last in the Big Ten overall (463.5 ypg) and last in scoring defense (35.5 ppg) needs more speed and talent. Read more season reviews here.

Indiana 2012
Date Opponent Result / Time
9/1 vs. Indiana State W 24 – 17
9/8 at Massachusetts W 45 – 6
9/15 vs. Ball State L 39 – 41
9/29 at Northwestern L 29 – 44
10/6 vs. Michigan State L 27 – 31
10/13 vs. 8 Ohio State L 49 – 52
10/20 at Navy L 30 – 31
10/27 at Illinois W 31 – 17
11/3 vs. Iowa W 24 – 21
11/10 vs. Wisconsin L 14 – 62
11/17 at Penn State L 22 – 45
11/24 at Purdue L 35 – 56

Record: 4-8 overall; 2-6 Big Ten

High point: A 31-17 win at Illinois on Oct. 27 ended a five-game losing streak and an 11-game Big Ten losing skid. And the next week, the Hoosiers clipped visiting Iowa, 24-21. The wins offered hope and positioned Indiana to make a run at the Leaders Division title.

Low point: A win over visiting Wisconsin on Nov. 10 would have positioned the Hoosiers to win the Leaders Division and play in the Big Ten championship game. Alas, the Badgers blasted Indiana, 62-14, racking up 605 yards of offense with 564 coming on the ground. The humbling loss was the first of three defeats in succession to end the season, killing postseason dreams.

Offensive MVP: WR Cody Latimer. The sophomore was second in the Big Ten in receiving yards per game (67.1), catching 51 passes for 805 yards and six touchdowns. RB Stephen Houston also merits mention. The junior ran 161 times for 749 yards and 12 touchdowns and also caught 37 passes for 381 yards and four scores.

[RELATED: Read Tom Dienhart's ongoing series of 2012 football season reviews. ]

Defensive MVP: T Adam Replogle. The heady senior was an inspirational leader all season up front for Hoosiers, earning consensus second-team All-Big Ten honors. He led the team in sacks and tackles for loss, often being a disruptive force in the interior. Replogle was a presence that had to be accounted for.

About Tom Dienhart BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men's basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, read all of his work at btn.com/tomdienhart, and subscribe to his posts via RSS. Also, send questions to his weekly mailbag using the form below and read all of his previous answers in his reader mailbag section.

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