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Indiana faces Oklahoma St in Insight Bowl

Dec 31, 2007 - 12:12 PM Oklahoma St (6-6) vs. Indiana (7-5) 5:30 pm EST Insight Bowl December 31

TEMPE, Arizona (Ticker) -- Indiana made significant progress under first-year coach Bill Lynch, who guided the Hoosiers to their best season in 14 years.

The Hoosiers hope to take another step forward when they face Oklahoma State on New Year's Eve in the Insight Bowl, their first postseason appearance since losing to Virginia Tech in the 1993 Independence Bowl.

Lynch served as the Hoosiers' interim coach for the final two games of last year, taking over for the late Terry Hoeppner, who stepped aside while battling a brain tumor. Hoeppner passed away on June 19 at the age of 59.

Lynch, who posted the second-highest win total for a first-year Indiana coach, signed a four-year extension on November 26.

Kellen Lewis enjoyed a solid season for the Hoosiers, tying Purdue's Matt Painter for the Big Ten Conference lead in touchdown passes with 26.

His favorite target was James Hardy, who caught 16 touchdowns and became Indiana's all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards during the season.

Oklahoma State dropped three of its last four games, including a 49-17 drubbing to Oklahoma in the regular-season finale.

Still, the Cowboys feature a potent attack, ranking in the top 10 in the Football Championship Subdivision in total offense (484.1, ninth) and rushing offense (245.8, seventh).

Zac Robinson is a dual threat, passing for 2,522 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for 777 yards and seven scores.

Indiana and Oklahoma State have faced each other only once - battling to a 7-7 tie on October 11, 1930 in Bloomington.