Indiana University Athletics
Four Hoosiers Honored by Big Ten
11/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 22, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana senior defensive end Victor Adeyanju, senior linebacker Kyle Killion and redshirt freshman James Hardy were recognized on All-Big Ten teams, the league announced Tuesday afternoon. Adeyanju was a second team selection by the conference coaches and conference media, while Hardy was a second team honoree by the media and Killion earned honorable mention laurels from the media.
Additionally, senior defensive tackle Russ Richardson was selected as Indiana's representative for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award (each team had one honoree).
Head coach Terry Hoeppner was pleased to see the conference coaches and media recognize each player.
"Each of these guys is among the best in the Big Ten at their position, and it is great to see them officially honored as such," Hoeppner said. "The only bad thing with Vic, Kyle and Russ is that I only got to coach them for one season (all three are seniors). Those three played their hearts out all season and showed tremendous leadership. James Hardy is an incredible talent at wide receiver. He showed great resolve to play through some nagging injuries to post some impressive numbers."
Adeyanju closed the season with a team-best 6.5 sacks, which ranked tied for seventh in the Big Ten, and a team-high 12 tackles for loss, which was good for fifth in the league. The Chicago native just finished outside the top five in school history with 13.5 career sacks and 30 tackles for loss. Kemp Rasmussen (1998-01) sits fifth all-time with 16.5 sacks and Joe Huff (1984-88) is fifth in Hoosier annals with 35 tackles for loss. Adeyanju started all 11 games at left end this season and owns the third-longest starting streak in school history at 44 games.
Hardy turned in one of the most prolific seasons IU has seen at wide receiver. The Fort Wayne, Ind., product finished second in school history with 61 receptions, tied for second with 10 touchdowns and fifth with 893 yards. In addition, his five 100-yard games were tied for second most in a season in school history. Hardy finished first in the Big Ten and 23rd nationally with 89.3 yards per game and fourth in the conference and 29th in the nation with 6.10 receptions per game. His 10 touchdowns ranked fifth among all freshmen nationally, and he became the first IU receiver since Ernie Jones (1987) to catch at least one touchdown in seven of his first eight games.
Killion led the Hoosiers with 91 tackles, tied for the team lead with 63 solos and was second on the club with eight tackles for loss to go along with one sack and one fumble recovery. He started the season at outside linebacker before moving back to the middle prior to the Minnesota game (Nov. 5). Against the Golden Gophers, Killion recorded 10 tackles and followed that performance with a career-best 13-tackle effort at Michigan (Nov. 12) and his third straight 10-plus tackle game with 12 against Purdue (Nov. 19). He ended the season ninth in the Big Ten averaging 8.3 tackles per game and tied for 31st in the nation with 5.73 solo tackles per game. The Kingwood, Texas native earned a second team All-Big Ten selection by the conference media and a honorable mention selection by the conference coaches in 2004.
Richardson started nine times and played in 10 ballgames in 2005. During his career, the defensive tackle took the field in 44 of Indiana's 46 contests. A two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Richardson ended the campaign with three tackles for loss and compiled 10 tackles for loss and four sacks in his career. The Phoenix product recently secured a spot on the Academic All-District V football team.
Click here for the rest of the All-Big Ten teams.
AS SELECTED BY CONFERENCE COACHES
Offensive Player of the Year: Michael Robinson, Penn State
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Greg Eslinger, Minnesota
Defensive Player of the Year: A.J. Hawk, Ohio State
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Tamba Hali, Penn State*
Freshman of the Year: Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern
Dave McClain Coach of the Year: Joe Paterno, Penn State
*Denotes unanimous selection
AS SELECTED BY CONFERENCE MEDIA
Offensive Player of the Year: Brett Basanez, Northwestern
Defensive Player of the Year: A.J. Hawk, Ohio State
Freshman of the Year: Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern
Dave McClain Coach of the Year: Joe Paterno, Penn State
