Indiana University Athletics
Killion Named Hoosiers' 2005 MVP
1/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 14, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana linebacker Kyle Killion, who has ranked among the Hoosiers' top three tacklers each of the last three seasons, won the 2005 Anthony Thompson MVP Award, IU head coach Terry Hoeppner announced at the team banquet on Jan. 15 at Alumni Hall at the IU Memorial Union.
Killion closed his Indiana career in 2005 by starting in 34 straight games. The honorable mention all-league honoree posted 91 tackles on the season, and he finished his career sixth on the all-time list with 323 total stops. Killion started the first eight games of the season at outside linebacker before a hand injury to John Pannozzo forced him back to middle linebacker against Minnesota, Michigan and Purdue. He notched 10 tackles against Minnesota, a career-high 13 at Michigan and finished with 12 tackles against Purdue.
Hoeppner and his staff moved Pannozzo from fullback to middle linebacker last spring so that Killion could move from middle linebacker to his more natural outside slot. While this move strengthened the IU defense, the Hoosiers were fortunate to have Killion return to the middle when Pannozzo was injured at Michigan State on Oct. 29.
"Kyle is a consummate football player," Hoeppner said. "Not only does he have great great instincts and an understanding of the game, but he brought a steady presence to our defense."
Killion was one of 10 IU football seniors to receive an individual honor at the banquet. Running back Chris Taylor received the Howard Brown Award. This award is given to a player who exemplifies the qualities of former IU assistant coach Howard Brown. Brown demonstrated compassion, courage, understanding, humor, sportsmanship and a strong competitive spirit as a player, coach and as a man. He was the team MVP in 1945 and again in 1947 and captained the squad in 1946 and 1947. Brown played as a freshman in 1942 before joining the Infantry. He won three Purple Hearts while serving in Europe and returned to Bloomington after the start of the 1945 season.
Taylor led Indiana in rushing in 2005, finishing with 740 yards and four touchdowns. Taylor gained 176 yards on 17 carries against Kentucky and added 132 yards against Illinois. Taylor has competed in both the Magnolia Gridiron Classic and the Las Vegas All-American Classic postseason all-star games. According to Hoeppner, Taylor balanced success on the field with success in the classroom and helped maintain a light-hearted, fun approach in the locker room.
"C.T. is a special person," Hoeppner said. "He finished coursework for his degree (sport communications) in three-and-a-half years, and he had a relentless work ethic on the field. Most importantly, Chris is a "people" person who likes to have fun and make sure that people don't take things too seriously."
Senior safety Will Lumpkin won the Ted Whereatt Award, which is given to a senior who has excelled academically. Ted Whereatt was a long-time resident of the Indiana University community. He served as an Assistant to the Dean of University Division. In his capacity he counseled student-athletes with their educational program.
An Academic All-Big Ten and ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V selection as a senior, Lumpkin started three (at Central Michigan, Nicholls State and at Michigan State) of the 11 games in which he played in 2005. He had 10 tackles at Michigan State, and he returned an interception 12 yards against Purdue. He graduated in December with a bachelor's degree in finance.
"I tell our players that going to class is their job and if they are successful at their job, then they get to play football," Hoeppner said. "Will epitomizes the term `student-athlete.' He will be successful in whatever he chooses to do after college."
Offensive lineman Adam Hines is this year's Ted Verlihay Award winner. The Ted Verlihay Award is given to the player who has demonstrated the best mental attitude and loyalty to Indiana Football. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Ted Verlihay earned a letter following the 1967 football season. He was a physical education major at IU.
Hines closed his college career in 2005 by starting 45 straight games. This matches former IU All-American and current Pittsburgh Steeler Antwaan Randle El for the most consecutive starts by a Hoosier since 1999. In addition, Hines played a team-high 851 offensive snaps.
Hoeppner and Hines knew each other before Hoeppner took over the Hoosier program in December, 2004.
"We recruited Adam when we were at Miami (Ohio), and when he called us to say that he was going to Indiana, our offensive line coach, Bobby Johnson, told him that we would still coach him someday," Hoeppner said. "Fortunately, that proved to be true. Adam was a joy to coach, because he was always working to improve as a player." Hines, Lumpkin, Taylor and Pannozzo also were honored at the banquet as the 2005 team captains.
Defensive tackle Russ Richardson earned the Corby Davis Award, which was established by the family and friends of Corby Davis to honor a senior player whose conduct on campus, in the classroom and on the football field most closely exemplifies the qualities of former Big Ten MVP Corby Davis. Davis, a 1992 inductee into the IU Hall of Fame, earned letters in football in 1934, 1935 and 1937 and lettered in track in 1935. He was the Big Ten MVP and a first team All-American in 1937. The fullback was a first round pick of the Cleveland Rams. His four-year professional career was broken up because he served in the War prior to retiring in 1942.
Richardson provided experience to Indiana's defensive line in 2005 after playing in all 11 games. Overall, he tallied 19 tackles, with 13 solos and three tackles for loss. He also broke up a pass against Central Michigan. Richardson's best contest came against Michigan State as he posted three takedowns with two solos and one assist. One of those tackles went for a five-yard loss.
"Even though he was not a captain, Russ was one of the emotional leaders of this football team," Hoeppner said. "Russ is one of the many reasons why this senior class is so special. These guys each have great hearts and a will to get better every day."
Defensive end Victor Adeyanju took home the Chris Del Sasso Award, given to the defensive lineman who exemplifies the qualities of Chris Dal Sasso, a three-year letterman and captain in 1936. Following graduation Dal Sasso spent 15 years at South Bend Central High School as an assistant coach, head coach and athletic director. His tenure there was interrupted by a four-year stint in the Air Force. Dal Sasso joined the Indiana coaching staff in 1952 as an assistant coach, where he served in that capacity until taking over an assistant administrator position in 1957. In this position he handled the Big Ten financial aid program.
Adeyanju, a second team all-league selection by both the coaches and media, closed his Indiana career by starting 43 straight games. He recorded 47 tackles (12 for loss and 6.5 sacks, including a season-high 12 tackles (seven solo, five assists) in the season finale against Purdue. Adeyanju also had a career-high three tackles for loss at Iowa and two sacks against Kentucky. Adeyanju will participate in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 28.
"Vic was the model of consistency for us," Hoeppner said. "He is a special player. But the most impressive thing about him is that he is so down to earth, he does not take anything for granted. He has a tremendous work ethic, which is why he has an unbelievable future ahead of him."
Offensive tackle Isaac Sowells is the Don Howell Award recipient, given to the outstanding offensive lineman in memory of Don Howell. Howell was a two-way lineman from Hobart, Ind. He played for the Hoosiers from 1954-57 and served as the team's captain in 1957. After graduation he returned to his hometown and later served as the head coach at Hobart High School, where he won over 300 games to rank as one of the state's all-time winningest high school head coaches.
Sowells started 39 games at left tackle in his Hoosier career, including 28 straight from 2002 through the fourth game of the 2004 campaign. He suffered an arm injury the week of the Michigan game and missed the remainder of that season. Sowells bounced back to start all 11 contests as a senior. He has participated in the Las Vegas All-American Classic and will compete in the Jan. 21 East-West Shrine Game in San Antonio.
"Isaac played a key role in a veteran offensive line for us," Hoeppner said. "NFL scouts look at his size, speed and long arms and realize that he has the potential to play guard or tackle at the next level."
Running back Yamar Washington garnered the Al Barsch Award, given to the player who has hung tough and fought through adversity. Al Barsch was an alumnus from Ohio who helped Indiana in recruiting and assisted players in finding jobs in the Cleveland area. He died of cancer in the mid 1980's.
Indiana's second-leading rusher as a senior (443 yards), Washington battled back from major knee surgery in 2003. An Academic All-Big Ten and Academic All-District selection, Washington opened his final campaign with 108 yards on 20 carries at Central Michigan, and his second-best game came in the finale against Purdue, when he finished with 44 yards on eight carries.
"While our quarterback and many of the receivers saw their first significant playing time this past year, we were lucky to have an experienced offensive line and two veteran running backs in C.T. and Yamar," Hoeppner said. "Yamar's running style on the field personified his approach to everything he does - go all-out until the whistle blows."
Pannozzo was named the Pete Schmidt Award winner. This award is given to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of former Indiana Assistant Head Coach Pete Schmidt. Most specifically to the individual who places the Indiana Football program above himself. One of the most highly successful coaches in college football history, Schmidt passed away on September 29, 2000, after a year-long battle with lymphoma. "There is no such thing as a bad day," Schmidt would often say and it best describes the manner in which he lived his life.
A three-year starter at fullback, Pannozzo moved to middle linebacker for his senior season and immediately became the Hoosiers' defensive general. He earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors following the season opener at Central Michigan (three tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble), and 52 tackles (40 solos) 7.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. He also forced three fumbles along with two fumble recoveries for 100 yards. Remarkably, his 57-yard recovery against Ohio State went the distance for a touchdown. Unfortunately, his senior season was cut short with a hand injury at Michigan State.
"John Pannozzo was an inspiration to me and to this program," Hoeppner said. "He is a tough guy, and I love tough guys. When we first approached him about moving to linebacker, he was reluctant, but he is a team guy who flourished in that role."
Senior defensive end Ben Ishola took home the Break Through Player Award. A native of Berlin, Germany, Ishola arrived at Indiana in the fall of 2002 after playing for the Berlin Adler American Football Club. Ishola attended an NFL Europe tryout camp in Berlin, and a scout at the camp encouraged him to pursue college football scholarship opportunities in the United States. Ishola played in 33 games as a Hoosier, and he started all 11 games of his senior season. He opened the year with five tackles at Central Michigan and followed that with a career-high six stops against Nicholls State. Ishola closed the year with 27 total tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss.
"I grew especially close to this senior class, and I regret the fact that I only got to coach them for one season," Hoeppner said. "In particular, I wish I could coach Ben for more than a year. He has the physical tools to be an outstanding player, combined with a tremendous desire to excel."
Wide receiver James Hardy and defensive back Will Meyers garnered the Hoosier Big Playmaker Awards on offense and defense, respectively. Hardy was named second team all-league and was a Freshman All-American honoree by Rivals.com and CollegeFootballNews.com after 61 receptions for 893 yards and 10 touchdowns. The 61 receptions are third in single-season school history, the 893 yards are fifth and the 10 touchdowns are second.
Meyers, a first team Academic All-American, played in all 11 games in 2005. Meyers was one of the Hoosiers' most consistent defensive players, notching four double digit tackle performances. He tied his career-high with 13 tackles each against Iowa and Minnesota, and he added 10 stops at Michigan and 11 against Illinois. He posted his first career interception against the Illini, and he returned it 34 yards.
"What more can you say about James Hardy?," Hoeppner said. "Wide receiver is one of the more complex positions on the football field, so to have that much success in his first season speaks volumes about James' talent and potential. Will Meyers is just a smart, heady football player. He has a knack for being in the right place at the right time, and he makes his presence felt when he gets there."
Redshirt freshman running back Demetrius McCray and redshirt freshman defensive tackle Emile Bass earned the 2005 Scout of the Year honors.
"We had some solid athletes on our scout team, which served as great preparation for our starters and also indicates the potential of this program," Hoeppner said. "Our defense came up with a new verb, "McCrayed," which means that you tried to tackle him but did not come close. Emile Bass has a shot to be a real force on the defensive line for us.
"The Hoosiers have some great opportunities ahead in 2006, and we are going to take full advantage of them."
2005 INDIANA FOOTBALL AWARDS
2005 Scout of the Year Awards
Offense - Demetrius McCray
Defense - Emile Bass
Hoosier Big Play Maker Award
Offense - James Hardy
Defense - Will Meyers
Break-Through Player Award - Ben Ishola
Pete Schmidt Award "Team Above Self Award" - John Pannozzo
Al Barsch Award "Hang Tough Award" - Yamar Washington
Don Howell Award "Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award" - Isaac Sowells
Chris Dal Sasso Award "Outstanding Defensive Lineman Award"
- Victor Adeyanju
Corby David Memorial Award - Russ Richardson
Ted Verlihay Award "Mental Attitude and Loyalty Award"
- Adam Hines
Ted Whereatt Award "Senior Academic Excellence Award"
- Will Lumpkin
Howard Brown Award - Chris Taylor
Hoosier Captains 2005
Adam Hines
Will Lumpkin
John Pannozzo
Chris Taylor
Anthony Thompson MVP Award - Kyle Killion
