After experiencing it's first winning season since 1994, five Hoosiers were honored by the Big Ten and were named to the Big Ten's first and second teams.
Both sophomore defensive lineman Greg Middleton and junior wide receiver James Hardy were named to the all-Big Ten first team by the coaches and the media. Middleton broke Van Waiters record of 14 sacks, set in 1987, and finished the year with 15 sacks - including 2.5 against Purdue last Saturday. Hardy, on the other hand, set record after record during this season. His 36 career touchdowns are best of any wide receiver in IU history. The junior wide receiver also was a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist, is now the all-time wide receiver in yards (2,690) and receptions (186). He also broke the single-season records of receptions (74) and touchdowns (16) - good for second in the nation.
Also receiving recognition by the conference was senior cornerback Tracy Porter and junior kicker Austin Starr. Both were named to the all-Big Ten first team by the media, but both were named to the second team by the coaches. Porter picked off six passes this year, and is the first person for the Hoosiers to accomplish that feat since 1982. Starr finished the season kicking 19-21 field goals, and 45-45 extra points. Aside from kicking the game-winning 49-yard field goal against Purdue, Starr kicked 10-11 field goals over 40 yards and set a school record making 15 kicks in a row. His 19 field goals in a season are a school record as well.
Sophomore quarterback Kellen Lewis was named to the all-Big Ten second team by both the coaches and the media. Lewis, a versatile quarterback, set school records of 2,839 yards passing and 34 total touchdowns by quarterback (26 passing touchdowns).
Senior offensive lineman John Sandberg and sophomore safety Austin Thomas both earned honorable mentions, and senior fullback Josiah Sears was the Hoosiers' sportsmanship honoree.
Are you guys satisfied with the Big Ten's results? Did anybody get snubbed? Did anybody get too much recognition? Spew your thoughts and we'll do our best to answer them.
