It was announced Monday evening that five Hoosier football players were named to All-Big Ten teams this season. Junior wide receiver James Hardy, senior cornerback Tracy Porter, junior kicker Austin Starr, sophomore quarterback Kellen Lewis, and sophomore defensive end Greg Middleton each earned conference honors. It was the program’s highest number of honorees since the 1998 season. Fifth-year senior offensive lineman John Sandberg and sophomore safety Austin Thomas also received honorable mention recognition, while fifth-year senior fullback Josiah Sears was the Hoosier’s sportsmanship honoree.
Hardy's huge season helped him receive first team honors.
Hardy and Middleton were the only Indiana players to receive first team recognition from both the coaches and the media, while Starr and Porter were first team media selections, but second team in the coaches’ poll. The four first teamers were tied for second most in the Big Ten with Penn State, trailing only Ohio State’s six selections. Kellen Lewis was name to the second team by the coaches and the media.
Hardy is one of twelve finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, which honors the nation’s top wide receiver. He is Indiana University’s all time receiving leader in touchdowns (36), yards (2,690), and receptions (186) and catching 16 touchdown passes for 1,075 yards this season.
Middleton leads the nation in sacks with 16, which also set a new school record. It tied him for fourth place all-time for sacks in a Big Ten single season. He anchored the defensive unit that also set a new record with 42 sacks in a single season, which ranked it in the topped five nationally.
Porter was a four-year starter and led the team with six interceptions. Porter also finished second on the all-time IU interceptions list.
Starr is one of three finalists for the Lou Groza award as the nation’s top kicker. He hit 19 field goals on the season, including 15 in a row. He also finished the regular season a perfect 45-45 on extra points, while only missing 2 of 21 field goals.
Lewis set single-season school passing records in the touchdowns category (26), total touchdowns by a quarterback (34), and completions (243). His total offensive output (3,492 yards) was the 11th highest total in Big Ten history.
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