Quarterback Kellen Lewis earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors twice during October, and he also earned various other accolades from media outlets throughout the month. |
Indiana Athletics October In Review
Nov. 3, 2006
IUHOOSIERS.com takes a look back at the success of Indiana's athletic programs during the month of October.
FOOTBALL
The Indiana football team closed the month of October with a 3-1 mark to move to 5-4 overall and 3-2 in Big Ten play. To start the month Marcus Thigpen returned yet another kickoff for a touchdown and Austin Starr's 33-yard field goal as time expired carried Indiana past Illinois on Oct. 7, 34-32.
With the Hoosiers down 32-31 with just one second remaining in the contest, Starr lined up and booted a kick that snuck inside the left upright, more than atoning for an earlier miss in the fourth quarter that would have given the Hoosiers the lead. The field goal provided an appropriate ending to an inspired Indiana performance after the Hoosiers trailed big early.
The victory marked the first time since Nov. 10, 2001 (Michigan State) that Indiana won a Big Ten game on the road - snapping a streak of 17 games.
Indiana followed with the program's biggest win in nearly two decades. James Hardy caught three touchdown passes and Kellen Lewis threw for a career-high 255 yards and three scores as Indiana upset No. 13 Iowa 31-28 at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 14. The Hoosiers scored 24 of the game's final 31 points to come away with the victory, their first over a top-15 team since Oct. 10, 1987, against No. 9 Ohio State.
Hardy caught eight passes for 104 yards for the Hoosiers, and his three-touchdown game was the first by an IU receiver since Duane Gunn turned the trick against Minnesota on Oct. 8, 1983. He also moved into a tie for fifth place on the all-time TD list with Gunn, Rob Turner and Bill Malinchak, who all had 14 career receiving scores.
Lewis went 19-for-25 on the day, and added 13 yards rushing and a score on the ground. The Hoosiers got a significant contribution from Demetrius McCray, who came off the bench to record 13 runs for 84 yards, including a career-high 27-yard scamper in the fourth quarter.
The Hoosier defense held Iowa QB Drew Tate to 23-of-40 passing, with Will Meyers making a key interception on the Hawkeyes' final drive to help seal the victory for the Hoosiers. On first-and-10 from the IU 30, Drew dropped back and fired a pass to Andy Brodell. The ball deflected off the sophomore, and Meyers made a diving, one-handed grab to give IU its second takeaway of the contest. The Hoosiers ran out the clock five plays later to preserve the victory.
Following a loss to No. 1 Ohio State, the Hoosiers returned to "The Rock" and closed out October with a resounding victory over Michigan State, 46-21. Redshirt freshman quarterback Kellen Lewis threw for five touchdowns and ran for a sixth as Indiana upended Michigan State in front of a raucous Homecoming crowd. Sophomore wide receiver James Hardy became the first Hoosier in school history to grab four touchdown passes to help IU recapture the Old Brass Spittoon for the first time since 2001.
The Hoosier offense scored its most points ever against Michigan State and the most in any contest since a 56-21 victory over Northwestern on Nov. 3, 2001. Lewis became just the fourth IU player to account for six touchdowns in a single game, joining Levron Williams (Oct. 6, 2001 vs. Wisconsin), Antwaan Randle El (Sept. 12, 1998 vs. Western Michigan) and Bob Hoernschemeyer (1943 vs. Nebraska). His five touchdown passes tied Jay Rodgers and Tim Clifford for the second-most in a single game in school history.
Lewis also set a career-high with 261 passing yards, completing 15 of his 26 throws. Hardy picked up 83 yards on six catches, while senior Jahkeen Gilmore added 86 yards on three grabs. Sophomore Marcus Thigpen ran for 104 yards and caught two balls for 45 yards, including a 26-yard touchdown in the second quarter. The Hoosiers outscored MSU 36-0 in the second and third quarters combined.
Not to be outmatched by its offensive counterparts, the IU defense put together a stellar effort as well. After MSU went 80 yards and picked up four first downs on its opening drive, the Hoosiers allowed the Spartans just four first downs and 135 yards the rest of the contest. MSU did not pick up another first down until the fourth quarter.
Kellen Lewis earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors twice during the month, USA Today Player of the Week accolades and was named Rivals.com National Freshman of the Week. The Hoosiers were named the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week following their victory over Iowa, and Marcus Thigpen earned Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
MEN'S SOCCER
After starting the season 5-3-2, the seventh-ranked men's soccer team compiled a 7-1 record in October, clinching the Big Ten regular season championship in the final game of the regular season.
Freshman Darren Yeagle earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors on Oct. 2 after pushing the Hoosiers past Michigan State in double overtime, 2-1. Freshman Eric Alexander was given the award on Oct. 9, with goals against Louisville and Northwestern, while sophomore goalie Chay Cain earned Defensive honors as he shut out the Cardinals and Wildcats. Victories over IUPUI, Ohio State and Butler, plus a loss to archrival Penn State rounded out the month before the Hoosiers faced Wisconsin on Oct. 27, for a showdown for the Big Ten regular season title. Freshman Lee Hagedorn scored his first career goal in the 78th minute to earn Indiana the No. 1 seed for the Big Ten Tournament. Sophomore Brian Ackley was deemed Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after netting an assist on the goal, plus tallying three earlier in the week against Butler.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
The beginning of October was much the same as September for the women's soccer team, as the Hoosiers kicked off the month with a Big Ten road victory against Michigan, 2-1. After a 1-0 defeat of Evansville on Oct. 4, the Hoosiers entered their contest with perennial powerhouse Penn State with an 11-game unbeaten streak. The two squads played one of the most exciting games of the season, and each emerged with a point after a scoreless draw.
On Saturday, Oct. 13, Indiana notched a 1-0 win over Wisconsin to stretch the unbeaten streak to 13 games. The victory also clinched a personal milestone for head coach Mick Lyon, as he registered his 150th career victory in the contest. The Hoosiers wrapped up the month by earning the fourth seed in the Big Ten Tournament with a 5-4-1 mark in conference and a 9-6-4 record overall.
FIELD HOCKEY
The Indiana field hockey boasted another successful month in October. The Hoosiers recorded a 4-3 record in October, including wins over then-No. 5 Ohio State to open the month and then-No. 7 Penn State to close October.
For the month, three Hoosiers earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors. For the first time in program history, IU swept the weekly conference accolades on Oct. 2, as junior Kate O'Connell earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors and junior goalkeeper Haley Exner was tabbed Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week laurels, both for their performances against the Buckeyes and Iowa. Exner earned the honor again on Oct. 22 for her shutout win over Penn State.
Indiana began the month in thrilling fashion, as the Hoosiers defeated then-No. 5 Ohio State, 2-1. O'Connell and senior back Morgan Miller scored for the Hoosiers in the win.
Indiana claimed back-to-back wins over Lindenwood (Oct. 8) and Northeastern (Oct. 14) midway through the month.
Indiana's 9-0 win over Lindenwood set the single-game team scoring record. The previous mark of seven was set in last season's match against Lindenwood. Additionally, freshman forward Alina Valenti who made her first career start for IU against Lindenwood, scored three goals, marking the sixth time a Hoosier has scored three goals in a game. A total of eight Hoosiers (Meredith Brown, Fenna Geuskens, Katie Kiper, Miller, O'Connell, Amanda Oyler, Rachel Telian, Valenti) made an impact on the scoresheet against Lindenwood on Oct. 8, while four Hoosiers (Brown, Miller O'Connell, Oyler) tallied multiple points in the win. Additionally, sophomore goalkeeper Jobi Manson earned her first career start on Oct. 8 against Lindenwood. Manson not only earned her first career win as a Hoosier in her first start, she also claimed the shutout and maintained her perfect save percentage. The Lions took three penalty corners, but Manson saved their only shot on goal in the 9-0 win.
The Hoosiers topped Northeastern in IU's third overtime game of the season. Telian put Indiana on top early, but it was O'Connell who netted the game-winning goal in the 74th minute to give IU the 2-1 victory.
After suffering a pair of conference losses to Michigan and Michigan State, the Hoosiers rebounded to close the season with another milestone. For the first time in program history, IU notched its first win over the Nittany Lions in nine tries. Additionally, the 1-0 win marked the first time PSU has been shutout in 38 games. Telian netted the only goal of the game and the game winner, as the Hoosiers closed the regular season with a 14-4 overall record and a No. 2 seed at the 2006 Big Ten Tournament.
VOLLEYBALL
The volleyball team struggled in October, dropping all eight matches. Sophomore Erica Short led the Hoosiers with 97 kills throughout the month, while junior Lauren Ditteon had four services aces. Sophomore Juli Pierce led IU with 131 digs, including a season high 24 on Oct. 20 against Northwestern. Junior Annie Moddrell led the team with 28 blocks, four of which were solo and 24 that were assisted.
MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
The IU men's cross country team opened the month of October at Pre-Nationals on Oct. 14, where they finished 34th with a team score of 730. Sophomore Mark Fruin led the Hoosiers with a time of 24:49 for 90th in the Pre-Nationals 8K blue race.
The Hoosiers wrapped up the month of October hosting the Big Ten Championships. IU placed three runners in the top 25 and put together a team score of 151 for sixth place. Sophomore Tim McLeod led the way for the Hoosiers, finishing 12th overall with a time of 24:46 in the 8K race. Redshirt freshman Jordan Kyle finished second for IU, placing 16th overall with a time of 24:57. Both McLeod and Kyle's times in the league championship rank fifth and seventh, respectively, on the Hoosiers' all-time list for times on the IU course. McLeod earned second team all-league honors for his finish.
WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
The IU women's cross country team opened the month of October at Pre-Nationals on Oct. 14, where they finished 15th with a team score of 441 points. Senior Jessica Gall led the Hoosiers finishing seventh overall with a time of 20:29 in the 6K blue race.
The Hoosiers wrapped up the month of October at Big Ten Championships and placed seventh with 158 points. Gall led Indiana for a fifth consecutive race, finishing 10th overall with a time of 21:01 in the 6K. Gall's performance earned her a spot on the All-Big Ten Second Team.
MEN'S GOLF
The men's golf team participated in three tournaments during the month of October, starting with the Wolf Run Invitational Oct. 7-8. Serving as hosts, the Hoosiers finished in seventh place with a team total of 909. The Hoosiers also headed to Oregon for the Big Ten/Pac-10 Challenge, held at Pacific Dunes Golf Course, ranked No. 1 in Golf Magazine's Top 100 You Can Play in 2006, where they finished in 10th position with a total of 918. IU wrapped up the fall portion of its schedule at The Landfall Tradition in Wilmington, N.C., taking sixth with a total of 914. Sophomore Jorge Campillo finished in the top 10 in all six events on IU's fall schedule and wrapped up the fall ranked No. 26 in the country according to GolfWeek.
WOMEN'S GOLF
The women's golf team saw action in two tournaments during the month of October, beginning with a trip to New Mexico. Marking the first time that the program had ever competed in a tournament in the state, the Hoosiers finished eighth at the Price's "Give `Em Five Fund" New Mexico State Invitational with a total of 919. Leading the way for the Hoosiers at the tournament was freshman Laura Nochta, who tied for 13th place. The Hoosiers wrapped up the fall campaign with an 11th place finish at the Edwin Watts/Palmetto Intercollegiate, carding a total of 916. Another freshman, Anita Gahir, finished in a share of 15th to led IU. According to the Oct. 26 ranking, the IU freshman class, made up of Nochta, Gahir and Kellye Belcher, were ranked No. 1 freshman class in the country by GolfStat.
MEN'S SWIMMING AND DIVING
No. 12 Indiana opened its season with three consecutive meets against ranked opponents, going 2-1. IU opened it season with a convincing 175-125 win over No. 18 Kentucky on Oct. 21, getting four wins each from Ben Hesen and Todd Patrick. The Hoosiers lost to No. 8 Northwestern on Oct. 27, with Hesen and Taylor Roberts getting two wins each. Hesen tied for first in the 100-yard backstroke, turning in a time of 47.24 to share first place with two-time defending NCAA champion Matt Grevers of Northwestern. Indiana capped its month with a win over No. 19 Arizona State, with Hesen, Roberts, Todd Patrick, Pay Penoyar and Nick Walkotten combining for 11 event wins. Roberts was named the Big Ten Diver of the Week and Hesen was named CollegeSwimming.com's National Collegiate Swimmer of the Week for their efforts against Northwestern and Arizona State.
WOMEN'S SWIMMING AND DIVING
No. 17 Indiana opened the season 3-0 in October, taking meets over No. 23 Kentucky, Big Ten rival Northwestern and Arizona State. Christina Loukas earned back-to-back weekly honors from the Big Ten, being named Diver of the Week on Oct. 24 and Oct. 31, and went a perfect 6-0 on the boards for the month. She also set a new school record in the three-meter, turning in a score of 373.95 against Kentucky. Leila Vaziri, who posted five NCAA B cuts in the wins over Northwestern and ASU, was named Big Ten Swimmer of the Week on Oct. 31. Indiana's phenomenal freshman class made its presence felt, with no fewer than seven of the rookies entering Indiana's all-time top 20 list in several events. Freshmen Presley Bard and Brittany Barwegen both posted B cuts during the month, as did sophomore Allison Kay, who won four events against Arizona State on Oct. 28.
ROWING
Indiana's rowing squad hosted a pair of scrimmages and competed in the prestigious Head of the Charles in October. On Oct. 15, the Hoosiers hosted Cincinnati, with the varsity eight finishing second to the Bearcats' varsity eight in a head race. The Hoosiers then won three of five two-minute pieces against UC. Oct. 21, Indiana hosted Louisville in a scrimmage, and both teams competed without their varsity eights, as both were at the Head of the Charles. Louisville's second varsity eight just edged Indiana's third varsity eight in the head race, while the Hoosiers' second varsity eight picked up a win in the second head race. IU capped its month with the varsity eight competing at the Head of the Charles, coming in 28th out of 45 teams on Oct. 22.
SOFTBALL
The Indiana softball team claimed the IU Fall Classic title on Oct. 1 at the IU Softball Field with 3-2 win over Indiana State and a 5-3 victory over IUPUI to cap the fall campaign. In two games, the Hoosiers tallied eight runs and 24 hits.
The Indiana softball program announced its captains for the 2006-07 season. Senior Rachel Terry and redshirt junior Tory Yamaguchi were named captains for the upcoming campaign, head coach Stacey Phillips announced on Oct. 24.
WOMEN'S TENNIS
The women's tennis team participated in two tournaments during October in their fall season. Indiana hosted the Hoosier Classic, Oct. 6-8. Freshman Erin Clark won all three matches she competed in at the Classic, while the doubles tandem of senior Cecile Perton and sophomore Sigrid Fischer went 3-1 in doubles.
At the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's (ITA) Midwest Regional Oct. 19-21, freshman Lindsey Stuckey won her first three matches in the qualifying draw to reach the main draw. She went 4-1 through the course of the tournament.
MEN'S TENNIS
The men's tennis team participated in the ITA Midwest Regional on Oct. 20-22, while Indiana also hosted the Hoosier Invitational the same weekend.
At the Regional, senior David Bubenicek and junior Dara McLoughlin went 2-1, falling to the No. 1 seed in the third round. In singles, Bubenicek tallied a 2-1 record. As the No. 18 seed in the tournament, he upset the sixth-seeded D.J. Geatz of Minnesota, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6.
Back in Bloomington at the Invite, senior Arnaud Roussel won the singles bracket with a hard-fought victory over Michael Muskievicz of Wisconsin, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to take the singles flight.
