Hardy takes homes Anthony Thompson MVP Award

In a momentous season that looks to culminate in the program’s first bowl appearance in 13 years there was one star that shined brightest—James Hardy. The 6'7 junior had a career-year and led his team through difficult times over the last year. For those efforts Hardy was handed the annual Anthony Thompson MVP Award Sunday night at the team’s award banquet. See who else earned honors inside...

In a momentous season that looks to culminate in the program’s first bowl appearance in 13 years there was one star that shined brightest—James Hardy. The 6-foot-7 junior had a career-year and led his team through difficult times over the last year. For those efforts Hardy was handed the annual Anthony Thompson MVP Award Sunday night at the team’s award banquet.

It was a fitting choice after watching Hardy rewrite the IU receiving record book this season. With his 1,075 yard, 16 touchdown (second nationally), 74 reception effort this season Hardy staked claim to several different records. The Fort Wayne native is now the Hoosiers’ all-time leader in receiving touchdowns (36), receiving yards (2,690), and receptions (186). He is just the fourth Hoosier to reach the 1,000 yard receiving mark and caught a TD in 11 of 12 games this season, also a school-record. His 14 career 100-yard games and 10 multi-touchdown games are also school records.

The junior wasn’t available for comment Sunday night, but here are his thoughts after winning Saturday’s epic battle for the Old Oaken Bucket:

On what the win meant… “It’s just a wonderful feeling and be able to reach our goal and be able to Play 13 This is what Coach Hep started and now we finished it. We finally did it. Now we just got to get prepared and go win this bowl game.”

On staying focused after Purdue’s rally… “We knew the game was going to have ups and downs. We just had to stay consistent. As long as we have the ball I feel we have a great chance to come down and score.”

On what the sold-out stadium meant to the team… “They were wonderful. I have never played in that atmosphere. That was so great. I really can’t even explain it. It was just a wonderful feeling to have all the fans and alumni behind us. Now that we got those victories you can see it’s going to make us play a lot better. Hopefully, now everybody will just come to wherever we play in the bowl game.”

On fulfilling the ‘Play 13’ goal… “We thought all we needed was six (wins), but then we got in our minds that we had to get seven. Coach Hep was the reason and we had to get this seventh win for him for us to reach the goal that he started. There was no doubt in our minds that we were going to get this win today. There were valleys but we stayed consistent.”



OTHER AWARD WINNERS FROM SUNDAY NIGHT’S BANQUET

2007 Scout of the Year Awards Offense - Dan Rutigliano Defense - Fred Jones, Donnell Jones

Hoosier Big Play Maker Award Offense - Kellen Lewis Defense - Will Patterson Special Team - Austin Starr

One Play Warrior Club James Bailey, Tim Bugg, Justin Carrington, Mitchell Evans, Michael Hines, Joe Kleinsmith, Leslie Majors, Matt Mayberry, Tracy Porter, Austin Starr, Josiah Sears

Pete Schmidt "Team Above Self" Award - Charlie Emerson

Al Barsch "Hang Tough" Award - Adam McClurg

Don Howell "Outstanding Offensive Lineman" Award - John Sandberg

Chris Dal Sasso "Outstanding Defensive Lineman" Award - Greg Middleton

Corby Davis Memorial (Conduct) Award - Tracy Porter

Ted Verlihay "Mental Attitude and Loyalty" Award - Josiah Sears

Ted Whereatt "Senior Academic Excellence" Award - Kevin Trulock

Terry P. Cole "Impact Player" Award - Austin Starr

Howard Brown Award - Ben Wyss

Hoosier Captains 2007 Josiah Sears and Tracy Porter