Countdown to 2019 IUFB Kickoff: 79 Days (Charlie O'Connor)

Written by Amanda Pavelka

COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: #79- Charlie O’Connor

Height: 6’2”
Weight:  314 pounds
Hometown: Western Springs, Illinois
Year: Redshirt Freshman
Position: OL

Less than 80 days remain until the long-awaited 2019 Indiana football season. The Hoosiers will make their season debut at Lucas Oil Stadium where they will take on the Ball State Cardinals in a noon game on August 31st. 

Representing the cream and crimson No. 79 jersey this upcoming season will be Charlie O’Connor. 

Hailing out of Western Springs, Illinois, the multi-sport standout made his mark on both the football and track and field programs at Lyons Township High School. O’Connor’s walk-on resume reads “all-area and all-conference selection ... team captain twice was named the team’s most valuable offensive lineman ... three-year football letterwinner ... three-time all-league and West Suburban Conference champion in the shot put,” according to his player profile on IUHoosiers.com. 

Indiana picked up the 6’2” offensive lineman during fall camp. Weighing in at 296 pounds, he used his redshirt for his freshman year. It’s safe to say O’Connor did not waste any time in his offseason, though— he packed on 18 pounds. 

For most of the spring, he was backup center, according to head Coach Tom Allen. “He does a lot of good things,” Allen commented in an April update, “He's a big guy with broad shoulders and is strong and works extremely hard.” This is somewhat surprising for a walk-on, but not-so-surprising for a guy trying to prove himself and be the next man up after Hunter Littlejohn’s last year of eligibility. 

Indiana’s depth at the offensive line is under reconstruction with the loss of last year’s seniors, and it’s guys like Charlie O’Connor that have the potential to add depth to a lineup that needs it.

Hutch’s Trivia Question

In honor of the late Terry Hutchens, we are including a daily IUFB trivia question from his book So You Think You Know Indiana University Football. Hutch is dearly missed and this is our way of keeping his memory with us this season. Please leave your answers in the comments section.

What was IU’s first victory in the current Memorial Stadium?

 (check back tomorrow for the answer)

 Yesterday’s Answer: Two (1945 and 1967)