Countdown to Kickoff: 11 Days (Antwaan Randle El)

Written By: Nick Holmes (@HoosierHolmes)

#11

We are down to just 11 days until the Hoosiers open up the 2016 season against the Florida International Panthers. Kevin Wilson and his Crimson and Cream crew will be looking to open the season with a win on a road for the first time since 2005. Today we will be taking a look at Hoosier legend, the most recent and most notable player to wear the number 11 at Indiana.

Antwaan Randle El (Former Hoosier)

-    Height: 5’10”
-    Weight: 185lbs. 
-    Position: Quarterback
-    Hometown: Riverdale, Illinois

Simply the best, there is no other way to put it. Admittedly, I might be a little biased, but for a kid growing up in Southern Indiana in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, when it came to college football, there was no player better than Hoosiers’ all-time great Antwaan Randle El.
 
My exposure to the program, as I have mentioned in the past, began at the ripe old age of four, when Bill Mallory was pacing the slide lines of Memorial Stadium. His teams played, in today’s terms, a smash mouth brand of football. Defense and running the pigskin were often hallmarks of those mid 90’s squads.

After Mallory was, to most, undeservedly let go and Cam Cameron took his place, there was a shift in philosophy. More focus was put on offense, as Cameron had previously spent time as the Washington Redskins quarterbacks coach. During that first season in 1997 however, the Hoosiers struggled mightily, limping to a 2-9 record that was capped off by a 56-7 drubbing at the hands of the Boilermakers.
 
On top of all that, the Indiana offense scored a measly 10.6 points per game, good for second-to-last in the nation. In fact, during a particularly poor four week stretch during the middle of the season the Hoosiers scored just six points.
 
However, the 1998 season was the beginning of an era few Hoosier fans will ever forget, the Antwaan Randle El era. No, Indiana did not make it to a bowl game during the four years of his career, but no one can take away the sheer excitement of watching Randle El terrorize opposing defenses week in and week out.
 
Randle El played an integral role in helping the team not only double its offensive output during his freshman season, but double their win total. Indiana averaged 22.3 points per game and picked up four wins, but lost three games by one possession or less. That season Randle El earned Big Ten Player of the Week twice and was the named the conference’s best freshman.
 
For a player that many believed too small to play division one football, he certainly proved his doubters wrong early and often that season.
 
As good as his freshman season was, Randle El knew there was plenty to improve upon, namely in the pass game. As a freshman he threw just 6 touchdowns to 11 interceptions, while completing just 46.5% of his passes.
 
During his sophomore season, statistically his best as a Hoosier, he completed 150 passes and threw for 2,277 yards and 17 touchdowns, all career bests. He also scored 13 touchdowns on the ground, which tied for a career best.
 
He was selected to the All-Big Ten second team by both the coaches and media, a well-deserved honor. The Hoosiers collected four wins again, but nearly knocking off ranked opponent Michigan and Purdue.
 
While his passing prowess took a step back as a junior, his rushing attack was more potent than ever. He picked up 1,270 yards on just 218 carries, good for a 5.8 yard per carry average, both were career highs. He visited the end zone on the ground 13 times once again. And for the second straight season he was named to the All-Big Ten second team by both the coaches and media.
 
Unfortunately, the team did not fare as well, winning just three games during the season. But as you might have guessed, the Hoosiers lost four games by a possession or less. The defense also gave up 38.8 points per game, often negating the Hoosiers explosive offensive output.

During his final season in Bloomington, Randle El led a dynamic rushing attack that also featured the likes of Levron Williams and Jeremi Johnson. The defense also took a step forward in 2001. And despite winning four of their last five games, the Hoosiers fell short of the postseason once again.
 
Randle El accounted for over 2,600 yards (964 rushing and 1664 passing yards) that season, and 17 touchdowns (8 rushing and 9 passing). As a result, he was named the Big Ten Offensive MVP and was sixth in Heisman.
 
When all was said and done, Randle El left Bloomington as a Hoosier legend and to this day one of the greatest dual-threat quarterbacks to play the game. 

Share any memories or recollections you have of Antwaan Randle El as a player in the comments section (or on the message boards) and be sure to come back to Hoosier Huddle each day during our countdown!