Countdown to Kickoff: 95 days (Bobby Richardson and Charles Beauchamp)
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Written By: Nick Holmes (@HoosierHolmes)
We continue our countdown to kickoff as the 2015 campaign continues to draw nearer, now just 95 days until the Hoosiers open up against the Southern Illinois Salukis. As 95 has yet to be assigned to anyone for this upcoming season, we will look at a couple of historical Hoosiers who have sported the number during their tenure in Bloomington.
Bobby Richardson
A member of Coach Wilson's inaugural class in 2011, Florida native Bobby Richardson was mainstay along the defensive front the last four seasons for the Hoosiers. During his senior season Richardson was named a team captain and led the team in both sacks and tackles-for-loss, with 5.5 and 9.5, respectively. Due to his efforts and contributions, Richardson was named honorable mention All-Big Ten (coaches and media) and received the team's Chris Dal Sasso Award, given to the team's most outstanding lineman.
| Bobby Richardson - Defensive Line | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 2011-14 6'3''/ 305 Tampa, Fla Plant | Defense | GP | GS | Tkl | Sks/Yds | TFL/Yds | FF | FR | PBU |
| 2014 | 12 | 11 | 35 | 5.5/39 | 9.5/48 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||
| 2013 | 12 | 10 | 39 | 0 | 3.5/9 | 0 | 0 | 3 | ||
| 2012 | 12 | 0 | 28 | 2.5/14 | 5/21 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
| 2011 | 9 | 6 | 27 | 3/21 | 4/21 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Total | 45 | 27 | 129 | 11/74 | 22/99 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
While his time in Bloomington as a player has come to an end, his playing career seems to be far from over. Despite going undrafted in last month's NFL Draft, Richardson will quickly snatched up by the New Orleans Saints. Richardson looks to have a golden opportunity in the Big Easy, as the team is looking to improve their pass rush. Prior to the draft, many pundits were optimistic that he should be able to find a place in the NFL.
"Richardson's tape is full of plays and near plays thanks to his outstanding pursuit and his ability to shed and find the ball quickly. While he lacks the desired height to play defensive end in an odd front, his length and outstanding work with his hands give him a shot at that spot. He has enough strength and room for more bulk to project inside in an upfield 4-3 defense. Richardson's athleticism and hand usage make him an ascending prospect with starter potential." - Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
Charles Beauchamp
Richardson might be one of the more notable, recent players to don 95 for Indiana, but he is far from the only talented player to do so. Also from the Sunshine state, Charles Beauchamp was a star on defense for Coach Bill Mallory's Hoosiers in the early 90's, starting on three bowl teams while at Indiana.
Beauchamp was a two-sport standout at New Smyrna Beach High School, starring for the Barracudas on both the hardwood and gridiron. As a freshman he stood 6-foot-2 and 165 pounds, leading many to believe that he would get his college paid for by playing hoops at the next level. However, after growing just one inch, but adding 45 pounds while in high school, he found that his prospects to play at the next level were much greater in football. When it came time to choose, he narrowed his list to Duke, Florida, Georgia Tech and Indiana, before deciding he wanted to play for the Hoosiers.
Beauchamp made an immediate impact, recording 62 total tackles, including six for a loss as a freshman. He started in the team's finale against Auburn in a 27-23 loss at the 1990 Peach Bowl. During his sophomore campaign his outstanding play led to his inclusion on the All-Big Ten second team. The 1991 season was the last time the Hoosiers were victorious in a bowl game, when they blanked Baylor 24-0 in the Copper Bowl. A knee injury cut his junior year short.
The Hoosiers defeated the Baylor Bears in a dominating fashion, 24-0 in the 1991 Copper Bowl. - Photo Credit - Indiana University Athletics
Beauchamp's senior season the team was faced with the dilemma of having three talented defensive ends, so Coach Mallory moved the versatile athlete to linebacker. "He's the type of player who would be good wherever you put him." says Mallory. You can stand him on his head and he'd be good. He has great football instincts. He has a knack of getting to the ball.
Although somewhat reluctant to make the transition at first, Beauchamp did not miss a beat, coming up big for the Hoosiers in multiple games during the his senior season. The team captain recorded 12 tackles in the Hoosiers first game of the season, a 27-0 victory over the Toledo Rockets. "He's come on even quicker than we expected", said Mallory.
Beauchamp's career came to an end in Shreveport, Louisiana at the Independence Bowl in a 45-20 loss to Virginia Tech.