Football players earn preseason honors

Numerous national sports publications have recently honored eight IU football players for their individual effort last year and for their potential success in the upcoming season as well. \nSix Hoosiers were named to the 2004 Street and Smith's All-American Team Honorable Mention, which included sophomore running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis, senior wide receiver Courtney Roby, senior defensive lineman Jodie Clemons, junior offensive lineman Isaac Sowells, senior offensive lineman Chris Jahnke and senior safety Herana-Daze Jones. Clemons was also honored by being named to the 2004 Street and Smith's All-Big Ten Team. The preseason awards come as a nice surprise to the Hoosier players, but other factors are contributing to their drive and determination for the upcoming season.\n"It's great to be recognized but when I step out on the field, I give 100 percent everyday," Roby said. "I'm playing hard for my team and also because it is my last season."\nSenior quarterback Matt LoVecchio has also been named to the preseason watch list for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, a prestigious accolade that is given to the best college quarterback of the year and has been awarded to former college stars as Peyton Manning, Troy Aikman and Steve Young. \n"It's an extreme honor to be a part of that list," LoVecchio said. "But this year the team comes first and we are working as hard as we can to be a better football team."\nRoby said he believes a year of experience working with LoVecchio will help both players excel this season. \n"Last year me and LoVecchio had some communication issues, but this year we are both working hard to hook up better, which will help his chances in winning that (Davey O'Brien) award, as well as the team's chances for having a better season this year," Roby said.\nOther accolades came to the Hoosier players via The Sporting News magazine, as the widely-read publication named Green-Ellis the best short-yardage runner in the Big Ten and the second-best running back between the tackles in the conference. The Sporting News also honored junior John Pannozzo as the second-best blocking fullback in the Big Ten and ranked Sowells as the fourth-best offensive left tackle in the league.\n"Awards don't matter to me," Sowells said. "We are all working hard for team goals -- winning more games, going to a bowl -- just getting better as a team."\nLindy's ranked Clemons as the 14th-best defensive tackle in college football and Green-Ellis the 27th best running back in the nation. Green-Ellis is one of the bright young stars on the 2004 Hoosier team, and as a true sophomore, he has a lot to prove. \n"Let's see how he (Green-Ellis) plays," IU coach Gerry DiNardo said. "The awards are OK, but this year is going to be a great challenge for him. He's been working hard, but this season will be a true test of what kind of player he wants to be."\nRoby said he wants to see Green-Ellis succeed and knows the team's prospective success may count on the Louisiana native's shoulders. \n"BenJarvus is a great player," Roby said. "But he's got to keep it up. You've got to prove yourself over and over again in this game." \nFollowing the team's 2-10 finish last year, DiNardo said he knows that while the preseason accolades are good for the program's name recognition, they don't mean a thing once the season starts. \n"If the awards are kept in perspective, they could be a great motivating factor for some of the younger guys, but the older guys are playing hard because it's their senior season and the pinnacle of their college career," DiNardo said.\nJahnke is one of the seniors recognized by Street and Smith and his leadership is one of the key factors for the Hoosiers' success in the upcoming season. \n"Its always nice to be recognized," Jahnke said. "Having experience gives you the knowledge your team needs to succeed. For us that's going out there and winning and hopefully getting to a bowl game."\nThis upcoming football season the team is looking to improve on last year's finish as the senior-laden team is relying on their experience and the raw talent of young players like Green-Ellis. The first team practice is Aug. 10 and the 2004 season kicks off at Memorial Stadium Sept. 4 against Central Michigan.\n-- Contact staff writer Justin Lev at jbowengo@indiana.edu.