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Davion Ervin-Poindexter Named Nominee for Burlsworth Trophy
Indiana football junior running back Davion Ervin-Poindexter was honored as a nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy, given to the nation’s most outstanding student-athlete that began his career as a walk-on. In the award’s twelfth year, the trophy is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, former University of Arkansas walk-on and All-American offensive lineman. The Burlsworth Trophy is given to the most outstanding football player in American who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field. Each nominee must have begun his first season of participation with FBS football program without financial aid of any kind from his university’s athletic department. Ervin-Poindexter joined the Hoosier program as a walk-on in 2019 and was a two-time scout team player of the week. The 2020 season saw him earn IU’s Chris Beaty Outstanding Walk-On Player of the Year after logging time on special teams in each of the teams eight games. The Merrillville, Indiana, native has again seen time in each game of the 2021 season and rushed for 128 yards on 19 carries. He scored his first career touchdown against Idaho. Against the Vandals, he recovered a blocked punt in the fourth quarter and punched in the final score of the game on a 4-yard rush on the ensuing drive. His long carry came against Cincinnati, a 37-yard burst, and he gained a career-best 40 yards on five carries against Michigan State. The Burlsworth Trophy award ceremony to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2021 winner will on December 6th at 7:00pm CST at Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Indiana Wrestling to Appear Twice on National Television
The Big Ten Conference announced its 2021-2022 National TV Schedule for Wrestling, in accordance with television partners ESPN and Big Ten Network, the conference will televise over 25 regular season matches to a national audience. Following the regular season, the Big Ten Tournament will air three of its four sessions on Big Ten Network. The conference’s national television schedule will culminate with each weight class crowning a champion on Saturday, March 6th in Lincoln, Nebraska. IU will be featured at least twice on the Big Ten Network with the potential for a third duel to be picked up by the network. On January 17, 2022, IU will host its first home match in front of fans since February of 2020 when it takes on Michigan State at 3:30 p.m. on BTN. Two weeks later, IU will host in-state rival Purdue at 12:00 p.m. on January 29, 2022. The Hoosiers’ match with Penn State in Happy Valley on January 9, 2022 has the potential to be flexed to BTN depending on NFL scheduling. IU opens the season on Sunday November 7th with a trip to Louisville to take on Bellarmine and SIUE.
Indiana Pacers Snap Losing Skid
The Indiana Pacers beat the San Antonio Spurs 131-118 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis Monday Night snapping a four-game losing skid. Domantas Sabonisfinished with 24 points and 13 rebounds and Myles Turner added 19 points. Indiana opened the game by going 8 of 10 from 3-point range and taking a 43-31 lead after one quarter. Then, unlike their previous games, the Pacers continued accelerating. By halftime, the Pacers extended the margin to 78-56 and had five players in double figures. San Antonio couldn’t get closer than 18 until the final few minutes in its most lopsided loss this season. Dejounte Murray finished with 16 points and Devin Vassell had 15 Points to lead San Antonio. The Spurs are 2-6 on the season have lost four of their last five with the only win coming Saturday at defending NBA champion Milwaukee. Indiana improves to 2-6 and hosts New York Tonight at 7 PM wrapping up a three game homestand.
Former Indiana Hoosier OG Anunoby Scores 36 In Madison Square Garden
Former Indiana Hoosier OG Anunoby scored a career high 36 Points as he helped lead the Toronto Raptors to a 113-104 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden Monday Night. Anunoby played 41 minutes, pulled down 6 rebounds and dished out 2 assists. The Small Forward is in 5th season with the Toronto Raptors after being drafted with 23rd overall pick by the Raptors in the 2017 NBA Draft. Anunoby has played in 261 regular season game and started 167 of them. He has scored 2,484 points, pulled down 1,027 rebounds, 326 assists, 273 steals and 118 blocks. Anunoby has played and started in 21 postseason games in 2018 and 2020. He has scored 194 points, pulled down 97 rebounds, 20 assists, 17 blocks and 17 steals. Anunoby is averaging 20.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists through the first eight games of this season. Anunoby played at Indiana from 2015-2017. He played in 50 games with 10 starts and averaged 6.8 points per game. He injured his right knee against Penn State on January 18th, 2017 undergoing season ending knee surgery and declaring for the NBA Draft after the season.