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Here's all you need to know about the University of Indiana football team and why it's one of the worst programs in the country: One of the school's best-ever quarterbacks was moved to receiver this spring.
That would be Kellen Lewis, and now the senior won't even be able to help the Hoosiers there, as he has been kicked off the team for the second time in a year - but this time it's permanent.
Lewis, a former All-Big Ten QB, was kicked off the squad this week for an undisclosed violation of team rules, just over a year after he drew a four-month suspension for other violations.
"We are disappointed to have to make this decision," IU coach Bill Lynch said in a statement released by the university. "When you have expectations of those on your team that are not met, you need to do what is ultimately in the overall best interest of your program."
Lewis burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman in 2006. When the Hoosiers lost their top two quarterbacks with injuries against Ball State, Lewis took over and led a rally to give Indiana a 24-23 victory. Later that season, he was named the full-time starter.
In his sophomore season, he set school records for most passing yards in a season (3,043), most passing touchdowns in a season (28), most overall touchdowns in a season (37) and most total yards in a season (3,779). He was named second-team all-Big Ten and led the Hoosiers to a 7-6 record and a berth in the Insight Bowl. That was IU's first bowl bid since 1993.
The vaunted quarterback competition at Southern Cal, which has become probably the most recognized job in all of college football, is over for now.
Aaron Corp
is your starter, beating out two former national high school players of the year in junior Mitch Mustain and true freshman Matt Barkley.
Barkley made this a close competition, which is startling considering that USC coach Pete Carroll is loathe to turn his offense over to a true freshman. What set Corp apart was his ability to avoid mistakes and his knowledge of the playbook. He got into five games last season.
"He's had a great spring and done everything that he can to maximize this opportunity at this point," Carroll said. "He understands the offense, he's moved around well with it and he has really been able to avoid the costly mistakes that you like to see in your starting quarterback."
Corp threw just one interception in 15 spring practices. In the spring game, he threw for 157 yards, including an eight-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Cameron, and broke loose on several scrambles. He has the weakest arm of the three QBs but the most mobility.
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