Looking Back

 

Before looking forward to a new season is might be interesting to look back at recall some of IU's gridiron greats. 

■ Jade Butcher, defensive back, Bloomington, Indiana
■ Harry Gonso, running back, Findlay, Ohio
■ John Isenbarger, quarterback, Muncie Central, Indiana

Historically, freshmen had been ineligible to play on Big Ten or NCAA varsity teams. For the first time, in 1966 Big Ten schools were permitted to have freshman football and basketball teams and play brief schedules: two games in football. The first for Indiana was at Ohio State. And — shock of shocks, first of the wave that was to come — IU won!

At career’s end, all three dominated the all-time IU record book. And what an acronym, Butcher-Isenbarger-Gonso. BIG.

Big as in Rose Bowl, where the team they led played — for the only time in school history — after finishing as Big Ten tri-champions at 9-1, the capper a 19-14 upset of maybe the best Purdue team ever.

Almost every Hoosier team since has exceeded the 19 on offense. No IU defense since has held teams anywhere close to a 14-point average.

And no player in IU history has made a personal sacrifice comparable to captain Doug Crusan, high on pro draft lists after two years as an outstanding offensive tackle, shedding more than 30 pounds and excelling at defensive tackle, and/or fellow senior Terry Cole, a two-year star at running back who selflessly moved to fullback and primarily a blocking role while the backfield spotlight shifted to Gonso and Isenbarger — until Pont twice caught Purdue over-conscious of the Gonso-Isenbarger option threat and broke fullback Cole wide open up the middle for long, touchdown-producing plays.

Most Influential IU Football Players by Position 

 🏈Offense 🏈

Quarterback – Antwaan Randle El
Years: 1998–2001
Why: Electrifying dual-threat QB and the first player in NCAA history to pass for 40 TDs and rush for 40 TDs.
Legacy: Went on to win a Super Bowl with the Steelers and brought national attention to IU Football. A true program icon.

Running Back – Anthony Thompson
Years: 1986–1989
Why: Two-time Big Ten MVP, 1989 Maxwell Award winner, Doak Walker Award winner, and Heisman runner-up.
Legacy: Still holds multiple IU rushing records. Statue-worthy legend in Bloomington

Wide Receiver – James Hardy
Years: 2005–2007
Why: IU’s all-time leader in touchdown receptions (36).
Legacy: Dominated the Big Ten, gave IU a dynamic deep threat it hadn’t had in years.

Tight End – Ted Bolser
Years: 2010–2013
Why: IU’s career leader in receptions, yards, and touchdowns among tight ends.
Legacy: Reliable, physical, and a leader during the Kevin Wilson rebuild.

Offensive Lineman – Dan Feeney
Years: 2012–2016
Why: Four-year starter, All-American, and key part of one of IU’s most explosive offenses.
Legacy: NFL success with the Chargers and Bears; a rock up front.

🏈 Defense 🏈

Defensive Line – Adewale Ogunleye
Years: 1996–1999
Why: IU’s all-time leader in sacks and tackles for loss.
Legacy: Had a long, successful NFL career and was a feared force off the edge.

Linebacker – Tegray Scales
Years: 2014–2017
Why: Led IU in tackles, sacks, and was the heart of a tough defense under Tom Allen.
Legacy: Helped put IU back on the map defensively.

Cornerback – Tracy Porter
Years: 2004–2007
Why: Ball hawk in college, Super Bowl hero in the NFL (pick-six off Peyton Manning).
Legacy: Major impact on and off the field—one of IU’s few household names on defense.

Safety – Eric Allen
Years: 1981–1984
Why: Versatile and instinctive defensive back.
Legacy: Key part of IU’s secondary during the 80s and a longtime pro.

 🏈Special Teams 🏈

Kicker – Pete Stoyanovich
Years: 1985–1988
Why: Big leg, clutch kicker, went on to a standout NFL career.
Legacy: Helped stabilize IU’s special teams when it mattered.

Punter – Chris Sigler
Years: Early 90s
Why: Consistently pinned opponents deep; all-conference honors.
Legacy: Kept IU competitive in field-position battles.

 Overall, Most Influential Hoosier Football Player: 

Anthony Thompson (RB)

No one left a bigger mark on IU football history. He put Indiana in the national spotlight, won nearly every award a college player could win, and continues to represent the program with pride.

Source:

Bob Hammel column: John Isenbarger helped turn around Indiana football

IU Football Facebook group 

Media Day

 

The Big Ten Media Day was held in Las Vegas July 22-24 Indiana coach Curt Cignetti's brash nature was on display. After leading the Hoosiers to an 11-1 regular season record and the most surprising College Football Playoff berth on record. 

Humble and Hungry

Cignetti had a clear message. "I get questions, how are you going to sustain it? We're not looking to sustain it. We're looking to improve it...Consistency is huge so that we can play fast, physical, smart, disciplined, poised, not affected by success, not affected by failure, and never ever satisfied until the game is over."

"The theme of this year really is humble and hungry versus noise and clutter. If you are humble and you are hungry and you got that fire burning inside your belly, and you're committed to high standards then you're going to reach your full potential." Said Cignetti, "I'm really good at keeping the main things the main thing and being a watchdog for complacency and stomping it out." 

SEC scheduling philosophy

Cignetti was asked about the Hoosiers canceling a home-and-home series with Virginia in 2027 and 2028 in favor of adding an extra home game against a lower-level opponent.  The coach pointed out that 12 of the SEC's 16 teams play three games against Group of Five or lower-level FCS teams each season. "We figured we would just adopt SEC scheduling philosophy, you know." Cignetti said. "Some people don't like it. I' more focused in on those nine conference games."

Purdue's Barry Odom

The Hoosiers' scheduling philosophy recently became fodder in their rivalry with Purdue. On a radio show last week, new Boilermakers coach Barry Odom took a jab at his foe to the south. "It's so important to have games that fans are excited about." said Odom, whose team faces Notre Dame in nonconference play this season. "I could take the approach of one of the other schools in the state, cancel games and do some of those things, but the schedule is what it is." Cignetti shrugged it off. "Did I think about it Not much. That would be an overstatement." he said, before winking. "I saw it. It was a flicker in my brain, and it was over." 

Representing the Hoosiers for media interviews were Aiden Fisher (Linebacker) Mikail Kamara (Defensive end) and Elijah Sarratt (Wide receiver). 

Indiana put a pair of players on the 15-man preseason All-Big Ten team in cornerback D'Angelo Ponds and defensive lineman Mikail Kamara. 

This season, IU faces three teams in the top 11 ESPN's early rankings in Oregon, Penn State, and Illinois. The media picked the Hoosiers to finish sixth in the Big Ten with a 9-3 overall record 6-3 in the Big Ten. 

sources

Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette's Dylan Sinn

Image The Big Ten Network 

2025 Scedule

 

Here’s what year two of the Curt Cignetti era looks like:

NON CONFERENCE
Aug. 30 – Old Dominion
Sept. 6 – Kennesaw State
Sept. 13 – Indiana State

CONFERENCE
Sept. 20 – vs. Illinois
Sept. 27 – at Iowa
Oct. 11 – at Oregon
Oct. 18 – vs. Michigan State
Oct. 25 – vs. UCLA
Nov. 1 – at Maryland
Nov. 8 – at Penn State
Nov. 15 – vs. Wisconsin
Nov. 29 – at Purdue

The nonconference schedule should allow for another fast start for Cignetti and crew, and a conference home opener against Illinois provides a chance to reach 4-0.

But after playing eight home games in 2024, the Hoosiers will go on the road five times in the Big Ten next year.

The slate includes three especially challenging road trips — at Iowa, at Oregon, and at Penn State — with the former two coming back-to-back early in the season.

The Big Ten has built-in two bye weeks again next season, with IU’s off weeks coming ahead of the trip to Oregon and the Old Oaken Bucket game vs. Purdue.

2024 In Review

With the hiring of Curt Cignetti the 2024 Indiana football program has reach heights of which have never been experienced. 

During the bye week prior to the Ohio State game Indiana agreed to a contract extension with Curt Cignetti amid the Hoosiers' unprecedented 10-0 start.

Cignetti's new eight-year contract runs through the 2032 season and will pay him an average of $8 million per year with an annual $1 million retention bonus, putting the total value of the new contract at $72 million.

"I am beyond appreciative for the tremendous commitment, confidence, and support from President Pam Whitten and Athletic Director Scott Dolson," Cignetti said in a statement. 

Highlights and milestone moments in 2024 include:

Indiana's 77 - 3 victory over Western Illinois in Week 2 was the most lopsided in            school history and its 56-7 win over Nebraska six weeks later matched the school             record for margin of victory in league play until the 66-0 win over Purdue.

The Hoosiers 42-13 win over UCLA was their first ever at the Rose Bowl.

Indiana became the first bowl eligible team in the nation with a 41-24 victory at Northwestern.

They scored at least 40 points, eight times, won ten times by 14 or more points and have trailed only briefly all season.

They claim possession of both the Old Brass Spittoon and The Old Oaken Bucket with wins over rivals Michigan State and Purdue. 

The No. 5 rank in the polls In Week #13 is the highest placement in program history, 

The 66-0 victory over Purdue were the most points scored in the Battle for the Old Oaken Bucket and the first shutout since 1945 when Indiana won the Big Ten title.

Indiana's Offense Ledd the FBS in

Touchdowns scored (68) and

Passing Efficiency (179.08)

Cignetti was voted as the Big Ten and National coach of the year 

A total of eleven players were named to Big Ten honors.

A total of 21 high school freshmen were signed as part of the '24/'25 recruiting class on the first day of national signing day. 

Participating in the College Football Playoff would be a first in school history.  Ranked 8th and seeded 10th the Hoosiers traveled to South Bend to face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on December 20th.  

The Hoosiers finished with the most wins in program history.

    

IU @ Notre Dame

 

The first-round game between Indiana and Notre Dame was the first time the two in-state schools played each other since 1991.

Quarterback Riley Leonard overcame an early interception to lead the Fighting Irish's offense. Leonard complied 231 total yards and two touchdowns against Indiana. The Notre Dame defense held the Hoosiers to 63 rushing yards.

Notre Dame improved to 12-1 with the victory, matching the program's single-season wins record (1988, 1989, 2012, 2018). Indiana finishes its season 11-2, the best mark the program has ever posted.

The game began with turnovers by each team, but star Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love opened the scoring with a 98-yard rushing touchdown. From that moment on, the Fighting Irish controlled the game, as Indiana couldn't reach the end zone in the first 58 minutes of play.

Notre Dame's running game was the star on offense as Love, Jadarian Price, Riley Leonard and Aneyas Williams combined for 34 attempts, 194 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns against one of the best rushing defenses in the country. Leonard also pitched in 201 passing yards and a passing touchdown to round out the offense.

After taking a 14-point lead into halftime, Notre Dame extended that lead to as big as 24 points in the fourth quarter.

As for Indiana, the Hoosiers, Indiana's high-scoring offense struggled for most of the night, as Notre Dame held them to just a field goal until late in the game. Indiana did score two touchdowns late in the fourth quarter, but the Fighting Irish lead was too big for those scores to matter.

Still, Indiana's season ends with a program-best 11-2 recording Curt Cignetti's first year with the team. The Hoosiers represented the biggest surprise of the season, en route to their first College Football Playoff appearance.

Kurtis Rourke scored his first touchdown, completing a 7-yard pass to Myles Price, who got into the end zone with a good effort. Rourke then completed a pass to Elijah Sarratt for the two-point conversation.  

With 1:27 left in the fourth quarter. Indiana recovered the onside kick. Indiana continued its last-minute push with a second Kurtis Rourke touchdown pass. Rourke found Omar Cooper Jr. for a 23-yard score. It was an eight-play, 50-yard drive in 59 seconds. The two-point conversation and onside kick attempt were both unsuccessful. Notre Dame took a knee to run out the final 24 seconds.

Final score: 27-17 Notre Dame. 

Sources:
The Helmet Project found here:
http://nationalchamps.net/Helmet_Project/index.htm  
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1145292-power-ranking-all-124-college-football-stadiums
Game summary © ESPN and The Sporting News

College Football Playoffs

For the first time ever, Indiana is headed to the College Football Playoff. IU ranked #8 seeded number 10 will play at #7 Notre Dame in the first round on Friday December 20 at 8 pm at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend IN. The game will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN.

The winner of the first-round game will advance to face #2 Georgia. That game would be played on January 1 at 8:45 pm on ESPN in the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA

Image copyright The Sporting News and Indiana University Athletics 

  

Iu v Purdue

The Hoosiers dominated the Boilers in a 66-0 victory the most points Indiana would post against Purdue in the Old Oaken Bucket Series. It would be the first Indiana shutout since 1945. 

IU would score and score often in a lopsided victory. 

This would be the Indiana school record for margin of victory in B1G Ten league play.

Indiana gained 582 yards to the Boiler's 67 with Kurtis Rourke throwing for 349 yards and six touchdowns connecting on 23 of 31 throws.

Indiana will have to wait to see where they will place and whom they will play in the College Football Playoff which will be announced later in December. 

The 11 victories for the Hoosiers in 2024 are the most in program history. 

Sources:
The Helmet Project found here:
http://nationalchamps.net/Helmet_Project/index.htm
Photo © The B1G Network
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1145292-power-ranking-all-124-college-football-stadiums