@ Iowa

 

— Fernando Mendoza threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt with 1:28 to play to give No. 11 Indiana a 20-15 win over Iowa.

Indiana came into the game ranked second nationally in total offense and scoring offense, was held to 337 yards and its lowest scoring output of the season. But the Hoosiers got two touchdown passes from Mendoza, who threw for 233 yards, and two field goals from Nico Radicic.

Indiana took an early 7-0 lead. An interception by Amare Ferrell on the third offensive play of the game gave the Hoosiers the ball at Iowa's 24-yard line, and they quickly converted with Mendoza's 14-yard touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr.

After Indiana stopped Iowa on its final possession, Mendoza ran off the last seconds of the game by sprinting into the end zone, where he was tackled for a safety.

:

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

Game summary © ESPN 

Illinois

 

The Illini would enter the game in the UP-Coach’s poll ranked #9 while the Hoosiers entered at #19.

Fernando Mendoza threw five touchdown passes and D'Angelo Ponds scooped up the punt he blocked and returned it 11 yards for a score, leading  Indiana past Illinois 63-10 for its first win over a top 10 foe in five years — and easily the most lopsided.

Indiana's previous best was a 31-10 victory at then No. 9 Ohio State in 1987. It marked the first time since 1950 the Hoosiers and Fighting Illini squared off with each ranked. 

The Fighting Illini offense struggled as quarterback Luke Altmeyer was under pressure all night. Illinois allowed five sacks and rushed for only 3 yards in the first half, falling into an insurmountable 35-10 deficit. Indiana sealed the win with TD drives on each of its first two second-half possessions.

It was the worst loss of coach Bret Bielema's tenure at Illinois and the worst for the Illini since a 63-0 rout at home against Iowa in 2018.

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

Game summary © ESPN 

IU v Indiana State

The Hoosiers would host the Sycamores for a rare Friday night lights game scheduled for a 6:30 pm kickoff scoring their largest shutout win since 1901 defeating the Sycamores 73-0

For the first half, Indiana scored touchdowns on six of seven actual possessions, while getting a field goal on the other. It was pure domination in every sense of the word, just as most expected it to be. 

Fernando Mendoza saw 19 of his 20 pass attempts caught by teammates, five of which went for touchdowns. Younger brother Alberto Mendoza was also able to get a good amount of playing time, completing 6 of 9 pass attempts for another 105 yards and two Hoosiers touchdowns.

Indian led the stat sheet with 33-5 first downs while Omar Cooper Jr. led the way with 10 Receptions, 207 Yards, and 4 Touchdowns. 

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

espn game recap

Kennesaw State

 

The Hoosiers second home stand would be played at “The Rock” now named Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium scheduled for a noon kickoff. 

— Fernando Mendoza threw for four touchdowns to lead No. 23 Indiana to a 56-9 rout of Kennesaw State. The Hoosiers, who saw their ranking drop three spots to No. 23 following a closer-than-expected 27-14 victory over Old Dominion, should maintain their ranking with a convincing victory. Indiana didn’t commit a turnover and was penalized just three times. Indiana held a 593-271 edge in total yards.

Following a fumble recovery, Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. scored on a 75-yard run on an end-around on the next play. Cooper had a key 40-yard catch on the Hoosiers’ first TD drive.

Fernando Mendoza, a redshirt junior, was relieved by his younger brother, Alberto Mendoza, during a fourth quarter drive. Alberto, a redshirt freshman, tossed his first career TD pass, a 6-yarder to Charlie Becker. Alberto completed all three of his passes for 35 yards.

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

Game summary © ESPN 

Old Dominion

Fernando Mendoza scored on a 5-yard run in his debut as Indiana's quarterback, Jonathan Brady returned a punt 91 yards for a score, and the 20th-ranked Hoosiers wore down Old Dominion in a season-opening 27-14 victory.

Mendoza, the starter at California last season, finished 18 of 31 for 193 yards and ran six times for 34 yards. His TD run late in the first half gave the Hoosiers a 17-7 lead.

Indiana's 309-yard rushing attack was led by Maryland transfer Roman Hemby, who had 23 carries for 110 yards. Kaelon Black added 92 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.

Indiana won its ninth straight home game to improve to 9-0 at Memorial Stadium under second-year coach Curt Cignetti — but not without some stress.

Safety Louis Moore had an interception and a team-leading seven tackles in his first game with Indiana. But the Mississippi transfer's future with the program remains unclear. Moore is eligible for the first two games after a Texas judge granted him a two-week extension on a temporary restraining order in an eligibility case involving the NCAA. The next hearing is expected Sept. 10. The NCAA claims Moore is ineligible because he spent 2019-21 playing in junior college and the last two years at Mississippi.

The game marked the debut of Hoosier the Bison. School officials announced this summer they were bringing back the mascot that last appeared in 1969.

Earlier that day former IU coach Lee Corso made his last appearance on ESPN’s game day. From his debut in 1987 until his final episode a total of 38 years.  True to form all of Corso’s college teams he played on or coached won on Saturday. That includes Florida State, Maryland, Navy, Louisville, Indiana and Northern Illinois.  It was meant to. 

Sources:

The Helmet Project found here:

http://nationalchamps.net/Helmet_Project/index.htm

Photo © The B1G Network, The Indy Star 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1145292-power-ranking-all-124-college-football-stadiums

Game summary © ESPN 

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.