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.
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