IU @ Purdue

Kaelon Black had two touchdown runs and Fernando Mendoza and Roman Hemby each ran for scores as No. 2 Indiana beat rival Purdue 56-3 on Friday night, completing the first perfect regular season in school history and securing a Big Ten championship game berth.

The Hoosiers (12-0, 9-0, No. 2 CFP) also likely locked up a second straight College Football Playoff berth.

 Curt Cignetti became the first Hoosiers coach since Bo McMillin in 1934-35 to win his first two matchups against Purdue.

Purdue (2-10, 0-9) endured more misery in the coldest game ever played at Ross-Ade Stadium, with a kickoff temperature of 24 degrees Fahrenheit. The Boilermakers closed coach Barry Odom's first season with a 10th straight loss and posted their second straight winless season in conference play, the first since 1919-20.

Many wondered if the Hoosiers would be one-hit wonders after last year's historic season. But Cignetti promised there would be no decline in 2025 — and there wasn't. With the nation's second-best scoring offense and scoring defense, a Heisman Trophy front-runner and a perfect record, the Hoosiers are better positioned to make a playoff run than they were last year.

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 

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

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

2024 Bucket Game

The 2024 Bucket Game
The #126 meeting
Indiana and Purdue
For the battle of the Old Oaken Bucket 
For the #99 time!
Bring It!

IU @ Ohio State

Indiana drew first blood to go up 7-0 after which Ohio State reeled off 31 straight points to win by a final score of 38-15. Indiana held the advantage for first downs 16-14 and a slight advantage of time of possession 30:30-29:30 but in the end, it was a total dominance by the Buckeyes. 

The Buckeyes took the lead on two special-teams' mishaps by the Hoosiers. On a 4th and 15 at IU 30 with 1:41 left in the first half James Evans was forced to run for a loss of 23 yards after the ball sailed over his head in put formation. This led to a TreVeyon Henderson 4-yard touchdown followed by a Caleb Downs 79-yard Punt Return early in the third quarter. 

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

IU v Michigan

The Wolverines (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) had their lowest scoring total in the 70-game series since Indiana’s 14-10 victory in 1987, generated one TD in three red-zone trips and came up a yard short on fourth-and-10 with 95 seconds to play.

“The story of the game is not scoring in the red zone. You can’t get down there and have it first-and-6, first-and-7 and not score,” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said.

Kurtis Rourke was 17 of 28 with 206 yards as the Hoosiers (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten, No. 8 CFP), college football’s losingest program, beat college football’s winningest program, Michigan.

Michigan had a chance to tie the score after Kalel Mullings converted a fourth-and-goal into a 1-yard scoring plunge with 9:35 left, but Warren's 2-point conversion trickled through a defender's hands and out of the end zone. 

Indiana used a 22-yard punt return to set up its final score, a 42-yard field goal, before stopping Michigan on downs.

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 

IU @ Michigan State

Indiana traveled to Michigan State looking to go 9-0 and set a new record for the best start in program history.

After posting an 87-0 first quarter advantage and never trailing in a game the Spartans drew first blood scoring on their first two drives to go ahead 10-0. The Hoosiers responded by posting forty-seven consecutive points to reclaim the Old Brass Spittoon.

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

IU v Maryland

Kurtis Rourke threw three touchdowns to help Indiana secure its best start in almost six decades with a 42-28 win over Big Ten rival Maryland on a rainy afternoon in Bloomington. 

Six different players scored touchdowns for the Hoosiers, who are now 5-0 for the first time since 1967. The Hoosiers moved to 2-0 in conference play.

Elijah Sarratt, Omar cooper Jr, and Donaven Mcculley each caught a score from Rourke, who finished 22 of 33 for 359 yards and two interceptions. Justice Ellison, Myles Price and Ty Son Lawton each added a rushing touchdown. 

The Hoosiers outgained the Terrapins 510-401 and overcame four turnovers.

In five games this season the Hoosiers have scored and never trailed. 

  Sources:

The Helmet Project found here:

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

Photo © The B1G Network

Field Level Media

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

IU v Charlotte

The Hoosiers extended their record to 4-0 beating the Charolotte 49ers by a score of 52-14.

Thus far in the season it is the most scored points in the first four games in program history. and today five different running backs scored for a total of six running touchdowns.

Only four times has IU begun the season 4-0: 1987, 1990, 2015, and 2020.

The Hoosiers continue league play next Saturday when they host Maryland at Memorial Stadium. 

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

IU v Western Illinois

The Hoosiers set a program single-game scoring record posting 77 points breaking the previous mark of 76 points set in a shoutout of Franklin College in 1901, on Charlie  Becker's 3-yard TD run and ensuring extra point with 9:10 to go. Coach Curt Cignetti also became the fourth Indiana coach since 1948 to win his first two games at Indiana. 

Western Illinois extended the longest losing streak in Division 1 football to 26 straight. The Leathernecks' last win came on October 30, 2021.

Indiana scored TDs on each of its first six possessions, produced 415 yards on 38 plays in the first half and led 42-3 at halftime. The Hoosiers finished with 701 total yards.  

It wasn't just Western Illinois lacking power. During warmups at halftime, both of the stadium's scoreboards faded to black. After  a short delay, the refs announced they would keep the official tome on the field. A few minutes later, the scoreboards rebooted, showing about 10 minutes left in the third quarter. 

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

IU v Florida International

Florida International 

The Hoosiers move to 1-0 in Curt Cignetti’s first year at the helm.

The play-calling on both sides of the ball was fun to watch. Indiana’s offense has a lot to clean up but there were a lot of opportunities created by Mike Shanahan. That offers promise for the remainder of this season if that execution can get cleaned up.

The running backs (Green, Ellison and Lawton) all looked really good and the run blocking was impressive. Florida International did not have an answer.

The defense created a lot of pressure and rotated a lot of bodies in the second half. There was one extended drive allowed but this was a very strong outing by IU’s defense and the front seven overwhelmed FIU’s offensive line.

The negative of the afternoon would undoubtedly be the missed opportunities on offense. The Hoosiers had multiple chances to create big passing plays and were just a bit off on the execution. 

Overall, this was a very competent performance from the Hoosiers and a very satisfying way to begin the campaign.

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

IU @ Purdue

The Boilermakers won the Old Oaken Bucket 35-31 for the third straight season.  Hudson Card threw for 275 yards and rushed for 85, including a 10-yard touchdown with 2:39 left to bring home the Old Oaken Bucket. 

IU was 1-11 on third down. Despite major positives on offense, they were unable to sustain drives consistently. 

The Hoosiers had three turnovers plus a turnover on downs, making them minus-four in the turnover margin department.

Indiana had 13 tackles for loss but also exhibited awful tTJ Inmanackling on several occasions. 

This game was a perfect summation of the season and of the past few seasons under Tom Allen. IU found a way to lose.

Aaron Casey was a warrior all season and deserved more than a 3-9 record. He had 11 tackles including four TFLs. 

Purdue outgained IU 453 to 369 but the Hoosiers were slightly better in yards per play (5.7 to 5.6).

The IU defense did a great job against Purdue’s running backs but allowed Hudson Card to run for 85 yards plus the game-winning touchdown.

The season ends at 3-9 with a 1-8 Big Ten record and the Hoosiers are again in the absolute basement in the conference. Where does the Indiana administration go from here and has Tom Allen coached his last game in Bloomington? Hoosier Huddle will have continuing coverage as IU turns to the offseason.

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

TJ Inman Hoosierhuddle.com

2023 Bucket Game

The 2023 Bucket Game
The #125 meeting
Indiana v Purdue 
The battle for the Old Oaken Bucket for the #98 time
Bring it!

IU v Michigan State

Katin Houser hooked up with Maliq Carr on a 36-yard touchdown pass with 1:19 left Saturday to rally Michigan State for a 24-21 victory.

The Spartans  reclaimed the Old Brass Spittoon by winning their first road game of the season and their second under interim coach Harlon Barnett. It took an eight-play, 75-yard drive and Carr's tackle-breaking catch-and-run to win it.

Indiana  had a chance to force overtime but Brendan Sorsby drew an intentional grounding call when he had a miscommunication with his receiver. The penalty moved the ball back 6 yards and Chris Freeman missed a 49-yard kick that would have tied it with 2 seconds to play.

The Hoosiers have at least been competitive each of the past four weeks, but they've come away with three losses. And this one really hurts because the Hoosiers blew chances to win it and force overtime in the final five minutes.

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

IU @ Illinois

 

John Paddock a Ball State transfer, making his first start with Illinois, tore apart the IU defense. Indiana got no pressure on Paddock and the secondary looked completely lost  and unable to track the Illini receivers. 

Paddock threw for 507 yards, the most for any Big Ten quarterback this season.

Illinois gained 662 yards to IU’s 451. 

The two teams combined for 21 penalties with Illinois accounting for 14 of them.  

Donaven McCulley was terrific. He had 11 catches for 137 yards and two touchdowns. His transition from quarterback to wide receiver has been a booming success and he is unquestionably IU’s top wideout.

With the season on the line and facing a backup quarterback, IU’s secondary failed to show up. 

Receivers were wide open all afternoon and Indiana had no answers or adjustments that made any difference.

Brendan Sorsby continues to show that he can be a quarterback IU can win with. Sorsby was 22-33 for 289 yards along with two rushing touchdowns.

Final Score: Illinois 48-45 in Overtime

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

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