Tag: indiana

No. 2 Indiana braces for Badgers after close call at Penn State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indiana realized that remaining at No. 2 in the College Football Playoff ranking was likely after rallying to win at Penn State last week while Ohio State rolled to keep wraps on the No. 1 spot.

That hasn’t kept the Hoosiers from aspiring to keep climbing in other areas as they prepare for Saturday’s home finale against Wisconsin.

“The team has always, like I said, been about pushing one another,” Hoosiers linebacker Rolijah Hardy said. “I could definitely feel it. We try not to let it get into our heads too much, because of course we’ve got to go ahead and finish the year, which is the target to the national championship. But we definitely feel that, and we appreciate it.”

Indiana (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten) solidified its hold on a first-round CFP bye with a 27-24 win at Penn State, highlighted by Omar Cooper Jr.’s acrobatic touchdown catch in the back of the end zone on a pass from Fernando Mendoza.

The Hoosiers, who appear on a collision course with Ohio State in the Big Ten title game, have won just two games by single digits this season.

To Indiana coach Curt Cignetti, that goes with the territory of being a power for the second straight season.

“We’re not sneaking up on anyone anymore,” Cignetti said. “We got Iowa’s best shot at Iowa. We got Penn State’s best shot at Penn State. Oregon was obviously a big game on the road, and we’ll get Wisconsin’s best shot. So, we’ve got to have a good week of preparation.”

Wisconsin (3-6, 1-5) stopped a 10-game conference losing streak dating to last season with last week’s narrow home victory against then-No. 23 Washington.

Freshmen linebackers Cooper Catalano and Mason Posa were on the spot for the Badgers, continuing a recent trend. Catalano (27) and Posa (24) have collected the most total tackles for the team over the past two games since entering the starting lineup.

Badgers coach Luke Fickell especially lauded Posa’s “competitive spirit” and its impact on a 13-10 win against Washington, including a forced and recovered fumble that put Wisconsin in position for its lone touchdown.

“There’s guys that work hard and those guys, when the ball goes down, just have this competitive nature to them that continue to rise to what they do,” Fickell said. “And I think that’s just where he is. … He’s just a guy that has a lot of confidence in what he does.”

Wisconsin also may rely on a freshman to lead a fledgling attack. Punter Sean West finished as the Badgers’ leading passer against Washington, as freshman Carter Smith went 3-for-12 for eight yards in relief of injured starting quarterback Danny O’Neil.

Smith or Hunter Simmons appears likely to get the start under center.

“Either way, we know we got to be able to throw the ball down the field,” Fickell said. “We know we’ve got to be able to do the things that whether Carter or Hunter can do, but the things that we need to do to make sure that we’re not just completely one-dimensional. So we got a lot of work to do.”

Indiana has won two straight in the series on the heels of Wisconsin’s 10-game winning streak from 2005-17.

–Field Level Media

No. 2 Indiana looks to validate CFP rank at reeling Penn State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

One team in Saturday’s matchup between Indiana and Penn State is ranked No. 2 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings, but it isn’t the team most experts would have predicted two months ago.

The undefeated Hoosiers find themselves behind only Ohio State in the initial CFP rankings and will look to back that positioning up when they visit the reeling Nittany Lions in University Park, Pa.

Indiana (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) has cruised through its schedule to this point, highlighted by double-digit wins against Illinois (63-10) and Oregon (30-20), both of which were ranked in the top 10 at the time.

Most recently, the Hoosiers crushed Maryland 55-10 largely due to 367 rushing yards. Kaelon Black rushed for 110 yards and scored a touchdown, while Fernando Mendoza added a rushing touchdown and threw for 201 yards and another TD.

At this point, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti is largely trying to guard against overconfidence.

“Obviously, we’ve turned that page,” Cignetti said in reference to his team focusing on Penn State. “Everything in this game is earned, not given, and you’ve got to earn it every single day. The game gives you nothing. You get out what you put in. We’ve got to really be sharp this week and have a great mindset.”

Penn State (3-5, 0-5) is looking to reset as well, although overconfidence is not a problem for interim coach Terry Smith. His team has dropped five straight games — with the program firing coach James Franklin in the midst of that stretch — as the Nittany Lions’ No. 2 preseason ranking continues to feel like a distant memory.

Still, Cignetti was complimentary of Smith and his program this week.

“Terry has done a really good job of sort of rejuvenating these guys, and it’ll be his first opportunity to play a game at home,” Cignetti said. “Tough place to play — 100,000-plus people. They’re a really good football team.”

Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt have combined for 91 catches for 1,278 yards and 18 touchdowns for the Hoosiers, who average a national-best 46.4 points per game. That could spell bad news for a Nittany Lions defense that gave up 316 passing yards — and 480 total yards — against Ohio State.

“Yeah, we’ve definitely got to get it fixed this week,” Smith said of his passing defense. “Those two receivers they have in Indiana have more touchdowns than the Ohio State guys, so it doesn’t get any easier.”

Penn State’s other issues at the moment include a passing offense that only produced 145 yards last week with Ethan Grunkemeyer under center. The redshirt freshman has three interceptions and no touchdowns since taking over for Drew Allar (ankle), who is out for the season.

“Ethan continues to grow,” Smith said. “I think he’s getting better. I thought he was better in game two than game one.”

Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen is aiming to bounce back after averaging just 3.6 yards per carry against the Buckeyes, a season low. He did score a touchdown in that game and has found the end zone in all eight games this season.

–Field Level Media

Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M lead first CFP rankings of season

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Ohio State claimed the No. 1 spot in the initial rankings released by the College Football Playoff committee on Tuesday night, with Big Ten rival Indiana right behind at No. 2.

The defending national champion Buckeyes won’t face the Hoosiers until a potential collision in the Big Ten championship game. Neither has stumbled this season and they are widely considered the two best teams in college football.

Texas A&M, undefeated like Ohio State and Indiana, came in No. 3 in the first rankings reveal of the season. Then the committee rewarded a trio of one-loss SEC teams, with Alabama, Georgia and Ole Miss slotting in No. 5-7.

Rounding out the top 10 were unbeaten Big 12 leader BYU, followed by Texas Tech, Oregon and two-loss Notre Dame. Oregon was seventh in the AP Top 25 poll this week, ahead of BYU and Texas Tech, but the Ducks were apparently dinged for having no quality win on their resume (a 30-24 victory at Penn State lost its luster when the Nittany Lions lost the next four games).

No teams from outside the Power 4 conferences made the initial rankings. Memphis, though it fell outside the committee’s top 25, was penciled in as the No. 12 playoff seed as the fifth highest-rated conference champion.

Memphis was No. 22 in the AP poll this week, and the Tigers are battling Navy, North Texas and Tulane for the American Conference championship and an auto-bid into the field.

Upstart Virginia also benefits from being projected as one of five conference champs. The Cavaliers are No. 14 in the initial rankings but the highest among ACC teams, thus earning the No. 11 seed in the mock bracket.

Unlike last year, the top four teams in the rankings get the top four seeds regardless of conference, rather than granting the four best conference champs first-round byes. That led to a pair of Big Ten teams and a pair of SEC teams slotted in at Nos. 1-4. Seeds 5-8 get to host first-round games at campus sites.

The final CFP rankings will be released on Sunday, Dec. 7, after all conference championship games have taken place.

CFP initial bracket
First-round games:
–No. 12 Memphis at No. 5 Georgia
–No. 11 Virginia at No. 6 Ole Miss
–No. 10 Notre Dame at No. 7 BYU
–No. 9 Oregon at No. 8 Texas Tech
First-round byes: No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Indiana, No. 3 Texas A&M, No. 4 Alabama

CFP initial Top 25
1. Ohio State (8-0)
2. Indiana (9-0)
3. Texas A&M (8-0)
4. Alabama (7-1)
5. Georgia (7-1)
6. Ole Miss (8-1)
7. BYU (8-0)
8. Texas Tech (8-1)
9. Oregon (7-1)
10. Notre Dame (6-2)
11. Texas (7-2)
12. Oklahoma (7-2)
13. Utah (7-2)
14. Virginia (8-1)
15. Louisville (7-1)
16. Vanderbilt (7-2)
17. Georgia Tech (8-1)
18. Miami (6-2)
19. Southern California (6-2)
20. Iowa (6-2)
21. Michigan (7-2)
22. Missouri (6-2)
23. Washington (6-2)
24. Pitt (7-2)
25. Tennessee (6-3)

–Field Level Media

Nov 1, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; Virginia Cavaliers linebacker Kam Robinson (5) runs back a California Golden Bears quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele pass for a touchdown during the fourth quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Watch for Virginia, Indiana, BYU when first CFP bracket unveiled

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After 11 weeks of play, we finally get the first set of College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday night.

When the first 12-team bracket is unveiled, it will include a number of teams who were expected to be firmly in the mix (hello, Ohio State, Georgia and Alabama) while other preseason favorites will be missing in action (goodbye, Penn State, Clemson and LSU).

Also in the CFP conversation will be a few teams that few projected to be there.

Here are three of those overachieving teams that should be in the first College Football Playoff bracket:

VIRGINIA

Losses by Georgia Tech and Miami on Saturday blew the race for the Atlantic Coast Conference championship wide open.

It’s no guarantee Virginia will be the highest-ranked ACC team in the initial CFP rankings, but the Cavaliers are the highest-ranked ACC team in the AP poll at No. 12. That’s two spots ahead of Louisville.

But considering Virginia is the lone unbeaten team in ACC play — the 35-31 Week 2 loss at North Carolina State counts as a nonconference clash — it should probably be the Cavaliers’ spot until (if) they lose a conference game.

Virginia is far and away the most surprising storyline in college football so far this season. The Cavaliers won 11 games in head coach Tony Elliott’s first three seasons. They haven’t made a bowl game since 2019, haven’t ranked among the AP’s top 12 since 2004 and haven’t started a season 8-1 since 1990.

And yet, here they sit at 8-1 (5-0 ACC).

There’s certainly been a bit of luck in Virginia’s last five games, which has included three overtime wins as well as needing a late safety to beat Washington State.

At what point does luck convert to a team simply being clutch? Virginia is very much testing that theory.

INDIANA

Maybe Indiana and coach Curt Cignetti should have been given a bit more benefit of the doubt entering Year 2.

After all, the Hoosiers came out of the parking lot beyond left field last season when they charged out to a 10-0 start after having zero 10-win seasons in the program’s forlorn past as the losingest team in college football history.

That Indiana team, while a remarkably impressive transformation by Cignetti, was not ready for prime time. In two games against big-boy programs (at Ohio State and at Notre Dame in the CFP), the Hoosiers lost both by a combined margin of 65-32.

That probably justified Indiana’s No. 20 preseason ranking to begin this season.

This fall, the second-ranked Hoosiers have shown 2024 was no fluke, jumping out to a 9-0 start after Saturday’s 55-10 win at Maryland. They’re No. 1 in scoring offense (46.4 points per game) and No. 3 in scoring defense (10.8), which leads to the nation’s best points differential (35.7 ppg).

Even more important, they’ve already done what they couldn’t a year ago — delivering a signature win when they went to then-No. 3 Oregon in Week 7 and became the first team to win there since 2022 with a 30-20 conquest.

With only Penn State, Wisconsin and Purdue left — a combined 0-16 in Big Ten play — not finishing the regular season undefeated would be a massive disappointment. A showdown with No. 1 Ohio State looms in the Big Ten championship game, but Indiana will be in the CFP regardless of that result if it’s 12-0.

BYU

For the second straight season, BYU will be firmly in the playoff mix when Tuesday’s initial rankings are released.

Last year’s team started 9-0 before fading with consecutive losses to fall out of the playoff picture. This year’s team was the first squad outside of the preseason AP Top 25 poll back in August.

Now the Cougars are in a remarkably similar place. When last year’s first CFP bracket dropped, BYU was 8-0, ranked ninth by the AP poll and alone atop the Big 12 standings. This time, the Cougars are 8-0, ranked eighth and alone atop the conference standings.

The Cougars are doing this with a true freshman quarterback in Bear Bachmeier (1,693 yards, 11 passing TDs, team-high nine rushing TDs), who arrived over the summer after initially enrolling at Stanford.

BYU ranks outside the top 25 in total offense and total defense, but it keeps finding ways to win.

The path home for the Cougars will be quite challenging. Two of their final four games are against the teams with one Big 12 loss: Texas Tech and Cincinnati.

But after exceeding expectations for the second straight year, can BYU navigate its way to its first playoff berth?

–Curt Weiler, Field Level Media

Nov 1, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Khobie Martin (28) rushes during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

No. 2 Indiana routs Maryland with its running game

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Fernando Mendoza threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score as No. 2 Indiana overwhelmed Maryland during a 55-10 Big Ten victory on Saturday in College Park, Md.

The Heisman Trophy candidate completed 14 of 21 passes for 201 yards and one interception as Indiana (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) continued its remarkable turnaround under second-year coach Curt Cignetti.

Cignetti has guided the Hoosiers to a perfect start through nine games in both seasons since arriving from James Madison.

Kaelon Black (14 carries, 110 yards), former Maryland starter Roman Hemby (18 carries, 88 yards) and Khobie Martin (11 carries, 80 yards) each scored on a touchdown run for Indiana.

The Hoosiers’ rushing attack rolled up 367 yards as Indiana controlled the ball for 39:35. Indiana’s dominance was such that Mendoza turned the quarterback duties over to his younger brother, Alberto Mendoza, after completing a pass on the first play of the fourth quarter.

It was the fourth straight loss for Maryland (4-4, 1-4), which entered with the best turnover margin in the nation (+1.57 per game). The Terrapins threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles that the Hoosiers turned into 24 points.

Louis Moore and Kaiden Turner made the interceptions for Indiana. Devan Boykin added a strip/scoop/score in the fourth quarter that covered 32 yards.

The play came in the middle of a third-quarter spree when Indiana scored three touchdowns in a span of 2:06 to turn a 20-10 lead into a 41-10 blowout.

Indiana did it most of the way without Elijah Sarratt, who leads the Big Ten in touchdown receptions with 10. Sarratt suffered a hamstring injury in the opening minutes and didn’t return.

It was the first game of his career without a catch, ending his FBS-high 46-game streak with at least one reception.

The Hoosiers turned to Omar Cooper Jr., who caught seven passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. His 22-yard reception, his eighth score of the year, put Indiana up 17-3 with 4:53 left in the first half.

The Hoosiers overcame a slow start as Fernando Mendoza suffered just his fourth interception on the game’s third snap. Jamare Glasker’s 32-yard return set up a 24-yard field goal by Sean O’Haire that gave Maryland a 3-0 lead.

On Indiana’s next possession, Sidney Stewart and Eyan Thomas combined for a sack of Fernando Mendoza to help force a three-and-out.

But from there, it was all Indiana as the Hoosiers cashed in with seven touchdowns and two field goals on their next nine possessions.

In the fourth quarter, Alberto Mendoza threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Brady and added a 53-yard run to set up another score.

Malik Washington completed 16 of 31 passes for 242 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions for Maryland. He also was stripped of the ball that Boykin returned for a score to make it 34-10 at 8:41 of the third. The Terps finished with just 37 rushing yards on 17 attempts.

–Field Level Media

Indiana's E.J. Williams (7) celebrates a touchdown during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.

No. 2 Indiana begins run of Big Ten bottom-dwellers at Maryland

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No. 2 Indiana and Maryland welcomed new quarterbacks this season who have been game-changers for their respective offenses.

While it has translated to team success for the Hoosiers and Heisman Trophy candidate Fernando Mendoza, the Terrapins have failed to improve despite flashes of brilliance from true freshman Malik Washington.

Mendoza and Indiana (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) hope to ride their momentum and extend the three-game losing streak of Maryland (4-3, 1-3) when the teams meet Saturday in College Park, Md.

After moving up a notch to their highest ranking in program history, the high-flying Hoosiers are looking at a November schedule which includes teams that have a combined conference record of 1-17.

In a press conference on Monday, Indiana’s Curt Cignetti sounded like a coach concerned about his players becoming overconfident as he heaped praise on Maryland.

“They fly around on defense. They create turnovers. They sack the quarterback,” Cignetti said. “And offensively they’re protecting the quarterback, protecting the ball, making explosive plays and have a good kicking game.”

Cignetti also pointed out that Maryland has been victimized by misfortune. In each of their losses, the Terrapins held the lead with four minutes left.

“They’re outscoring people the first three quarters, 175-50,” Cignetti said, without mentioning that Maryland also has been out-scored 44-7 in the fourth quarter during its three-game skid.

In its most recent defeat, 20-17 at UCLA on Oct. 18, Maryland surrendered a touchdown and two field goals in the final 3:33.

In his Tuesday press conference, Maryland coach Mike Locksley pointed out that the Terrapins’ lack of depth has proven costly late in games, especially when injuries have mounted.

“What I have to do as a head coach is find a way to make sure those guys are available to finish games,” Locksley said.

Last week, while Maryland had a bye, Indiana dominated UCLA 56-6 as Mendoza threw three touchdown passes and former Maryland starter Roman Hemby ran for two scores.

Hemby (513 rushing yards) teams with Kaelon Black (509 rushing yards) in a potent Indiana backfield.

“Both those two backs are a little different,” Locksley said. “Roman, as we know, is a home-run hitter.”

The Hoosiers average 264 yards per game passing and 230.5 yards per game on the ground in a balanced offense that has long been a signature of Cignetti’s teams.

Mendoza’s efficiency is illustrated by his passer rating (188.5), which is second in the nation. Mendoza also is completing 72.9% of his passes and leads the nation with 24 touchdown passes while throwing only three interceptions.

For Maryland, Washington is one of three Power Four true freshmen who has thrown for at least 200 yards in each of his first seven games in a season this century.

His goal for now is to remedy the Terrapins’ lack of efficiency in the red zone. Maryland has scored touchdowns on 42.3% of its trips inside the 20-yard line, which is the lowest mark in the Big Ten.

“You come away with, not just points, but touchdowns, that kind of changes the game,” Washington said. ” … Those are the body blows that we need to be able to put opponents away.”

– Field Level Media

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza (15) runs during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.

No. 2 Indiana blows out UCLA as Fernando Mendoza records 4 TDs

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Fernando Mendoza threw for three touchdowns Saturday and ran for a fourth, as No. 2 Indiana walloped visiting UCLA 56-6 in Bloomington.

Mendoza shrugged off a slow start to complete 15 of 22 passes for 168 yards, along with an early interception, as the Hoosiers improved to 8-0 overall and 5-0 in the Big Ten Conference. Roman Hemby added 81 yards and a pair of scores on 17 carries, as Indiana rolled up 475 total yards, converting 12 of 16 third downs.

Nico Iamaleava struggled all game for the Bruins (3-5, 3-2), hitting only 13 of 27 passes for 113 yards and a pair of interceptions. He was under the gun from start to finish, absorbing three sacks as the Hoosiers brought steady pressure.

The demolition started almost as soon as the clock did. Iamaleava was sacked on the game’s first play from scrimmage and intercepted on the second one. Aiden Fisher lugged the pick 25 yards for a touchdown 57 seconds into the game.

Hemby made it 14-0 at the 4:02 mark, bursting for a yard on fourth-and-goal for an easy score as Indiana used an unbalanced line to the right. Mendoza upped the margin to 21-0 on a 1-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt with 12:30 left in the half.

Hemby’s second score, a 13-yard run, came with 8:44 remaining in the half. After UCLA got on the board via a 44-yard field goal from Mateen Bhaghani, Mendoza ran a classic two-minute drill, capping it with a 2-yard touchdown pass to E.J. Williams Jr. 13 seconds before the half for a 35-3 cushion.

Mendoza scrambled 20 yards for a score at the 9:15 mark of the third quarter, then increased the advantage to 49-3 by flinging a 62-yard bomb to Williams with 4:13 left in the period.

Bhaghani added a 30-yard field goal with 23 seconds remaining in the quarter before backup quarterback Alberto Mendoza tacked on a 4-yard touchdown run for the Hoosiers with 11:11 left in the game.

–Field Level Media

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza (15) passes to E.J. Williams Jr. (7) during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.

Indiana, ranked program-high No. 2, wary of improving UCLA

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According to Indiana coach Curt Cignetti, the second-ranked Hoosiers aren’t opposing a 3-4 UCLA team this week in Bloomington, Ind.

“I mean, we’re playing a 3-0 football team this Saturday at noon,” he said.

It’s true that the Bruins (3-4, 3-1 Big Ten) have been a much different team since interim coach Tim Skipper took over last month. A 20-17 home win over Maryland last week was their third straight victory, a streak that started with a stunning victory over then-No. 7 Penn State after Skipper lost his first game in charge.

However, it’s also true that Indiana (7-0, 4-0) is at a different level from the teams UCLA has been beating lately. The Hoosiers keep proving it week after week, climbing to their highest-ever poll ranking after a 38-13 drilling of Michigan State last week.

The usual suspects were at work for Indiana, led by quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The Cal transfer completed 24 of 28 passes for 332 yards and four touchdowns, zeroing in primarily on Omar Cooper Jr., who had eight receptions for 115 yards and a score.

The Hoosiers also did what they usually do — stop the run and play a clean game. They allowed only 74 yards on the ground and were flagged just once for 5 yards. They haven’t been penalized more than 45 yards in any game this year.

“You want them to play fast. You want them to play physical. You want to be relentless,” Cignetti said of his players. “But you got to be smart. You got to make choices and decisions out on the football field, right? You never want an increase in those penalties.”

The only things increasing for Indiana under Cignetti are points and wins. Mendoza is playing at a Heisman Trophy level, completing 73.5% of his passes for 1,755 yards with 21 touchdowns and only two interceptions. The Hoosiers’ average of 43.9 points per game is tied for fourth in the nation.

This matchup would have been seen as a snoozer by most until the Bruins’ sudden surge. Despite that, Indiana is a three-touchdown-plus favorite.

However, the play of Tennessee transfer Nico Iamaleava gives UCLA the proverbial puncher’s chance against anyone. Iamaleava threw for 221 yards, one touchdown two interceptions against Maryland. He led a last-minute drive that culminated in Mateen Bhaghani’s game-winning 23-yard field goal with two seconds left.

Skipper said on Monday he wasn’t sure about Iamaleava’s status after the quarterback emerged postgame with ice on his knee. However, the interim coach is certain about what his team has to do at Indiana, regardless of who can or can’t play.

“We’ve got to play a clean game and win the situations,” he said. “There’s always going to be critical situations come up, and we have to win those.”

Iamaleava is completing 65.2% of his passes for 1,355 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions, and he leads the team in rushing with 360 yards and four scores. Kwazi Gilmer has 30 receptions, one shy of his total from last year as a freshman.

The Hoosiers cruised to a 42-13 win last year in Pasadena, Calif., in the programs’ first-ever meeting.

–Field Level Media

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza (15) passes to E.J. Williams Jr. (7) during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.

Fernando Mendoza throws for 4 TDs as No. 3 Indiana beats Michigan State

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Fernando Mendoza passed for 332 yards and four touchdowns, including two to Elijah Sarratt, as No. 3 Indiana pulled away for a 38-13 Big Ten victory over Michigan State at Bloomington, Ind., on Saturday.

Mendoza completed 24 of 28 attempts. Omar Cooper Jr. caught eight passes for 115 yards and a touchdown, while E.J. Williams had five receptions for 59 yards and a score. Sarratt caught four passes for 70 yards, and Kaelon Black rushed for 64 yards on 10 carries.

The Hoosiers (7-0 overall, 4-0 conference) were coming off a statement win over Oregon.

Aidan Chiles completed 27 of 33 passes for 243 yards and a touchdown for Michigan State (3-4, 0-4), which has lost four straight. Chiles also led the rushing attack with 48 yards on eight carries. Nick Marsh caught seven passes for 64 yards and a touchdown.

The Hoosiers scored two touchdowns in the last seven minutes of the first half to grab a 21-10 halftime lead.

Michigan State got on the board first, as Matt Connington kicked a 38-yard field goal. All of the Spartans’ touchdown drives required at least 75 yards.

Mendoza hooked up with Williams on a 13-yard scoring strike late in the first quarter. The Spartans briefly regained the advantage on Chiles’ 15-yard pass to Marsh with 9:22 left in the half.

Indiana only needed five plays to regain the lead. Mendoza’s 39-yard pass to Riley Nowakowski set up a 24-yard touchdown pass to Sarratt.

During the Hoosiers’ next possession, Mendoza completed a fourth-down pass to Cooper. Black then scored on a 29-yard run up the middle.

Following a weather-delayed second half, the Hoosiers increased their lead to 28-10 less than two minutes into the second half. Mendoza connected with Cooper on a 48-yard scoring play.

The Spartans missed a long field-goal attempt before Indiana’s next score. Sarratt caught his second touchdown pass of the game, this time from 27 yards out.

The teams traded field goals in the closing minutes.

–Field Level Media

Oct 11, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) prepares to throw the ball against the Oregon Ducks during the fourth quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Skidding Michigan State faces daunting challenge at No. 3 Indiana

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Indiana left no doubt over the weekend that it is a legitimate playoff contender. Following that statement victory on the road over then-No. 3 Oregon, the Hoosiers now seemingly get a schedule break.

They will oppose reeling Michigan State on Saturday afternoon in Bloomington, Ind.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza bounced back from a game-tying pick-six early in the fourth quarter at Oregon to throw a go-ahead, 8-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt.

Nico Radicic’s 22-yard field goal sealed the 30-20 win over the Ducks. Indiana (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) vaulted to No. 3 in the rankings this week.

Now, the challenge for the Hoosiers is to not get overconfident.

“Rip off the rearview mirror, so to speak. Total focus on Michigan State,” coach Curt Cignetti said. “I think the key now is our response coming off of this game.”

Mendoza, a transfer in his first season at Indiana, already has surpassed his passing touchdown total from last season at Cal. He threw for 16 scores in 386 attempts in 2024. He has racked up 17 in 153 attempts this season while completing 71.2% of his passes.

“The quarterback is the key figure. He gets too much credit and too much blame,” Cignetti said. “You know, he overcame adversity. That (pick-six) play wasn’t all on him, but at the end of the day, the ball came off his hand.

“… You don’t go on the road and win a game like this without being able to overcome adversity and never let doubt or frustration creep in. And that was a prime example of that.”

Mendoza has been complemented by a rushing attack averaging 5.6 yards per carry with 13 touchdowns. The defense has allowed just 11.3 points per game. Oregon was limited to 267 total yards, and Ducks quarterback Dante Moore was picked off twice and sacked six times.

“This team has met every challenge up to this point, because they’ve been hungry and humble, prepared properly and put it on the field,” Cignetti said.

It was uncertain who would start at quarterback for the Spartans, as Aidan Chiles was considered questionable early in the week due to an undisclosed injury. He left in the third quarter last Saturday after taking a hard hit during a 38-13 home loss to UCLA.

If Chiles can’t go, redshirt freshman Alessio Milivojevic would get the nod. He threw a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter after Chiles was sidelined.

“(Milivojevic) showed some good signs,” coach Jonathan Smith said. “We do have confidence in his capabilities and his preparation.”

The Spartans (3-3, 0-3) have lost three straight, all in conference, while giving up 121 points. The pressure from alumni and fans on Smith, who is in his second year in the program, has increased.

“Definitely, I have a greater awareness when things are out there, whether they’re talking about me particularly or things around the program,” Smith said.

A game against the undefeated Hoosiers couldn’t have come at a worse time for Michigan State. Indiana clobbered the Spartans 47-10 in East Lansing, Mich., last season.

Smith and his staff met with his team on Sunday after the UCLA debacle.

“Let’s face it — six games in, 3-3 and coming off a loss that was not good enough, obviously. We leaned on the leadership of this team,” he said. “The discussions were of what we want this thing to look like looking forward and any potential issues we might have.”

–Field Level Media