2024 SEASON-IN-REVIEW

Record: 11-2, Loss vs. Notre Dame in College Football Playoff First Round (27-17)

The Hoosiers were the breakout team in the nation last season. Curt Cignetti led Indiana to a 10-0 start before its first loss of the season to Ohio State. Indiana cruised into the College Football Playoff for the first time before being handled by Notre Dame. After a major break out last season, the question remains can Indiana do it again in 2025?

OFFENSE: Hoosiers Completely Reload in Portal

Cignetti came to Indiana and crushed the transfer portal in his first season. This offseason, he did the same thing and it begins under center.

Quarterback Fernando Mendoza comes in from Cal and will take over for Kurtis Rourke, who thrived with 3,000 yard sand 29 touchdowns last season. Mendoza put up similar numbers at Cal last season. He will have plenty of weapons to work with.

Elijah Sarratt returns after being the team’s top receiver in 2024. He led the team with 53 catches and will be the No. 1 once again. Omar Cooper will step into an extended role while Jonathan Brady comes in from Cal after working with Mendoza last season. Cignetti also prioritized the tight end position in the portal, landing Holden Staes from Tennessee and Wisconsin’s Riley Nowakowski.

With Carter Smith returning at left tackle, the Hoosiers wanted to solidify the line this season. Pat Coogan comes in from Notre Dame to be the center while Colorado transfer Khalil Benson will also be featured at guard. The tight tackle spot will be manned up Zen Michalski from Ohio State.

The offense for Indiana has a chance to be just as productive as the 11-win team last season.

DEFENSE: Pass Rush Looks to Compete in Big Ten

The defensive line will be the key for Indiana this season. And once again, Cignetti dominated the portal.

Stephen Daly has been a major contributor over the last two years at Kent State with five sacks and 15 tackles for loss. Kellan Wyatt has three years of experience in the Big Ten at Maryland while Hosea Wheeler comes in from Western Kentucky as a breakout contender.

Mikali Kamara returns as an All-Big Ten stud after putting up 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss last season.

The defense remains strong behind the line. Aidan Fisher logged 118 tackles at James Madison last season while Rolijah Hardy will look to step up as a sophomore. The secondary features D’Angelo Ponds as a shutdown corner while Jamari Sharpe will likely play opposite.

2025 INDIANA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

• Saturday, Aug. 30: vs. Old Dominion
• Saturday, Sept. 6: vs. Kennesaw State
• Friday, Sept. 12: vs. Indiana State
• Saturday, Sept. 20: vs. Illinois
• Saturday, Sept. 27: at Iowa
• Saturday, Oct. 11: at Oregon
• Saturday, Oct. 18: vs. Michigan State
• Saturday, Oct. 25: vs. UCLA
• Saturday, Nov. 1: at Maryland
• Saturday, Nov. 8: at Penn State
• Saturday, Nov. 15: vs. Wisconsin
• Friday, Nov. 28: at Purdue