With college football season starting to creep up, we’re running down Indiana’s schedule to preview all 12 opponents for 2025.
Indiana rounds out its non-conference slate with a Friday night game against FCS opponent Indiana State. The Sycamores haven’t posted a winning record since 2017, Curt Mallory’s second season as head coach. The team improved from 1-10 in 2023 to 4-8 last season, but ISU still has a lot of work to do to get back to winning ways.
- Opponent: Indiana State
- Date/Time/TV: Friday, September 12, 6:30 or 7 p.m. ET, BTN
- Location: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Ind.
- 2024 record/postseason result: 4-8, 3-5 MVC
Overall Outlook:
Indiana State’s offense largely struggled last season, ranking 105th out of 123 teams in FCS in total offense at 297.2 yards per game. The Sycamores passing offense lagged behind the rushing attack — they rushed for 149.9 yards per game (62nd in the country), while throwing for 147.3 yards per game (111th in the nation). ISU has primary quarterback and leading rusher Elijah Owens back this year, along with leading receiver Rashad Rochelle (who transferred from Rutgers in 2024).
Mallory’s team wasn’t much better defensively in 2024. It allowed 419.6 yards per game, good for 95th in the country in total defense. ISU gave up 249 passing yards per game (106th in the nation) and 170.6 rushing yards per game (86th). And some of the defense’s top playmakers from last season are gone.
The Sycamores have two Bloomington products on their roster: redshirt junior defensive back Tyree Rochell and redshirt freshman defensive lineman Tysen Smith, both from Bloomington South.
Curt Cignetti displayed absolutely no mercy on last season’s FCS opponent, Western Illinois, as the Hoosiers steamrolled to a historic 77-3 victory. It’s unrealistic to expect another 70-point performance, but IU should have no trouble whatsoever in this game. Expect to see plenty of Alberto Mendoza and other underclassmen reserves in this contest.
This also seems a good space to touch on the date of this game. IU and ISU play on a Friday night — the same Friday when Bloomington High School North and Bloomington High School South face off on the football field. ISU fans are similarly inconvenienced by this game conflicting with the rivalry game between Terre Haute North Vigo and Terre Haute South Vigo. Friday night games, in general, are tough for anyone who cares about the local high school football scene. But scheduling this specific game over those specific high school matchups seems counterproductive for just about all parties involved.
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