No. 4/5 Indiana football finished the non-conference slate 3-0.
Over his first three seasons, head coach Curt Cignetti is a perfect 9-0 in non-conference matchups.
The Hoosiers will begin Big Ten play in Week 4, starting with a Friday night matchup vs. Northwestern on Sept. 25 in Bloomington. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern on FOX.
Both teams are coming into Friday night undefeated. Here are some notes, numbers and key matchups to know before the game kicks off at Memorial Stadium.
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NOTES
- Northwestern leads the all-time series 47-36-1. Indiana has won the last two matchups between these two teams, including a 41-24 road victory in October of 2024, the most recent matchup between the Hoosiers and Wildcats.
- This will be the 15th Friday night game in program history. The Hoosiers played a record three Friday night games during the 2025 season. This will be the first Friday game at Memorial Stadium since Sept. 12, 2025 when Indiana defeated Indiana State 73-0.
- This is Indiana’s fourth of eight home games during the 2026 season, including the fourth consecutive home game to open the season.
- The 8 p.m. kickoff is the latest start time at Memorial Stadium since Sept. 10, 2022 when Indiana hosted Idaho at the same time.
- Curt Cignetti reached 30 career wins as IU head coach following the Hoosiers’ 38-0 win vs. Western Kentucky. With 30 wins in 32 games coached, Cignetti is the third-fastest FBS coach to reach the 30-win threshold, only behind Larry Coker (Miami – Fla.) and Gil Dobie (Washington), who reached that mark in 31 games.
- Cignetti has a 17-1 record in Big Ten play as IU head coach, winning 10 consecutive conference matchups.
NUMBERS
- 18 – Indiana football’s 18-game home winning streak is the longest active streak in the FBS. The Hoosiers have not lost at Memorial Stadium since 2023.
- 34 – Josh Hoover is tied for sixth among all FBS quarterbacks with 34 career starts.
- 12 – Isaiah Jones’ interceptions vs. Western Kentucky marked the 12th consecutive game IU’s defense forced a turnover.
- 26 – Wide receiver Nick Marsh has caught a pass in 26 consecutive games, dating back to his time at Michigan State. That streak is good for seventh in the nation.
- 513 – Indiana posted 513 yards of total offense against Western Kentucky, the 13th time under Cignetti IU has registered 500 yards of offense.
KEY MATCHUPS
- Aidan Chiles vs. IU defense – This is the third straight year Bryant Haines’ defense is going up against the senior signal-caller, who faced Indiana twice while at Michigan State. In 2025’s 38-13 loss to the Hoosiers, Chiles finished 27-for-33 with 243 passing yards and a touchdown to Nick Marsh. He also rushed for 48 yards on eight carries.
- Indiana receivers vs. Northwestern secondary – Northwestern’s defense forced three interceptions in their 41-7 victory vs Colorado in Week 3. The Wildcats also lead the Big Ten in passes defended with 16. IU’s offense has remained turnover-free through three games.
- Northwestern run game vs. IU front seven – Northwestern’s offense is averaging 203 rushing yards per game, which is sixth best in the Big Ten. Meanwhile, IU’s defense only surrenders 77 rushing yards per game, which is 18th best in the country.
- Curt Cignetti vs. Chip Kelly – The former Eagles and 49ers head coach has brought a new dynamic to Northwestern’s offense. Kelly’s spread scheme creates an interesting challenge for IU’s defense. Two of the great offensive minds in college football will square off on Friday night.
