What to know about the Indiana Hoosiers in 2025
Here's a look at Indiana as the 2025 season draws closer.
2024 in review
In his first year at the helm, Cignetti led the Hoosiers to their first 10-win season in program history and added an 11th win for good measure. His unprecedented success led to Indiana's first College Football Playoff appearance, which ended with a loss to Notre Dame. Though he benefited from a soft schedule, the success can't be overlooked.
Head coach profile
Cignetti famously told a reporter "It's pretty simple - I win. Google me" after being hired at Indiana before the 2024 season. He did just that, taking the Hoosiers to historic sights. Prior to that, Cignetti was the head coach at James Madison for five seasons. In his first season, he led the Dukes to an FCS title game appearance followed by a semifinal appearance the year after. When James Madison transitioned to the Sun Belt to join the FBS ranks, it went 8-3 and won a share of the division championship before improving to 11-2 the following year despite being ineligible for the Sun Belt title game.
Top offensive player
After finding success with transfer quarterback Kurtis Rourke last season, the Hoosiers brought in Fernando Mendoza from Cal, who figures to be one of their top offensive players in 2025. Mendoza was ranked as the No. 4 quarterback transfer by 247Sports and threw for over 3,000 yards at a 68.7% clip with 16 touchdowns to six interceptions.
Top defensive players
Edge rusher Mikail Kamara likely would've been drafted this offseason had he declared, but he opted to return for a second season at Indiana and fourth with Curt Cignetti after following the head coach from James Madison. Kamara recorded 10 sacks last season, fourth most in the Big Ten and most among returning players. Additionally, cornerback D'Angelo Ponds, another former Duke, was a first-team All-Big Ten selection last year and is a first-round hopeful after recording 55 tackles and three picks last season.
2025 schedule
The Hoosiers will visit Happy Valley in early November for their first trip to Beaver Stadium since a 33-24 loss in 2023. Penn State has won the last three matchups and 25 of 27 total matchups, but Indiana's most recent win came on Michael Penix's infamous walk-off two-point conversion at the pylon in 2020. Both teams will serve as a major benchmark for the other, and the loser of this game may be knocked out of the playoff picture as a result.
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