Indiana
‘Blessed to have an amazing offensive line’: Indiana football needs to rebuild line
Curt Cignetti wants players approaching spring practice with ‘great sense of urgency’
Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti talks about how he defines progress for his position groups and players during spring practice:
BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football’s offensive line had a lot to say about the program’s historic success last season.
The Hoosiers only gave up 11 sacks during their 10-0 start and didn’t allow a single sack in five of those wins. The group allowed fewer quarterback pressures last season (86) than they did through the first six games of 2023 (87).
There was a noticeable drop-off in performance late in the year — the season-ending injury that starting left guard Drew Evans didn’t help — and IU coach Curt Cignetti went into the offseason looking to bolster their talent and depth up front.
Indiana had success in the portal by landing Notre Dame center Pat Coogan (26 career starts), Ohio State tackle Zen Michalski (a former 4-star prospect) and Colorado guard Kahlil Benson (21 career starts). Benson is a familiar face having spent four seasons in Bloomington as a member of the team’s 2020 signing class.
Cignetti offered his thoughts on the state of the offensive line on Tuesday morning after the team wrapped up the sixth practice of the spring.
“I see progress,” Cignetti said. “Coogan is making progress, Carter Smith has got to get better. They all got to get better, right? All of them.”
Indiana’s new quarterback Fernando Mendoza was a bit more effusive when he talked about the offensive line last week. Mendoza was sacked 40 times last season at Cal — third-most in the FBS — and pressured on 156 of his 460 dropbacks.
“I could go on and on about all of those guys,” Mendoza said. “Those are all phenomenal players, and I have a ton of time (to throw the ball). Quite honestly it is a little more time than I am used to, I would say. But it has been great, and I have had great offensive lines in the past, and I am blessed to have an amazing offensive line this year.”
There have been some roadblocks for the line this spring.
Evan’s Achilles injury will sideline him until the fall — Cignetti hasn’t offered an exact timeline for his return — and Benson is on the shelf as well with an undisclosed injury. Indiana backup guard Austin Leibfried broke his hand during spring camp but is playing through the injury.
“He’s in a big hand cast and that’s limiting him a little bit right now,” Cignetti said.
Cignetti said the younger linemen getting reps in their place have done a “nice job.” He specifically mentioned redshirt freshman Adedamola Ajani along with early enrollees Baylor Wilkin and Matt Marek. Ajani is working at guard while Wilkin is getting reps at tackle and Marek is at center.
“The first line looks like an offensive line for the most part,” Cignetti said. “Functions like an offensive line for the most part. We’ve got to continue to get better, working together.”
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.
Curt Cignetti completely reloaded the offense to make it even better in his second season at Indiana. With Fernando Mendoza at the helm, Indiana is flourishing not only in the passing game but also in the running game. Penn State has struggled on defense, and was gashed by one of the best offenses last week in Ohio State.
Facing another top offense in the country, the Nittany Lions will have their hands full facing some high-end talent at all aspects of the Indiana offense.
Can Penn State’s defense slow down the best offense in the country or will Indiana continue to run through teams?
All rankings and stats are from CFBStats.com
Passing yards per game
- Indiana offense: 259.2 ypg (33rd in nation)
- Penn State defense: 166.4 ypg (16th)
Mendoza is one of the favorites for the Heisman trophy. Just because the numbers aren’t quite there, doesn’t mean it’s bad. Mendoza is doing exactly what he needs to, making every throw in the book. In his last two games, his passing numbers have gone down, but the Hoosiers haven’t needed him. Against a top pass defense on paper, Mendoza will rely on his receivers, who could open the game up like Ohio State’s did last season.
A.J. Harris and Zakee Wheatley will have to step up to limit receivers like Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. If Mendoza finds them early, it could be game over before halftime.
Passing yards per attempt
- Indiana offense: 9.4 ypa (8th)
- Penn State defense: 6.4 ypa (32nd)
Similar numbers to the per-game numbers at passing. Indiana gets almost a first down every single pass attempt on average. Mendoza relies on Cooper and Sarratt, who both have made plays. Penn State’s secondary has shown to struggle against better receivers and could struggle again against the Indiana duo.
The top three receivers all average over 10 yards per catch and the big play ability is something that is heavily in Indiana’s playbook. Similar game plans could be implemented as it was against Ohio State, despite the lack of stopping the big play.
Rushing yards per game
- Indiana offense: 245.67 ypg (6th)
- Penn State defense: 159.38 ypg (90th)
Indiana has one of the best running games in the country. Mix that with Penn State’s struggling rush defense and it’s potential disaster for the blue and white. The running game has to be limited if the Nittany Lions want any chance in the game. However, the Hoosiers could continue to ride the running game and roll to a victory fairly easily.
Zane Durant and Dani Dennis-Sutton are two names on Penn State’s defensive line that need to step up. For Indiana, Kaelon Black leads the way with 619 yards. However, the team utilizes a committee style with the top three rushers having four or more touchdowns.
Rushing yards per attempt
- Indiana offense: 5.74 ypa (10th)
- Penn State defense: 4.18 ypa (77th)
Black and Khobie Martin are both averaging over six yards per rush. Based on prior matchups, they are in for a monster day, making it easier for Mendoza and the pass game. Black’s 6.4 ypa with a long of 40 yards will give issues for Penn State. Martin one-ups him with 7.2 ypa, both holding the capability of a big run.
Amare Campbell will need to continue to step up in the absence of Tony Rojas. If another linebacker emerges the running game could be limited. However, Penn State hasn’t shown anyone in that position that can step up, which could show what is to come against the Hoosiers.
Points per game
- Indiana offense: 46.4 ppg (1st)
- Penn State defense: 21.8 ppg (41st)
If the game goes off the stats, Indiana will score around 35 points. However, that number could absolutely be higher as Ohio State put up 38 points and had most of them with plenty of time to spare. Indiana can score quick or it can take its time to get down the field. No matter what, it’s successful as Cignetti just continues to win at a program that had little success.
Penn State will need to do whatever it can to keep the ball away from this high-powered offense. If it limits possessions, the Nittany Lions could have a chance, but the offense has had so much success that it may not even matter.
Indiana
Indiana basketball stats, box score today vs. Alabama A&M: How did Tucker DeVries, Lamar Wilkerson play?
Indiana basketball started the 2025-26 season with an 98-51 win over Alabama A&M. The Hoosiers trailed 3-0 then quickly surged ahead for good, led by Reed Bailey and Lamar Wilkerson. Tucker DeVries reaches the career 2,000-point mark and leads IU in rebounds.
Alabama A&M basketball stats vs. Indiana today
| Player | Pts | Reb | Ast | FG | 3FG | FT | PF |
| P.J. Eason | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 4 |
| Kintavious Dozier | 12 | 1 | 3 | 4-9 | 0-1 | 4-7 | 1 |
| Koron Davis | 7 | 9 | 0 | 3-10 | 0-1 | 1-1 | 4 |
| Sami Pissis | 7 | 1 | 4 | 3-10 | 0-3 | 1-3 | 1 |
| Lou Hutchinson | 15 | 0 | 0 | 5-5 | 4-4 | 1-2 | 1 |
| James Flippin | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1-10 | 1-2 | 1-2 | 1 |
| Angok Anyang | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 2 |
| Tajden Davis | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 2 |
| Jalen Carruth | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0-3 | 0-2 | 0-0 | 0 |
| Gabe Kincy | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0-2 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0 |
| B. Abdur-Rahman | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 2-4 | 0 |
| — | 51 | 19 | 9 | 18-52 (34%) | 5-15 (33.3%) | 10-19 (52.6%) | 16 |
Indiana basketball stats vs. Alabama A&M today
- 0, Jasai Miles
- 1, Reed Bailey
- 2, Jason Drake
- 3, Lamar Wilkerson
- 4, Sam Alexis
- 5, Conor Enright
- 6, Tayton Conerway
- 7, Nick Dorn
- 10, Josh Harris
- 11, Trent Sisley
- 12, Tucker DeVries
- 13, Aleksa Ristic
- 15, Andrej Acimovic
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The No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers hit the road for a Big Ten battle versus the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium.
If you are searching for Hoosiers vs. Nittany Lions tickets, information is available below.
Indiana vs. Penn State game info
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How to buy Indiana vs. Penn State tickets for college football Week 11
You can purchase tickets to see the Hoosiers play the Nittany Lions from multiple providers.
Indiana Hoosiers football schedule
- Week 1: Aug. 30 vs. Old Dominion Monarchs, 27-14 win
- Week 2: Sept. 6 vs. Kennesaw State Owls, 56-9 win
- Week 3: Sept. 12 vs. Indiana State Sycamores, 73-0 win
- Week 4: Sept. 20 vs. Illinois Fighting Illini, 63-10 win
- Week 5: Sept. 27 at Iowa Hawkeyes, 20-15 win
- Week 7: Oct. 11 at Oregon Ducks, 30-20 win
- Week 8: Oct. 18 vs. Michigan State Spartans, 38-13 win
- Week 9: Oct. 25 vs. UCLA Bruins, 56-6 win
- Week 10: Nov. 1 at Maryland Terrapins, 55-10 win
- Week 11: Nov. 8 at noon ET at Penn State Nittany Lions
- Week 12: Nov. 15 vs. Wisconsin Badgers
- Week 14: Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Purdue Boilermakers
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Indiana Hoosiers stats
- Indiana has been shining on both sides of the ball, ranking third-best in total offense (504.9 yards per game) and seventh-best in total defense (248.3 yards allowed per game).
- The Hoosiers have been shining on both sides of the ball, ranking best in scoring offense (46.4 points per game) and third-best in scoring defense (10.8 points allowed per game).
- Defensively, Indiana has been a top-25 unit in terms of passing yards, ranking 18th-best by allowing just 168.3 passing yards per game. The Hoosiers rank 33rd on offense (259.2 passing yards per game).
- The Hoosiers have been shining on both offense and defense in the running game, ranking sixth-best in rushing offense (245.7 rushing yards per game) and fourth-best in rushing defense (80.0 rushing yards allowed per game).
Penn State Nittany Lions football schedule
- Week 1: Aug. 30 vs. Nevada Wolf Pack, 46-11 win
- Week 2: Sept. 6 vs. Florida International Panthers, 34-0 win
- Week 3: Sept. 13 vs. Villanova Wildcats, 52-6 win
- Week 5: Sept. 27 vs. Oregon Ducks, 30-24 loss
- Week 6: Oct. 4 at UCLA Bruins, 42-37 loss
- Week 7: Oct. 11 vs. Northwestern Wildcats, 22-21 loss
- Week 8: Oct. 18 at Iowa Hawkeyes, 25-24 loss
- Week 10: Nov. 1 at Ohio State Buckeyes, 38-14 loss
- Week 11: Nov. 8 at noon ET vs. Indiana Hoosiers
- Week 12: Nov. 15 at Michigan State Spartans
- Week 13: Nov. 22 vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers
- Week 14: Nov. 29 at Rutgers Scarlet Knights
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Penn State Nittany Lions stats
- Penn State is posting 335.6 total yards per contest on offense this season (107th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is allowing 325.8 total yards per contest (34th-ranked).
- The Nittany Lions are accumulating 31.5 points per game on offense this season (49th-ranked). Meanwhile, they are allowing 21.8 points per game (41st-ranked) on defense.
- Offensively, Penn State is a bottom-25 pass offense, putting up only 180.4 passing yards per game (23rd-worst). Fortunately, it is dominating on the other side of the ball, surrendering just 166.4 passing yards per contest (14th-best).
- From an offensive perspective, the Nittany Lions are compiling 155.3 rushing yards per contest (69th-ranked). They rank 89th in the FBS on defense (159.4 rushing yards given up per game).
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This content was created for Gannett using technology provided by Data Skrive.
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