Indiana
Indiana football: Prepping for new-look UCLA wasn’t an easy task
BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football didn’t have much film to go on as it prepared for its Big Ten opener this week.
That leaves plenty of unknowns as the Hoosiers head into the Rose Bowl on Saturday afternoon to face a UCLA team led by first-year head coach DeShaun Foster and a pair of new coordinators.
The Bruins had a bye week after beating Hawaii, 16-13, in their season-opener.
“I’m sure that coming off their opener they were happy they won but probably not pleased with the way they played overall,” IU coach Curt Cignetti said. “They did go in shorthanded, minus two offensive tackles, but good program like that, I’m sure they have something to prove.”
More: The Runout: Previewing Indiana football’s Week 3 game against UCLA
UCLA’s new defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe keeping same scheme
UCLA promoted linebackers coach Ikaika Malloe to defensive coordinator in January. He’s the program’s fourth defensive coordinator in as many years and replaces D’Anton Lynn, who left for USC. Malloe told reporters during spring practice he planned to keep the same scheme as Lynn used.
The Bruins had the 10th ranked defense in the country last year (301.5 yards allowed per game), but lost some key personnel including defensive end Laiatu Latu and linebacker Darius Muasau.
“The package is the same with some tweaks,” Cignetti said. “Little more pressure perhaps.”
He expanded on that scouting report during his weekly coach’s show.
“There’s some new stuff showing up,” Cignetti said. “I’ve never gone against a team that’s lined up one d-lineman and five linebackers and five defensive backs, or two d-lineman, four linebackers and five defensive backs, couple different 3-3 groupings.”
The film of UCLA’s opener wasn’t much use to IU’s offensive staff since Hawaii ran a spread offense that relied almost exclusively on four-receiver sets and didn’t play a tight end. The Hoosiers mostly play 11 personnel with tight end Zach Horton on the field for much of the game.
More: Why Indiana football isn’t spending much time in California on UCLA road trip
UCLA’s new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy brings pro style attack to Pasadena
UCLA’s new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy isn’t lacking experience, but he’s spent much of his career in the pros. He’s coming off a brief stint as the Washington Commanders offensive coordinator.
“We actually watched stuff of the Commanders in our cut-ups since UCLA only played their one game against Hawaii,” Indiana defensive end Mikail Kamara said.
The Bruins had what IU defensive coordinator Bryant Haines described as a “disjointed” effort in the opener.
“It’s hard off of one game, I’m looking at what appears to be an NFL-style offense that seems a little bit disjointed at times, but has some real playmakers, some real speed on the perimeter, some talented running backs and a gun-slinger type of quarterback (Ethan Garbers),” Haines said. “…A talented offense that hasn’t quite figured out what they want their identity to be.”
UCLA had 343 total yards of offense in the opener, but most of that production (259 yards) came in the second half. They turned it over twice (a pair of interceptions), ran for only 70 yards and was 4 of 13 on third down. Cignetti was quick to note that the Bruins played much of the game without both their starting tackles — Garrett DiGiorgio and Reuben Unije — who he expects will be back in the lineup on Saturday.
“They struggled up front,” Cignetti said.
Indiana’s focus will be putting pressure on Garbers regardless of who is blocking for him.
“He can really wing it, and he’s mobile, and he’s a very talented guy,” Cignetti said.
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.
Another round of Big Lots stores is reopening, including one in the Hoosier state.
The dozens of openings will come after the company filed for bankruptcy and closed some locations in 2024. Nine Big Lots locations in six states reopened on April 10, and the company plans to reopen 55 Big Lots stores on May 1. Two more rounds of openings are set to take place through early June.
Which Big Lots store is reopening in Indiana?
A recent list of stores planned for reopening in May includes the location at 195 S. US 231 in Jasper.
Where else are Big Lots stores reopening?
A Big Lots spokesperson told Fast Company that the following stores will reopen in May.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Approximately 50 Hoosier Guardsmen are returning to Indiana after being mobilized to support the Texas National Guard in Operation Lone Star.
The Indiana National Guard’s support of Operation Lone Star began in April 2024 with 50 soldiers assisting U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and the Texas National Guard with border security.
The mission has resulted in a 94% decrease in border crossings compared to March 2024, the Indiana National Guard says.
Brig. Gen. Larry Muennich, the adjutant general, commended the soldiers for their work along the southern border.
“I look forward to welcoming them back home soon. This is an example of how the Indiana National Guard always stands ready to support our state and nation when called,” Muennich said in a release.
Gov. Mike Braun added, “We are proud to welcome home these brave Hoosier Guardsmen and thank them for their service during this successful mission.”
During the first rotation at the border, Indiana Guardsmen had over 11,000 interactions, including detecting 2,639 individual crossings and supporting 35 surrenders. The second rotation began in March 2025 and has had nearly 600 interactions to date.
Guardsmen are expected to return to Indiana within 60 days. During that time, they will out-process, return equipment, and demobilize.
“We are proud to welcome home these brave Hoosier Guardsmen and thank them for their service during this successful mission,” Gov. Mike B
The Indiana National Guard says it will turn its focus to other challenges related to illegal immigration, such as illicit drug use and crime.
The successful completion of Operation Lone Star by the Indiana National Guard highlights their readiness to support national security initiatives. The Guardsmen’s return marks the end of a significant mission in border security.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Indiana ranks third-highest in U.S. maternal mortality rates with Black women having a 93% higher mortality rate than white women, according to the Indiana Department of Health.
TaKiesha Smith, a certified birth doula, said, “It’s the worst because of the lack of access. There are lots of places in the state where people just can’t get to or get help. The thing that really is upsetting with maternal health is that 80% of the things that causes maternal death is preventable.”
Smith believes change can happen if more people in the health care industry listen and take Black women’s health concerns more seriously, provide access to more areas in the state.
“We can’t get them to the right kind of doctors, and that’s why we have a crisis here in Indiana. We’ve got 43 counties that don’t even have a maternal care center anymore.”
She says it’s also important for Black women to advocate for themselves and find support. Smith thinks its important for women to consider getting a professional doula who will advocate for them, listen to their needs, and know the signs of preeclampsia. “If you get a headache that won’t go away with Tylenol or Advil and it’s a headache that’s persistent, swelling in both legs, and a pain that’s new and persistent.”
Smith says preeclampsia is the leading cause of Black maternal death.
As she sees it, the more Black women get the access to maternal education and the right resources, the number of Black maternal deaths will go down.
“The day you have your baby shouldn’t be the say you advocate for your life. Only 3% of providers look like us, so not everyone is going to have a Black or brown provider, but making sure they are with a provider that cares about them, listens to them, respects them and that they understand their rights.”
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