Indiana

Tale of the Tape: Indiana offense vs. Penn State defense

Published

3 weeks ago

November 6, 2025

Tale of the Tape: Indiana offense vs. Penn State defense

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.

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Indiana

Travel watch for most of our area, snow covered roads

Published

3 hours ago

November 30, 2025

Press Room

Travel watch for most of our area, snow covered roads

You are being urged to stay home except for essential travel and emergencies.

Nearly all of northern Indiana is under a Travel Watch, according to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security’s website.

St Joseph, Elkhart, LaGrange, Kosciusko, Marshall, Starke, Pulaski and Fulton counties are all under a Travel Watch.

This means conditions are threatening to the safety of the public and only essential travel is recommended.

La Porte County is under an advisory, which is the lowest level of warning.

Snow covered roads are leading to multiple slide offs through out our area.

U.S. 31 appears to be a problem area.

St. Joseph County police says one southbound lane was closed overnight due to a stuck semi.

This was just south of Kern Road.

Photo captured from INDOT snowplow near Rochester on Old U.S. 31 at 5:20 Sunday morning.

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office shared the Highway Department pulled all snowplows from the roadways overnight, due to hazardous conditions.

Plows were expected to be back out Sunday morning.

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Indiana

How trajectories of Indiana, Purdue turned Bucket game into one-sided rivalry

Published

21 hours ago

November 29, 2025

Press Room

How trajectories of Indiana, Purdue turned Bucket game into one-sided rivalry

WEST LAFAYETTE — Indiana football is firmly in control of the Old Oaken Bucket.

The No. 2 Hoosiers (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) beat Purdue 56-3 on Friday night at Ross-Ade Stadium to keep the trophy in Bloomington for a second straight year.

Indiana has put together consecutive wins against the Boilermakers that rank among the most dominant pair of victories in the history of the series.

This is the first time in eight decades the Hoosiers have held their rival without a touchdown in two straight games. Their margin of victory in the wins (119 points) is the most in program history and third most all-time for either team.

The other games on the list? Those happened back in the 1890s.

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti has fueled the Hoosiers recent success, but he took a measured approach when talking about the current state of the rivalry.

“The fact that we’ve outscored them like we have, it’s just a fact where we are at and where they are at right now,” Cignetti said. “They are going to get better, there’s no doubt in my mind that they are going to get better. Coach (Barry Odom) is going to do a great job of improving that roster and coaching that football team, they sort of hit rock bottom, it timed up with my arrival.”

Odom steered clear of addressing the rivalry head on as well. He thanked the fans for supporting the team throughout the 2025 season even though they didn’t give them much to cheer about.

“I’ll get it fixed,” Odom said.

The game on Friday night showed he had a long way to go as did the makeup of the crowd. By the final whistle, the sections behind IU’s bench were completely full of fans decked out in crimson.

“I think we pretty much took over the stadium tonight,” Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher said. “This game, this rivalry, means a lot to former players, alums and fans, everybody included in Indiana football. When you travel like that, it can feel like a home environment at times, it’s special.”

Want more Hoosiers coverage? Sign up for IndyStar’s Hoosiers newsletter. Listen to Mind Your Banners, our IU Athletics-centric podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the latest on IndyStar TV: Hoosiers.

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How to Watch Indiana vs Purdue: Live Stream NCAA College Football, TV Channel

Published

2 days ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

The Indiana Hoosiers face the Purdue Boilermakers in this Black Friday college football matchup at Ross-Ade Stadium.

How to Watch Indiana vs Purdue

When: Friday, November 28, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Live Stream: Peacock (watch now)

The Hoosiers come into this rivalry showdown riding one of the greatest seasons in program history. Indiana is 11-0 overall and 8-0 in the Big Ten, ranked No. 2 nationally in the College Football Playoff rankings. With a win tonight, Indiana could complete its first-ever perfect regular season and punch a ticket to the conference championship. Offensively and defensively, they’ve been elite with their offense averaging over 40 points per game this year, and their defense allowing one of the lowest points-per-game marks in the country.

On the other side, Purdue enters at 2-9 (0-8 in the Big Ten), having lost nine straight games. The gap between the two teams in terms of consistency, depth and momentum is massive, not helped by the fact that last season Indiana crushed Purdue 66–0, the worst loss in series history for the Boilermakers. That said, rivalry games often carry a different kind of intensity, and Purdue, now under a new head coach, may push hard for pride and a spoiler-upset, especially playing at home under the lights at Ross-Ade Stadium.

This is a great college football matchup that you will not want to miss; make sure to tune in and catch all the action.

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