Indiana football finished up its spring camp with the annual spring football game Thursday night at Memorial Stadium. The scrimmage was the first public look at the 2025 squad in action. While the roster, depth chart and overall sense of readiness will look different as the offseason rolls on, there were some details to note from Thursday night.
Fernando Mendoza’s mobility adds a different element to this offense
Thursday night was the first opportunity for fans to see junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza in action. While stats were not officially kept, the Cal transfer unofficially threw for 123 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on 10-for-14 completions. Mendoza was not afraid to fit the ball through tight windows but did have a tendency to lead his receivers into contact over the middle. The interception came on a tipped pass at the line.
While many of the throws, schemes and run-pass option plays were Kurtis Rourke-esque within the system, there was one major difference: mobility. Mendoza moved around in the pocket and was not afraid to roll out in either direction. It was noticeable that he was not rolling out just to scramble, it was with intention to throw. So often this past season, when Rourke was in trouble, the play was likely dead. Mendoza’s ability to add a dynamic aspect to this offense and extend plays will fill that void.
The run game appears explosive
With Ty Son Lawton and Justice Ellison graduating, Maryland transfer Roman Hemby and UAB transfer Lee Beebe Jr. join Kaelon Black in the running back room. Throughout the night, all three backs showed off the explosive nature of Indiana’s run game. The three backs combined unofficially for 141 yards, all averaging at least 3.7 yards per carry. Black had the play of the night offensively, ripping a 40-yard run right up the middle that eventually led to a touchdown. Beebe Jr. had multiple gains of 10-plus and also got involved in the passing game. Hemby did not see too much action, but powered his way for first downs in short-yardage situations. It is still too early to tell how the room will fare against other teams, but at an initial glance, it looks to be a proverbial 1-1-1 punch.
Be ready to learn new names on defense
Indiana’s defense will look fairly different than it did for the 2024 season. Key losses at all three levels have opened up the door for new players to step in. Indiana did bring in some transfers to fill holes, but there is some homegrown talent looking to make noise. On the defensive line, Mario Landino, a 6-foot-4, 275-pound sophomore was consistently in the backfield off the edge. Rolijah Hardy, another sophomore, has put himself in position to take on a bigger role at linebacker, securing the aforementioned pick-six and playing a dynamic game throughout the night. Lineup decisions will change over the course of the offseason, but young guys such as Landino and Hardy are ready to make some noise.
A couple of freshmen stand out
Fans were also able to see some of the early-enrollee freshmen in action for the first time Thursday night. Two standouts were Lebron Bond, a three-star wideout from Norfolk, Virginia and Byron Baldwin Jr., a four-star safety from Baltimore, Maryland.
With wideouts Makai Jackson and Elijah Sarratt not participating and Tyler Morris out for the season, Bond had the chance to step up and show off his elusiveness and speed. He unofficially led all receivers with four receptions for 29 yards. Many of his targets came with defenders closing in and hitting hard, but he hauled in every ball thrown his way. Baldwin, the cornerstone of this year’s recruiting class, displayed some impressive physical traits and knack for being in the right spot at the right time. He made a key leaping pass deflection on third down and was seemingly around the ball every play he was in.
One night in April means very little about where this team is at
The biggest takeaway of any scrimmage is to not overreact. When one unit plays well, the other one looks the opposite. It all balances out into a learning experience for all parties involved to learn and get better. Ultimately, that is the purpose of the game. It is a long road ahead with summer ball and fall camp and a better idea of what this team looks like will come on Aug. 30 in game one against Old Dominion.
