No. 20 Indiana opened the 2025 season against Old Dominion Saturday at Merchant Bank Field at Memorial Stadium. The Hoosiers won 27-14 in a matchup that bore equal parts good and ugly.
Saturday's environment was much different from the Hoosiers’ opening day one year ago. Entering the second season under head coach Curt Cignetti fans packed the stadium before kickoff, rally towels were flying and a new mascot made its debut.
The crowd roared as Hoosier the Bison jumped out of a plane and parachuted onto Merchant Bank Field. A long anticipated debut as it was announced over the summer that IU would bring back the mascot.
However, Hoosier was not the only thing that fans were anticipating on Saturday. Many fans were curious about what this year holds for the Hoosiers and if they could meet high expectations after last year's College Football Playoff squad.
The day started less than ideal for IU when Old Dominion rushed for a 75-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. It seemed that the Hoosiers didn't know where the ball was until it was nearly too late, as quarterback Colton Joseph kept the ball on an option play.
After that, IU’s defense played more typically and wasn’t missing assignments. Comparing the team on both sides of the ball, the defense was seemingly more comfortable on the field, playing like a group who has been together for a while, despite a few mistakes.
Whereas the offense, led by new quarterback Fernando Mendoza, seemed a little bit awkward or reserved at times. The offensive performance felt uneven compared to the defense, however coming out of the half, they did seem to settle a lot more into their roles than the first two quarters of the game.
Cignetti said that the mistakes that his team made Saturday were things that his teams in the past have never done. He was not pleased with the way his team played on Saturday but credited that a win was a win.
“We just have to execute a little better,” Cignetti said.
Mendoza gave praise to his teammates after Saturday's game, still acknowledging the way they operated.
“It's just not playing up to our standard, including myself," Mendoza said.
IU did create multiple scoring opportunities, including a 91-yard punt return by Cal transfer Jonathan Brady, the longest punt return in Hoosier history since 2004.
Brady was stunned after completing the return saying his head hurt after celebrating with his teammates giving him many headbutts of approval in celebration.
Saturday's game left many with questions about the season this team could have. However, it was week one against a non conference opponent in an environment that was new to many of this year's players and they are also under operation of a new quarterback as well.
Last year at this time in game one against FIU, Indiana was not the team it became by the end of the season. They had hiccups and bobbles, taking them a couple of weeks to pull it together as a group. So while many may be quick to jump on this year's team, it may just take a couple of weeks for them to find their identity and settle — a common thing amongst the landscape of college football.
Kennesaw State will roll into Bloomington at noon next Saturday on the Big Ten Network.
