Indiana University’s 2025 Homecoming theme was “There’s No Place Like Homecoming.” A nod to the classic 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz,” the Student Athletic Board’s first-place float featured a yellow brick road leading up to an elevated miniature version of Memorial Stadium and a cutout of Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti’s face on either side.
It’s been a good while since I’ve seen the movie, so I won’t foolishly attempt to compare its plot to the Hoosiers’ 38-13 win over Michigan State on Saturday afternoon. Just kidding, I will.
Indiana hired Cignetti in December 2023, and the ruby slippers fit. The Hoosiers aren’t just dreaming, they’re for real. Last season, they started down the yellow brick road and have since made their mark on the college football world. Indiana hasn’t lost in Bloomington with its new coach at the helm — a trend that continued against the Spartans. There truly is no place like home.
Hopefully that made sense. I rewatched the trailer to jog my memory. Alright, here’s your Week 8 edition of Richards’ Report Card.
Quarterbacks
Grade: A+
Explanation: Redshirt junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza continues to shoot up draft boards with his highly efficient performances. This time around, he threw for 332 yards and four touchdowns while completing 24 of his 28 pass attempts. What impressed me the most this week was Mendoza’s pinpoint accuracy on throws down the field. The future NFL first round pick — yes, I’m that confident — consistently got the ball out on time and hit his receivers in stride. Mendoza currently leads FBS Division I quarterbacks with 21 passing touchdowns and a 191 passer rating.
Running Backs
Grade: B
Explanation: It was a fairly unremarkable day from Indiana’s running back room. Aside from redshirt senior Kaelon Black’s 29-yard burst to the end zone just before halftime, there wasn’t too much to talk about. That’s not to say they performed poorly. Although redshirt senior Roman Hemby had a season-low 11 yards on six rushes, the group combined for 114 yards on 22 carries as a whole. The Hoosiers’ rushing attack continues to warrant enough focus to keep defenses from selling out to stop the Mendoza-led passing attack.
Receivers
Grade: A+
Explanation: It’s becoming difficult to find new ways to praise the talents of senior Elijah Sarratt and redshirt junior Omar Cooper Jr. Indiana’s dynamic receiving duo shined yet again — in a surprise to no one — totaling 12 catches for 185 yards and three touchdowns. Instead of writing about them, I’ll highlight a different wideout for a change. Redshirt sixth-year senior E.J. Williams Jr. brought down five grabs for 59 yards and a touchdown, furthering the depth in the Hoosiers’ receiving room. Not that Mendoza needs it, but if Williams can continue being a tough cover out wide, Indiana’s offense will be even more difficult to gameplan against.
Offensive Line
Grade: A
Explanation: I’m not sure what Mendoza bought his offensive line before Saturday, but it must’ve been a fairly nice gift based on the elite pass protection he received in return. Each time he dropped back, he had plenty of time to work through progressions and pick out an open receiver. The Hoosiers didn’t allow a single sack and gave up just three tackles for loss, two of which were on outside screen passes.
Defensive Line
Grade: B+
Explanation: Indiana would’ve held the Spartans to just 10 rushing yards on 23 carries if not for junior quarterback Aidan Chiles’ 64-yard run early in the fourth quarter. By that point, the Hoosiers had already brought in some second-string defenders. Indiana’s defensive line blocked up run gaps and was able to force the Spartans’ signal caller out of the pocket on quite a few occasions. Senior defensive end Stephen Daley led the way with a pair of sacks in the win. While Indiana dominated the Spartans’ rushing attack in the trenches, Chiles’ elusiveness caused some problems for its pass rush. Still, they walked out with the Hoosiers’ best defensive grade this week.
Linebackers
Grade: B
Explanation: Senior Aiden Fisher and sophomore Rolijah Hardy had themselves a productive afternoon, mounting a combined 17 total tackles — four of which were behind the line of scrimmage. Despite the success in Michigan State’s backfield, there were struggles in pass coverage. Chiles completed 20 of his 22 first-half throws, many of which were over the middle of the field in zone coverage. While some of that can be blamed on the defensive backs, it's a responsibility that usually falls on the linebackers. Still, Indiana’s linebackers had an overall positive impact once again.
Secondary
Grade: C+
Explanation: The Hoosiers’ secondary allowed by far the most passing yards it has in any other matchup this season. The Spartans threw for 293 yards in the air which surpassed Iowa’s 192-yard mark set on Sept. 27. Chiles’ aforementioned mobility had success in the first half with his ability to extend plays, a skill that gave Michigan State's wide receivers time to break open. That became a trend in the first half. Two of Indiana’s top-five leading tacklers were cornerbacks. That’s usually not a good thing, considering those tackles tend to coincide with receptions.
Special Teams
Grade: A
Explanation: There’s really not much to say about the ever-so-consistent Indiana special teams unit. The Hoosiers didn’t punt, redshirt sophomore kicker Nico Radicic converted his only field goal attempt and redshirt sixth-year senior kicker Brendan Franke booted every kickoff out of the end zone. Generally, an unnoteworthy performance is good news for a special teams unit. That was the case Saturday afternoon.
Follow reporters Dalton James (@DaltonMJames and jamesdm@iu.edu) and Conor Banks (@Conorbanks06 and conbanks@iu.edu) and columnist Quinn Richards (@Quinn_richa and qmrichar@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.
