Indiana football kicked off its 2025 season with four consecutive 300-yard rushing games. But heading into Saturday’s matchup against Maryland, the Hoosiers had not eclipsed that mark since a 312-yard performance against Illinois on Sept. 20.
Going into Saturday’s contest, Indiana’s 230.5 rushing yards per game ranked 10th in the nation. Meanwhile, Maryland entered Saturday’s matchup surrendering 124.3 ground yards per game, and just 3.49 yards per carry.
The Terrapins’ defensive front is headlined by freshman defensive lineman Sidney Stewart, who, with eight tackles for loss, was tied for seventh in the Big Ten heading into their game against the Hoosiers.
“Very athletic front,” Indiana redshirt senior running back Kaelon Black said during player media availability on Tuesday. “Their front seven is very athletic. Those backers that they have, they can move. So, honestly, that’s just even more of a challenge for us to, you know what I’m saying, be detail oriented.”
The Indiana rushing attack embraced the challenge.
The Hoosiers combined for a season-high 367 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground, powering them to a 55-10 road victory over the Terrapins in College Park, Maryland.
Despite its dominant outing on the ground, Indiana’s rushing attack started slow. Redshirt senior running back Roman Hemby took the first three carries out of the backfield for the Hoosiers but turned those attempts into negative yards.
However, Cignetti and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan continued to rely on the run game. During their third possession of the game, the Hoosiers ran the ball on nine of their 13 plays from the line of scrimmage.
In addition to the backfield tandem of Black and Hemby, redshirt junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza did damage with his legs on the third drive. Mendoza kept the ball for an 18-yard gain, before taking a 7-yard rush into the endzone to grant the Hoosiers a 7-3 lead.
Indiana’s rushing success came without starting redshirt junior offensive lineman Drew Evans, who was inactive Saturday. Redshirt senior offensive lineman Zen Michalski replaced Evans, and the Hoosiers’ offensive line consistently paved open holes for the backfield to run through.
“However, Zen went in and he's played at big games at Ohio State, and that's what he's brought here to do: play in big games,” Fernando Mendoza said postgame. “And I think he did a fantastic job. I think you just plug him in, especially with the leadership we have under Coach (Bob) Bostad.”
While it was a slow start to the Indiana running game with Michalski starting in place of Evans, the unit rallied together to power a successful second half on the ground. The Hoosiers ran for 236 of their 367 rushing yards in the second half.
“Man, our game plan, our offensive line, them boys did their thing today, man,” Black said. “I know y'all seen them. They did what they could for us, and we were able to go out there and make some things shake, but we have to give all the praise to the O-line, quarterback made some great reads, receivers blocking.”
With the Hoosiers on their way to a blowout victory, Mendoza exited the game after throwing one pass in the fourth quarter. Mendoza’s brother and redshirt freshman quarterback Alberto Mendoza entered the contest in his place, and broke off a 53-yard run, adding to Saturday’s rushing totals.
Black led the Indiana backfield with 110 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, while Hemby churned out 88 yards and a touchdown on 18 attempts.
Despite not receiving a touch until late in the third quarter, redshirt freshman running back Khobie Martin stayed ready and provided a spark to relieve Black and Hemby. The Fishers, Indiana, native took 11 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown.
“Great coaching, man,” Black said postgame. “It all starts with the top. They’re making sure that whoever’s in the game, we’re all prepared, all focused, all keyed into the details, and trying to get the job done.”
Cignetti recognized the performances of the backfield trio of Hemby, Black and Martin in the locker room postgame. The head coach called on the trio to lead the team in the singing of Indiana’s fight song following the unit’s dominant outing.
With the victory, Indiana improved to 9-0 for a second consecutive season –– the first time in program history the Hoosiers have opened consecutive years with that record.
The Cream and Crimson will look to continue their historic season and build upon Saturday’s dominant rushing output on the road against Penn State on Nov. 8. The Nittany Lions have struggled against the run this season, allowing 158.7 rushing yards per game before surrendering 164 ground yards to Ohio State on Saturday.
Follow reporters Conor Banks (@Conorbanks06 and conbanks@iu.edu) and Dalton James (@DaltonMJames and jamesdm@iu.edu) and columnist Quinn Richards (@Quinn_richa and qmrichar@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.
