Indiana football returned home for Senior Day to celebrate its 28 players in their final season of eligibility Saturday against Wisconsin.
Despite leading by just 3 points at halftime, the Hoosiers seized control in the second half en route to a 31-7 victory. The Cream and Crimson are now 11-0 for the first time in the program’s 127-year history.
The Badgers opened the contest with a nearly eight-minute, 13-play drive; however, they missed a 44-yard field goal. The Hoosiers wasted no time getting on the scoreboard on their first possession.
Redshirt junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza found sophomore receiver Charlie Becker for a 31-yard touchdown as Indiana led 7-0.
But over the Hoosiers’ ensuing two drives, they ran just nine plays and gained 36 yards. With Wisconsin playing stifling defense, its offense tied the game. Freshman quarterback Carter Smith connected with senior tight end Lance Mason for a 45-yard score, fooling Indiana’s defense on fourth and one.
Redshirt sophomore kicker Nico Radicic drilled a 37-yard field goal on the Hoosiers’ final drive of the first half, as they entered the locker room with a 10-7 advantage.
During his Big Ten Network halftime interview, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti said his squad needed to settle down and execute.
And the Hoosiers did. Mendoza tossed a 48-yard dime to Becker on third down, as the Cream and Crimson made their way deep into Wisconsin territory. The Heisman candidate then found senior tight end Holden Staes for a 2-yard touchdown as the Hoosiers took a 10-point lead.
Although Indiana forced Wisconsin into a three-and-out, Badgers redshirt freshman running back Gideon Ituka suffered a frightening injury. After enduring a pair of heavy hits from the Hoosiers’ defense, Ituka lay on the field.
The medical staff brought the cart and backboard onto the field, helping Ituka up and onto the cart. Just before he exited the field with both thumbs up, the Badgers huddled around the cart to support him.
The Hoosiers regained possession but were forced to punt after going three-and-out. However, they forced Smith to fumble on the Badgers’ ensuing drive and had the ball at the Badgers’ 21-yard line.
It took just eight seconds for Indiana to add another touchdown. Mendoza connected with Riley Nowakowski, who played the last five seasons at Wisconsin. The sixth-year senior tight end broke two tackles on the way to a touchdown, as the Hoosiers led by 17.
Mendoza tossed his fourth touchdown of the day, setting the program record for the most passing touchdowns in a single season with 30. He surpassed former Hoosier signal caller Kurtis Rourke, who set the mark in his lone season in Bloomington in 2024.
Mendoza finished the contest 22 for 24 for 299 yards passing and four touchdowns. Becker led the Hoosiers in receiving with five catches for 108 yards and a score.
The Hoosiers (11-0 overall, 8-0 Big Ten) now enter their second bye week ahead of their regular-season finale at Purdue on Nov. 28.
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.
