IDS Sports

In photos:

Perfect Season

Indiana football’s historic championship run

Fall 2025

Aug. 30

Memorial Stadium

IU

27-14

Old Dominion

193 passing yards

309 rushing yards

30 first downs

A person on a parachute with an IU flag.

Sophia Kaplan | IDS

IU mascot Hoosier the Bison parachutes through the sky before the football game against Old Dominion University on Aug. 30, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Hoosier was reintroduced prior to kickoff of the game.
IU football players celebrate while running into the endzone.

Jimmy Rush | IDS

Senior wide receiver Jonathan Brady runs into the end zone after returning a punt for a touchdown during a football game against Old Dominion University on Aug. 30, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. The play tied the game at 7-7.

Sept. 6

Memorial Stadium

IU

56-9

Kennesaw State

280 passing yards

313 rushing yards

28 first downs

Two IU football players holding each other while looking at one another.

Sophia Kaplan | IDS

Redshirt junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza celebrates with senior wide receiver Elijah Sarratt after Sarratt's touchdown Sept. 6 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Sarratt scored three touchdowns during the game.

Sept. 12

Memorial Stadium

IU

73-0

Indiana State

280 passing yards

313 rushing yards

28 first downs

IU football player runs into the endzone with a football in his arms.

Briana Pace | IDS

Senior wide receiver Jonathan Brady scores a touchdown in the game against Indiana State University on Sept. 12, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Brady scored two touchdowns in the game.
Iu football player prepares to throw a football while surrounded by ISU football players.

Briana Pace | IDS

Redshirt junior Fernando Mendoza looks to throw the ball during the game against Indiana State University on Sept. 12, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Mendoza passed five touchdowns in the game.

Sept. 20

Memorial Stadium

IU

63-10

Illinois

267 passing yards

312 rushing yards

31 first downs

IU footballer runs into an end zone while looking at the stands.

Briana Pace | IDS

Redshirt senior running back Kaelon Black runs into the end zone during the game against Illinois on Sept. 20, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Black had one touchdown in the game.
Fans in the stadium stands shaking their hair and spraying water.

Briana Pace | IDS

IU football fans celebrate in the rain during the game against Illinois on Sept. 20, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. ESPN reported 56,088 people in attendance.

Sept. 27

Kinnick Stadium

IU

20-15

Iowa

280 passing yards

313 rushing yards

28 first downs

IU football player throws a football.

Briana Pace | IDS

Redshirt junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza passes the ball during the game against Iowa on Sept. 27, 2025, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Mendoza passed 233 yards in the game.
IU football player chases after a defended Iowa football player who is holding the football.

Briana Pace | IDS

Redshirt senior defensive lineman Mikail Kamara runs alongside Iowa's sophomore quarterback Hank Brown during the game Sep. 27, 2025, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Kamara had two total tackles in the game.

Oct. 11

Autzen Stadium

IU

30-20

Oregon

280 passing yards

313 rushing yards

28 first downs

IU football quarterback holds his hands up ready to catch the snap football.

Sophia Kaplan | IDS

Redshirt junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza catches the snap during the game against Oregon on Oct. 11, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. Mendoza had 31 pass attempts in the game.
IU fans yell in the stands while holding a cream and crimson IU flag.

Sophia Kaplan | IDS

Hoosier fans shout during the final moments of the game against Oregon at Autzen Stadium on Oct. 11, 2025, in Eugene, Oregon. Fans flooded to the front rows of the stands in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
IU football player runs with a football in his hand while being chased by and Oregon football player.

Sophia Kaplan | IDS

Senior wide receiver Elijah Sarratt runs the ball against Oregon on Oct. 11, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. Sarratt scored one touchdown for the Hoosiers.

Oct. 18

Memorial Stadium

IU

38-13

Michigan State

332 passing yards

132 rushing yards

24 first downs

Cheerleaders running and holding flags that spell INDIANA.

Sophia Kaplan | IDS

Cheerleaders celebrate a touchdown against Michigan State on Oct. 18, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Severe weather delayed the game for about a half hour at halftime.
IU football player runs through defenders while carrying a football.

Lauren McKinney | IDS

Redshirt senior running back Kaelon Black runs past defenders during the game against Michigan State on Oct. 18, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Black had 64 rushing yards and one touchdown in the game.
IU footballer lands in the endzone while being tackled by three defenders.

Sophia Kaplan | IDS

Redshirt senior wide receiver E.J. WIlliams Jr. scores the first touchdown during the game against Michigan State on Oct. 18, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Williams made a touchdown in the first quarter.

Oct. 25

Memorial Stadium

IU

56-6

UCLA

213 passing yards

262 rushing yards

27 first downs

An IU football player being held up in the air by another IU football player.

Sophia Kaplan | IDS

Redshirt senior running back Roman Hemby celebrates with redshirt junior offensive lineman Carter Smith during the game against UCLA Oct. 25, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Hemby had 81 rushing yards during the game.
Curt Cignetti stands with his hands on his hips.

Lauren McKinney | IDS

IU football head coach Curt Cignetti looks toward the crowd during the game against UCLA on Oct. 25, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Indiana had an 18-point lead at halftime.

Nov. 1

SECU Stadium

IU

55-10

Maryland

280 passing yards

313 rushing yards

28 first downs

Nov. 8

Beaver Stadium

IU

27-24

Penn State

218 passing yards

108 rushing yards

0 turnovers

The football lays on the field while a Penn State football player pushes an IU football player who is tackling another Penn State football player.

Lauren McKinney | IDS

Senior linebacker Aiden Fisher causes an incomplete pass during the game against Penn State on Nov. 8, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Fisher had nine tackles in the game.
An IU football player lunges to tackle a Penn State football player by the legs.

Lauren McKinney | IDS

Redshirt junior linebacker Isaiah Jones tackles Penn State redshirt junior tight end Andrew Rappleyea during the game against Penn State on Nov. 8, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Jones had five tackles in the game.

Nov. 15

Memorial Stadium

IU

31-7

Wisconsin

267 rushing yards

3 defensive touchdowns

0 turnovers

Jimmy Rush | IDS

Sixth-year senior tight end Riley Nowakowski celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the game against Wisconsin on Nov. 15, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Nowakowski had one touchdown in the game.

Briana Pace | IDS

Redshirt junior wide reciever Omar Cooper Jr. runs out of bounds during the game against Wisconsin on Nov. 15, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Cooper scored one touchdown in the game.

Lauren McKinney | IDS

IU football head coach Curt Cignetti talks to the team during the game against Wisconsin on Nov. 15, 2025, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. Wisconsin's only points came in the second quarter.

Nov. 28

Ross-Ade Stadium

IU

56-3

Purdue

267 rushing yards

3 defensive touchdowns

0 turnovers

Briana Pace | IDS

Senior linebacker Aiden Fisher jumps over Purdue sophomore running back Antonio Harris on Nov. 28, 2025, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. Fisher had five solo tackles in the game.

Lauren McKinney | IDS

Redshirt junior wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. fights for extra yards as a Purdue defender attempts to tackle him Nov. 28, 2025, at Ross–Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. Cooper fought through Purdue’s defense and scored a touchdown in the third quarter.

Jimmy Rush | IDS

Senior linebacker Aiden Fisher and head coach Curt Cignetti smile with the Old Oaken Bucket after the game against Purdue on Nov. 28, 2025, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. The Hoosiers ended the regular season with a 12-0 record for the first time in program history.

Dec. 6

Lucas Oil Stadium

IU

13-10

Ohio State

267 rushing yards

3 defensive touchdowns

0 turnovers

Jimmy Rush | IDS

Redshirt sophomore defensive back Anthony Chung runs out of the tunnel with teammates before the Big Ten Championship game against Ohio State on Dec. 6, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Hoosiers' record became 13-0 with the win.

Jimmy Rush | IDS

Senior wide receiver Elijah Sarratt catches a pass during the Big Ten Championship game against Ohio State on Dec. 6, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Sarratt had three receptions and a touchdown in the game.

Briana Pace | IDS

An IU football fan reacts during the Big Ten Championship game against Ohio State on Dec. 6, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The game's crowd broke the Big Ten Championship attendance record.

Briana Pace | IDS

Redshirt freshman quarterback Alberto Mendoza (right) puts a Big Ten Championship hat on his brother, redshirt junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza (left), after the game Dec. 6, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. A touchdown in the third quarter pushed the Hoosiers ahead of the Buckeyes.

Briana Pace | IDS

Senior linebacker Aiden Fisher (left) and sophomore wide receiver Charlie Becker (right) celebrate the Hoosiers' win over the Buckeyes after the Big Ten Championship game Dec. 6, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Fisher had two solo tackles in the game and Becker had 6 receiving yards.

Jimmy Rush | IDS

Confetti falls as the Hoosiers celebrate a win after the Big Ten Championship game against Ohio State on Dec. 6, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Indiana's win bumped the team up to the No. 1 College Football Playoff ranking.

Jan. 1

Rose Bowl Stadium

IU

38-3

Alabama

267 rushing yards

3 defensive touchdowns

0 turnovers

Sophia Kaplan | IDS

Sophomore wide receiver Charlie Becker makes a catch in the end zone during the CFP quarterfinal game against Alabama on Jan. 1, 2026, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. Becker had one touchdown in the game.

Sophia Kaplan | IDS

Redshirt junior wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. receives a pass during the CFP quarterfinal game against Alabama on Jan. 1, 2026, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. Cooper had 45 yards and one touchdown in the game.

Lauren McKinney | IDS

Redshirt junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza falls with the football during the CFP quarterfinal game against Alabama on Jan. 1, 2026, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. Mendoza had 16 rushing yards in the game.

Lauren McKinney | IDS

Redshirt junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza holds up the Rose Bowl trophy following the CFP quarterfinal game against Alabama on Jan. 1, 2026, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy for the first time in Indiana football history this season.

Jan. 9

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

IU

56-22

Oregon

267 rushing yards

3 defensive touchdowns

0 turnovers

Briana Pace | IDS

Sixth-year senior E.J. Williams Jr. scores a touchdown during the CFP semifinal game against Oregon on Jan. 9, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Williams had 13 receiving yards in the game.

Jimmy Rush | IDS

Redshirt junior wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. jumps to catch a ball during the CFP semifinal game against Oregon on Jan. 9, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Cooper had one touchdown in the game.

Briana Pace | IDS

Sophomore wide receiver Charlie Becker scores a touchdown during the CFP semifinal game against Oregon on Jan. 9, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Becker had 48 receiving yards in the game.

Jimmy Rush | IDS

Sophomore defensive lineman Daniel Ndukwe attempts to block Oregon redshirt sophomore quarterback Dante Moore pass during the CFP semifinal game against Oregon on Jan. 9, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Ndukwe had two sacks in the game.
IU football player holds a trophy in a rain of confetti.

Briana Pace | IDS

Senior wide receiver Elijah Sarratt celebrates winning the CFP semifinal game against Oregon on Jan. 9, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Sarratt scored two touchdowns in the game.

Jan. 19

Hard Rock Stadium

IU

27-21

Miami

267 rushing yards

3 defensive touchdowns

0 turnovers

Briana Pace | IDS

Redshirt junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza lies on the ground after scoring a touchdown during the national championship game against the University of Miami on Jan. 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Mendoza had 186 passing yards in the game.

Jimmy Rush | IDS

Sophomore wide receiver Charlie Becker makes a catch during the national championship game Jan. 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Becker had 65 yards in the game.

Jimmy Rush | IDS

Redshirt senior defensive lineman Mikail Kamara (left) and redshirt junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza (right) point to the camera following their national championship win over Miami on Jan. 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The pair were named the defensive and offensive players of the game.

Briana Pace | IDS

Indiana football players celebrate their national championship win against Miami on Jan. 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It was the first national championship win in the program's history.