Hoosiers tune the engine: IU welcomes unbeaten Sycamores
Indiana State (2–0) at No. 19/22 Indiana (2–0) — Friday, 6:30 p.m. ET (BTN)
BLOOMINGTON — One more non-conference dyno run for Curt Cignetti’s machine before the Big Ten highway. The Hoosiers own the series 7–0 (last meeting 41–7 in 2023) and bring a balanced profile after a 56-point tune-up: high-efficiency QB play, a committee of backs with fresh tread, and a defense that kept red-zone doors locked.
Broadcast / logistics
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TV: BTN — Lisa Byington (pbp), Jared Thomas (analyst), Melanie Ricks (sideline)
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Stream: FOX Sports app
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Radio: IU Football Radio Network
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Kick: 6:30 p.m. ET | Weather: ~84°, sunny, light breeze — ideal for tempo and vertical shots
Gameday timeline (Memorial Stadium):
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12:00 p.m. — Tailgating & parking lots open
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4:00 p.m. — B-Town Boulevard open
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4:05 p.m. — The Walk & Gameday Rally
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5:00 p.m. — Stadium gates open
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6:00 p.m. — Marching Hundred pregame
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6:30 p.m. — Kickoff vs. Indiana State
Scouting report & keys
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QB rhythm & reads: Transfer Fernando Mendoza has been hyper-efficient (18-of-25, 4 TD last week), distributing to Elijah Sarratt, E.J. Williams, and the jet-motion crew. Keep the RPO/quick game crisp early; use shot plays once the safeties step forward.
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Trenches tilt: IU’s line has paved lanes for an RB room featuring Roman Hemby, Lee Beebe Jr. (burst) and Kaelon Black. Expect early inside zone to set up counter/pin-pull.
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Special teams spark: Field position was a hidden blowout stat last week—continue flipping the field and watch the scoreboard follow.
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Situational polish: Third-and-medium and low red zone are the lab today—finish drives, rep your goal-line menu, and rotate cleanly.
Coaches’ ledger: Cignetti is 132–37 in year 15 as a head coach (13–2 at IU). Curt Mallory enters at 26–55 (ninth season) with a disciplined Sycamore front that will test IU’s protection rules early. One more oil change, then conference road—keep the RPMs steady and the execution smooth.