After parting ways with Tom Allen, Indiana made a splashy hire by bringing in Curt Cignetti from James Madison for the 2024 season, and the program benefitted immediately. Cignetti brought with him a large contingent of Dukes and also hit the transfer portal hard for a complete roster overhaul ahead of the 2024 season. After losing many key pieces from last year’s squad, Cignetti is attempting to achieve the same success with another large batch of transfer additions.
Here’s a look at Indiana as the 2025 season draws closer.
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2024 in review
Indiana’s Mike Katic (56) and the Hoosiers hoist the bucket after the Indiana versus Purdue football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
In his first year at the helm, Cignetti led the Hoosiers to their first 10-win season in program history and added an 11th win for good measure. His unprecedented success led to Indiana’s first College Football Playoff appearance, which ended with a loss to Notre Dame. Though he benefited from a soft schedule, the success can’t be overlooked.
Head coach profile
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti watches the second half of a game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in South Bend. Notre Dame defeated Indiana 27-17.
Cignetti famously told a reporter “It’s pretty simple – I win. Google me” after being hired at Indiana before the 2024 season. He did just that, taking the Hoosiers to historic sights. Prior to that, Cignetti was the head coach at James Madison for five seasons. In his first season, he led the Dukes to an FCS title game appearance followed by a semifinal appearance the year after. When James Madison transitioned to the Sun Belt to join the FBS ranks, it went 8-3 and won a share of the division championship before improving to 11-2 the following year despite being ineligible for the Sun Belt title game.
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Top offensive player
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) passes during the Indiana football spring game at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
After finding success with transfer quarterback Kurtis Rourke last season, the Hoosiers brought in Fernando Mendoza from Cal, who figures to be one of their top offensive players in 2025. Mendoza was ranked as the No. 4 quarterback transfer by 247Sports and threw for over 3,000 yards at a 68.7% clip with 16 touchdowns to six interceptions.
Top defensive players
Indiana’s Mikail Kamara (6) celebraters during the Indiana versus Michigan football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Nov. 9, 2024.
Edge rusher Mikail Kamara likely would’ve been drafted this offseason had he declared, but he opted to return for a second season at Indiana and fourth with Curt Cignetti after following the head coach from James Madison. Kamara recorded 10 sacks last season, fourth most in the Big Ten and most among returning players. Additionally, cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, another former Duke, was a first-team All-Big Ten selection last year and is a first-round hopeful after recording 55 tackles and three picks last season.
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2025 schedule
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Sept. 6 vs. Kennesaw State
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Sept. 12 (Fri.) vs. Indiana State
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Oct. 18 vs Michigan State
The Hoosiers will visit Happy Valley in early November for their first trip to Beaver Stadium since a 33-24 loss in 2023. Penn State has won the last three matchups and 25 of 27 total matchups, but Indiana’s most recent win came on Michael Penix’s infamous walk-off two-point conversion at the pylon in 2020. Both teams will serve as a major benchmark for the other, and the loser of this game may be knocked out of the playoff picture as a result.
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This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Scouting the Indiana Hoosiers ahead of 2025
