Venue & Broadcast
Location: Memorial Stadium (a.k.a. “The Rock”), Bloomington, Indiana
Kickoff: 6:30 PM ET
Surface: FieldTurf
Capacity: ~52,626
Broadcast: Big Ten Network (national)
Weather Outlook (early-week forecast)
Temperature at kickoff: ~79°F (26°C)
Conditions: Mostly clear skies, light south wind (4–7 mph)
Precipitation chance: <10%
Impact: Ideal offensive conditions — minimal wind disruption for passing/kicking games.
Injury & Availability Report
(FBS/FCS programs release official injury reports closer to game day — monitor late-week updates)
Indiana State: No confirmed starters ruled out; QB rotation healthy, RB Plez Lawrence and WR Larry Stephens available after strong starts.
Indiana: No major injuries reported; QB Fernando Mendoza and RB Roman Hemby healthy after blowout win over Kennesaw State.
Key Note: Both teams expected to be near full strength barring late-week scratches.
Recent Form
Indiana State Sycamores:
W 41–24 vs. McKendree — overcame slow first half with three unanswered TDs in the third quarter.
W 38–14 vs. Eastern Illinois — jumped out to 17–0 halftime lead, scored in all four quarters.
Strength: Balanced offense, multiple rushing threats, opportunistic defense.
#23 Indiana Hoosiers:
W 27–14 vs. Old Dominion — steady offense, strong second-half defense.
W 56–9 vs. Kennesaw State — 593 total yards, 300+ rushing yards for second straight game.
Strength: Dominant run game, efficient QB play, deep WR corps.
Series History
All-time: Indiana leads 7–0.
Last Meeting: 2014 — Indiana won 28–10 in Bloomington.
Trend: Hoosiers have scored 28+ points in every meeting.
Key Player Matchups
QB Duel:
Indiana State — Elijah Owens / Keegan Patterson: Dual-QB system; Owens adds rushing threat, Patterson efficient passer.
Indiana — Fernando Mendoza: 438 pass yds, 5 TDs in two games; also a red-zone rushing option.
Ground Game:
ISU RB Plez Lawrence: 133 rush yds, 2 TD vs. McKendree; also a receiving threat.
IU RB Roman Hemby: 134 rush yds, 1 TD vs. Kennesaw State; part of a deep backfield rotation.
Defensive Edge:
Indiana’s front seven vs. ISU OL — Hoosiers’ size and depth could disrupt Sycamores’ run game.
Betting Trends
Indiana is 5-2 ATS in last 7 home games vs. non-conference opponents.
Indiana State is 4-1 ATS in last 5 road games vs. FBS teams.
Last 3 Indiana home openers have gone Over the total.
Hoosiers have covered in 5 of last 7 games vs. in-state opponents.
Game Odds
Indiana State Sycamores 55.5
Indiana Hoosiers – 27.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Thursday, September 11, 2025
