Quick thoughts on IU football’s 55-10 win against Maryland at SECU Stadium:
Key roles in IU’s victory
Mendoza’s seven-yard touchdown run stabilizes IU after a slow start
After IU’s first two drives ended in an interception and a punt, the IU offense got going on the third drive of the opening quarter.
Fernando Mendoza’s 7-yard run capped a 13-play, 93-yard drive and put the Hoosiers up 7-3 with 2:18 left in the opening quarter.
Out of a set of five wide outs, Maryland’s defense wasn’t expecting Mendoza’s run. The Heisman contender walked into the end zone untouched behind center Pat Coogan.
Mendoza takes care of it himself @Indianafootball pipe!
?: CBS pic.twitter.com/7xpdRZYoEj
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 1, 2025
Interception stops Maryland drive and leads to IU field goal
As Maryland threatened on a drive deep into IU territory, Mikail Kamara pressured freshman quarterback Malik Washington, leading to an interception by Kaiden Turner on the first play of the second quarter.
The Hoosiers were able to capitalize with a 20-yard field goal by Nicolas Radicic with 10:30 left before halftime. Maryland’s defense stuffed IU in the red zone on a third-and-short play and Curt Cignetti opted for the field goal and points instead of going for it on fourth down.
On the drive to set up the field goal, Charlie Becker’s 52-yard catch and run was instrumental in getting the Hoosiers deep into Maryland territory.
Another interception sets up an 84-yard touchdown drive and gives IU a two-score lead
Louis Moore’s fifth interception of the season gave the Hoosiers possession at their own 16-yard line with 9:33 to play in the second quarter.
Nine plays later, Mendoza found Omar Cooper Jr. for a 22-yard touchdown pass, putting the Hoosiers up 17-3.
It was Mendoza’s 25th touchdown pass of the season and the eighth touchdown reception for Cooper.
“PICKED BY LOUIS MOORE!” ??@Indianafootball ball?
?: CBS pic.twitter.com/y5iEHw6TuN
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 1, 2025
Run game fuels third touchdown drive
Maryland kept things interesting early in the second half with a 55-yard touchdown pass from Washington to DeJuan Williams to make it 20-10.
But IU’s running game had an answer on the ensuing drive. Kaelon Black finished a 63-yard drive for the Hoosiers with a 31-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to three scores at 27-10.
Roman Hemby had two carries for 11 yards on the drive and Black had three carries for 44 yards.
Boykin’s strip and score puts the Terps ahead in the third quarter
The Hoosiers quickly put the game away on Maryland’s next drive.
On third and one, Devan Boykin stripped Washington, grabbed the ball and carried it 32 yards to the end zone.
That play put the Hoosiers up 34-10 and the game out of reach, sealing IU’s sixth Big Ten win.
DEVAN BOYKIN DOES IT ALL??
He forces the fumble and returns it for the @Indianafootball TD?
?: CBS pic.twitter.com/YUH66A0gwn
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 1, 2025
Offensive highlights and stats that stand out
Fernando Mendoza threw for 201 yards and a touchdown to go with a rushing touchdown.
Kaelon Black carried the ball 14 times for 110 yards and a touchdown and Roman Hemby carried 18 times for 88 yards and a touchdown. Khobie Martin had 11 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown.
Omar Cooper Jr. had seven catches for 86 yards and a touchdown.
The Hoosiers dominated the ground game, rushing for 367 yards and an average of 7.1 yards per carry.
Defensive highlights and stats that stand out
Devan Boykin finished with four tackles and also had the strip and score. Byron Baldwin Jr. also had a forced fumble and recovery.
Louis Moore and Kaiden Turner each had an interception. Rolijah Hardy led the Hoosiers with six tackles.
IU stifled Maryland’s running game, as the Terps managed just 37 yards on 17 carries.
What’s next for the Hoosiers
Indiana is back in action next Saturday at Beaver Stadium against Penn State. The Nittany Lions are 3-5 overall, 0-5 in the Big Ten and lost 38-14 at Ohio State on Saturday. The kick-off time and a TV indication will be announced on Sunday.
(Photo credit: Connecting Hoosiers)
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