The Indiana Hoosiers opened their 2025 campaign with a gritty 27-14 win over Old Dominion, leaning heavily on a defense that refused to break. While the offense struggled to find rhythm at times, Indiana’s secondary stole the spotlight, stuffing the Monarchs’ passing attack and swinging momentum with game-changing plays.
The Hoosiers’ defensive backs were relentless, combining for nine solo tackles, two pass breakups, three interceptions, and a tackle for loss. Old Dominion quarterback Colton Joseph never found his footing, finishing with just 96 yards through the air on 11-of-22 passing.
“I think I’ve got to see those on tape again,” head coach Curt Cignetti said after the game, “but we’ve got guys back here that have good ball skills, and a couple of those were deflected balls, too, I think. And they were big plays in the game. So, Ponds, Sharpe, Ferrell – Ferrell is a really good player. And we got Boykin from NC State, and Louis Moore – we’ve got a lot of experience. Every week’s a new challenge. That was a different offense because of the way they spread you out and the ability of the quarterback to run the ball, but those plays were game changers, there’s no doubt.”
Cignetti wasn’t the only one impressed. The Hoosiers’ secondary was so dominant that even Old Dominion seemed hesitant to throw by the end of the night. “We didn’t think they were going to throw the ball anymore after the third pick,” said Amare Ferrell, who came away with one of Indiana’s interceptions – the other two were made by D’Angelo Ponds & Louis Moore. Ferrell admitted he had one regret about the play, laughing as he told reporters, “I wish I would’ve scored on it, but I didn’t really see the other player right there.”
Ferrell is everything a coach could want in a safety: explosive agility, imposing size, elite ball skills, and a fearless physical presence. Now a junior, he’s embraced a leadership role in Indiana’s secondary, bringing stability and swagger to a group that has quickly forged strong chemistry despite several new faces. With this being his second year in the system and third with the Hoosiers, Ferrell has become a vocal leader, helping set the tone for a unit that thrives on trust and communication.
“The communication was definitely great,” Ferrell said. “We built that communication through spring, through summer, through everything to make sure the communication was good. Today I feel like we did a good job, but still room for improvement.”
That communication has been crucial, especially as Indiana faces lingering questions about its depth in the defensive backfield. Freshman standout Byron Baldwin Jr., a Shaun Alexander Award preseason watch list selection, was ruled out before kickoff with an injury. Things only got more concerning during the game when veteran safety Bryson Bonds exited with an apparent knee injury, later seen on the sideline with a brace and crutches.
Louis Moore’s eligibility battle with the NCAA remains unresolved, leaving uncertainty over how much the veteran safety will contribute this season. That adds even more pressure to a safety group that is undeniably talented but extremely young. Redshirt freshman Jah Jah Boyd and true freshman Garrett Reese could see their roles expand quickly, and Indiana may even need to shuffle some cornerbacks into hybrid “rover” looks to compensate. The inexperience is a challenge, but Saturday’s performance showed flashes of potential — and the group will need to grow up fast with Kennesaw State looming.
“We knew facing this quarterback was going to be a challenge,” Ferrell told reporters. “We knew he could run, and that was our biggest focus. But, like I said, we just have to clean up our mistakes when we watch film tomorrow, and everything will be good.”
Those mistakes were few but glaring, and both belonged to Old Dominion quarterback Colton Joseph. He electrified the game’s opening moments with a 75-yard dash on the Monarchs’ first possession, silencing Memorial Stadium early. Indiana eventually settled in, but Joseph struck again in the fourth quarter with a 78-yard touchdown run, finishing with a staggering 179 rushing yards. The Hoosiers still left with the win, but those two plays served as a humbling reminder that this defense — as strong as it looked — is still a work in progress.
“I wouldn’t overcomplicate it,” Coach Cignetti said postgame. “In fact, they were running clock in the second quarter trying to shorten the game there the last seven and a half minutes of the second quarter. So, they didn’t get much done except for two missed assignments which led to big plays. And the quarterback’s fast.”
Those two explosive touchdown runs will be teaching points in practice this week, but beyond those lapses, Indiana’s defense turned in a commanding performance. Ferrell admitted frustration over giving up those scores but made it clear there’s no reason to panic. The Hoosiers handled business, earned the win, and now have a chance to tighten the screws before Week 2.
While the opener wasn’t as polished as some fans hoped, it echoed last year’s Week 1 performance against FIU — a shaky start that preceded rapid improvement. With talent, experience, and a ball-hawking secondary, this defense has all the tools to dominate. If Saturday was any indication, the Hoosiers are just getting started.