Indiana Football continues its remarkable run under head coach Curt Cignetti. Despite a few early miscues on both sides of the ball, the Hoosiers turned in another commanding performance. For the first time in program history, Indiana has opened 9-0 in back-to-back seasons — just the second 9-0 start ever.
In their first road matchup since a double-digit win over Oregon, the Hoosiers faced a Maryland team that led the nation in average turnover margin per game (1.57). But that stat didn’t hold up against Indiana’s relentless defense. The Hoosiers dismantled the Terrapins 55–10 in a statement victory.
Indiana’s defense was nothing short of sensational, wreaking havoc on nearly every Maryland possession. They absoluted dominated in turnovers Saturday afternoon — a point of pride for Cignetti. “At the end of the day, the defense created five turnovers,” Cignetti said postgame. “This was the number one team in the country in turnover ratio going into the game.”
Coming into the matchup, Maryland had been one of the most disciplined teams in the nation when it came to ball security, boasting a +11 turnover margin. The Terrapins had forced 16 turnovers while only giving the ball away five times all season. They looked poised to continue that trend early, capitalizing on an interception from quarterback Fernando Mendoza that set them up in the red zone. But Indiana’s defense stood tall, forcing Maryland to settle for a field goal — a small but telling moment that showcased the team’s trust and resilience.
“When I see Bones [Isaiah Jones] go out there for defense, I trust with my full heart that they’re going to go get a stop,” Mendoza said after the game. “And if they don’t, I know that they might get punched in the face one drive, but the next drive they’re going to knock those guys out.”
That confidence paid off. Indiana converted five Maryland turnovers into 24 points, capitalizing on every opportunity their defense created. Linebacker Kaiden Turner jumpstarted the momentum with a key interception early in the second quarter, and just a drive later, safety Louis Moore snagged one of his own — setting the tone for a defensive clinic.
When the second half began, Maryland struck quickly with a 55-yard touchdown — a gut punch to open the third quarter. But instead of folding, Indiana’s defense responded with fire. The Hoosiers locked in, determined to outwork the Terrapins, and what followed was a defensive masterclass in resilience and execution.
Indiana’s offense immediately answered, storming down the field for a touchdown. On Maryland’s next possession, defensive back Devan Boykin stripped quarterback Malik Washington, scooped the loose ball, and sprinted 32 yards to the end zone for the score. Just one snap later, Maryland coughed it up again — this time, cornerback Jamari Sharpe forced a fumble from wide receiver Octavian Smith, and true freshman Byron Baldwin Jr. pounced on it. The Hoosiers’ offense capitalized once more with another score, putting the game completely out of reach.
And just for good measure, Indiana added one final exclamation point in the closing minute when Jah Jah Boyd jarred the ball loose and Garrett Reese recovered it — a fitting end to a night ruled by chaos and crimson.
Indiana was a turnover machine, finishing with a +4 margin and forcing five takeaways while surrendering just one of their own. The Hoosiers now lead all Power Four teams in turnover margin at +12 on the season. Beyond the turnovers, their run defense was suffocating — holding Maryland to just 37 yards on 17 attempts (a 2.2-yard average). Through nine games, Indiana has allowed only two second-half touchdowns and seven total offensive touchdowns. The numbers speak for themselves: this defense is elite.
While their play has been tremendous, star edge rusher Mikail Kamara even admitted that last year’s breakout season affected how he saw other opponents, but he and the team have their sights set much higher in 2025.
“I let that kind of get to my head a little bit,” Kamara said. “[But] now we have a different goal. Last year we’re [transfers] new to the Big Ten, we didn’t really know what to expect. But now it’s about winning the championship. It’s about winning the Big Ten Championship and then trying to win a Natty. We understand every single week [that] we have to attack it like it’s any other game.”
This Indiana team isn’t the same group from 2024. Cignetti’s Hoosiers have proven they’re no one-year wonder — they’re built to compete with anyone in the country. The road ahead won’t be easy, but this team’s mentality is as strong as its defense.
Next up, Indiana heads east again for a clash in Happy Valley against Penn State. The Nittany Lions have faced major setbacks this season, parting ways with head coach James Franklin and losing quarterback Drew Allar to a season-ending injury. But in college football, nothing comes easy — and Beaver Stadium’s noise will be another test. Still, if the Hoosiers continue to play their brand of complementary, disciplined football, there’s every reason to believe they’ll silence yet another crowd.