The Indiana Hoosiers have been nothing short of dominant this season, steamrolling opponents week after week. They’ve already scored 50 or more points in five of their nine games, and only twice have they dipped below the 30-point mark. With an astounding 418-97 scoring margin, Indiana leads the nation in scoring offense, averaging 46.4 points per game, and ranks third in scoring defense, giving up just 10.78 points per contest.
A major part of that success starts up front. The Hoosiers’ offensive line has been relentless, opening gaping holes for the run game — including a season-high 367 rushing yards in last Saturday’s 55-10 dismantling of Maryland. But even with those eye-popping numbers, center Pat Coogan believes the group still hasn’t hit its ceiling.
“Technique-wise, a lot of sloppy hands and sloppy technique that didn’t really show how we truly are,” Coogan said Tuesday. “So, we got to get back to basics and really get back to playing with great technique and hand placement.”
Despite their dominant performance, Indiana’s offense started slower than usual against Maryland, and that’s something Coogan doesn’t want to see repeated. As one of the team’s vocal leaders, he’s determined to hold himself and his teammates to a championship standard — because he’s seen what that looks like before.
Coogan transferred to Indiana this offseason after playing at Notre Dame, where he experienced the highs and heartbreaks of a National Championship run. That perspective has given him a clear understanding of what separates good teams from great ones — and he sees that same potential brewing in Bloomington.
“The ability to take each day as its own, the ability to build on each day and week, the ability to — even though you may have won on Saturday — [keep] building and getting better each and every week,” Coogan said. “No matter what the score said, knowing there is room to improve. Just the guys in the locker room playing for each other. The offense, 11 is one, really playing for a bigger purpose, bigger than themselves. Really just going out there and fighting for each other.”
Coogan sees all the right qualities in this Indiana team — toughness, unity, and hunger — which made last week’s uneven performance against Maryland sting a little more. The Hoosiers still came away with a blowout win, but mistakes that went unpunished by the Terrapins won’t fly against their next opponent.
“Obviously, everyone knows how challenging playing at their stadium is,” Coogan said, referring to Penn State and the daunting environment at Beaver Stadium. “So, we got to prepare for it, and we got to be ready for it. It’s going to be a big challenge for us.”
And he’s right — it will be. Saturday’s matchup in Happy Valley will mark the largest and possibly loudest crowd Indiana has faced all season. Coogan, who squared off against the Nittany Lions last year while at Notre Dame on the path to the National Championship, knows firsthand that Penn State will capitalize on every mistake.
For Indiana, the key will be composure — staying sharp, disciplined, and focused when the noise rises and pressure mounts. Coogan believes that if the Hoosiers can execute cleanly and stay true to their identity, their best football is still ahead.
Indiana will take on Penn State at noon on Saturday (Nov. 8) in front of the Big Noon Kickoff crew. It’s not just another game — it’s a statement opportunity. Another chance for the Hoosiers to prove that their dominance isn’t a fluke, and that they can rise even higher when the lights shine brightest.