When the Hoosiers walked off the field in South Bend just about a year ago after falling to Notre Dame 27-17 in the College Football Playoff the goal for 2025 was clear. IU had to get bigger and tougher on the offensive line. Maybe they knew that the center for the Irish, Pat Coogan, would be the key piece to IU’s run in 2025. When Coogan visited IU, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti issued a challenge.
“I think that one of the first things coach Cig(netti) said to me when he called me when I was in the transfer portal was (that) he needed a guy that can shine in those big moments.” Coogan said as the Hoosiers prepare for the Rose Bowl.
While the job is not finished yet, the returns that Indiana received from Coogan and fellow transfer offensive lineman Kahlil Benson has turned IU’s offensive line from very good in 2024, to elite in 2025. The Hoosiers offensive line is one of three units up for the Joe Moore Award, for the nation’s top offensive line.
“I think we all believe in each other, and we all believe in Coach (Bob) Bostad and Coach (Derek) Owings and their plans for us. They put in a tremendous amount of work during the week to put us in a chance to be successful. At the end of the day, they] just give us a chance, right. All you can ask for is a chance on Saturday, in the box, to be able to have success.” Coogan said of the success of the unit he helps lead.
The Hoosiers offensive line has allowed the Hoosiers to accomplish all of their goals so far. Big win on the road against a top six opponent? Check. Undefeated regular season? Check. Show that IU can hang with the big boys? Check. Big Ten Championship? Check. Help the quarterback win the Heisman Trophy? Check.
There are a lot of boxes checked off on the list for the 2025 Hoosiers, and much of that is because they improved the offensive line. However, the job is not finished yet.
“I know the type of mindset we have, the type of mentality we have. We all know that we have a we have a ton left to play for. We all know that.” Coogan said. “Saturday was a huge step for us. Saturday was a huge moment for us, and a historic moment for us. But we also know it’s not the end of the road for us. We know we have a ton left to play for, and really at the end of the day, all of our goals are still in front of us. You know, that was a huge goal for us, and we accomplished that goal, being Big Ten champions, but we got another one ahead of us. We got to take these next three and a half weeks, or however long it is and find those inches of improvement, find those ways to improve and ultimately better our best. So come January 1, we have the best ability to go out there and and have success.”
The Hoosiers’ next item to check off the list comes on January 1st when they head out to the Rose Bowl to take on either Alabama or Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.