How Did Indiana Have One of the Most Historic Football Seasons in History?

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Indiana’s 2024 season surprised many, as the Hoosiers went 11-1 en route to a playoff appearance. Entering the 2025 season, the Hoosiers were written off, projected to end with an 8-4 record. The consensus was that the Hoosiers’ playoff appearance was a fluke. They couldn’t have been more wrong.

Old Dominion, Kennasaw State and Indiana State

The first three games of the year, all played at home, did not show us much about what this team was. A 27-14 win against Old Dominion to open the season left Hoosier fans wondering whether the doubters might be right. Little did they know, the Monarchs would go on to have an impressive 9-3 season, proving doubters wrong themselves.

The next two games were blowout wins against Kennasaw State, 56-9, and Indiana State, 73-0. Though the Hoosiers won these games easily, this did not prove much about what this Indiana team was to fans.

#9 Illinois

The Illinois game was a highly anticipated matchup, and many analysts picked Illinois to win this game outright. The Hoosiers started quickly with a blocked punt and touchdown by D’Angelo Ponds. The Ilini responded quickly with a touchdown, tying the game.

After that one score, it was a Hoosier takeover for the rest of the game, with the final score being 63-10. This game changed the way some people viewed Indiana, with many considering them a championship contender immediately. Others still had doubts, considering that maybe Illinois was just overrated.

At Iowa

The away matchup at Kinnick Stadium proved to be a challenge for the Hoosiers. Trailing in the 4th quarter to a skilled Iowa team, Indiana narrowly won the game with an Elijah Sarratt touchdown with under two minutes remaining, beating the Hawkeyes 20-15.

This was a notable game for the Hoosiers because it showed how they play when their back is against the wall. A win in a difficult Iowa environment showed a lot about the resilience of this team.

At #3 Oregon

Entering a road matchup against the Oregon Ducks as a 10.5-point underdog, Indiana continued to be doubted by many. Oregon, thus far, had looked like an extremely good team, with an undefeated record and a reputation as a certain playoff team. Indiana, while also undefeated, with good wins, was still seen as a team that could actually win it all.

In a back-and-forth matchup at Autzen Stadium, the Hoosiers came out on top, pulling away in the fourth quarter for a 30-20 win. This win is what silenced all doubt and showed that the Indiana Hoosiers were a championship contender.

Michigan State, UCLA and at Maryland

These three conference games further strengthened Hoosier fans’ confidence in their team, with back-to-back-to-back blowout wins. 38-13 against Michigan State, 56-6 against UCLA, and 55-10 against Maryland. As Indiana entered a matchup against a struggling Penn State team, fans were positive.

At Penn State

The Hooisers faced off against a Penn State team that had just fired its head coach, James Franklin, after losing multiple games. As the game commenced, Indiana started off strong, holding a 20-7 lead at the start of the third quarter.

The Nittany Lions began a strong comeback, however, taking the lead in the fourth. The game ultimately ended with a stunning toe-tap catch by Omar Cooper Jr. with seconds remaining on the clock, securing a 27-24 win for the Hoosiers. Many refer to that touchdown as the catch of the year.

Wisconsin and at Purdue

Easy wins for the Hoosiers solidify their first undefeated regular season in school history, beating the Wisconsin Badgers 31-7 and dominating their in-state rival, Purdue 56-3, to advance to the Big Ten Championship.

Ohio State – Big Ten Championship

In a highly anticipated matchup, the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers took on the undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship. The Buckeyes were able to solidify a small lead going into halftime, but multiple missed field goals and a Sarrat touchdown solidified a win for Indiana.

A highly defensive matchup gave the Hoosiers their first Big Ten Championship since 1967, with a final score of 13-10.

Alabama – CFP Quarterfinal

Entering this Big Ten vs SEC Rose Bowl matchup, some doubt had once again emerged for the Hoosiers. Before this game, the three other teams with a bye had lost, proving that a month off could be more of a negative than a positive for some teams. Unlike these other teams, Curt Ciginetti had his players prepared, dominating Alabama 38-3.

Oregon – CFP Semifinal

Indiana faced Oregon in a highly anticipated rematch in the College Football Playoff Semifinal, with a spot in the national championship on the line. The Hoosiers controlled the game, leaving no doubt, winning 56-22.

The win sent Indiana to the national championship game and further proved that the Hoosiers belonged on college football’s biggest stage.

Miami- CFP National Championship

The Indiana Hoosiers faced the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff National Championship, looking to complete one of the most improbable runs in college football history. In an intense matchup, Indiana controlled the pace of the game and made the key plays late, pulling away in the fourth quarter.

The win secured Indiana’s first national championship in program history and cemented the Hoosiers as the best team in college football.

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