Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) passes to E.J. Williams Jr. (7) throughout the Indiana versus Michigan State soccer recreation at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. In accordance with Indiana coach Curt Cignetti, the second-ranked Hoosiers aren’t opposing a 3-4 UCLA staff this week in Bloomington, Ind.
“I imply, we’re enjoying a 3-0 soccer staff this Saturday at midday,” he mentioned.
It is true that the Bruins (3-4, 3-1 Huge Ten) have been a a lot completely different staff since interim coach Tim Skipper took over final month. A 20-17 house win over Maryland final week was their third straight victory, a streak that began with a shocking victory over then-No. 7 Penn State after Skipper misplaced his first recreation in cost.
Nonetheless, it is also true that Indiana (7-0, 4-0) is at a distinct degree from the groups UCLA has been beating currently. The Hoosiers preserve proving it week after week, climbing to their highest-ever ballot rating after a 38-13 drilling of Michigan State final week.
The same old suspects had been at work for Indiana, led by quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The Cal switch accomplished 24 of 28 passes for 332 yards and 4 touchdowns, zeroing in totally on Omar Cooper Jr., who had eight receptions for 115 yards and a rating.
The Hoosiers additionally did what they normally do — cease the run and play a clear recreation. They allowed solely 74 yards on the bottom and had been flagged simply as soon as for five yards. They have not been penalized greater than 45 yards in any recreation this yr.
“You need them to play quick. You need them to play bodily. You wish to be relentless,” Cignetti mentioned of his gamers. “However you bought to be sensible. You bought to make decisions and selections out on the soccer area, proper? You by no means need a rise in these penalties.”
The one issues growing for Indiana underneath Cignetti are factors and wins. Mendoza is enjoying at a Heisman Trophy degree, finishing 73.5% of his passes for 1,755 yards with 21 touchdowns and solely two interceptions. The Hoosiers’ common of 43.9 factors per recreation is tied for fourth within the nation.
This matchup would have been seen as a snoozer by most till the Bruins’ sudden surge. Regardless of that, Indiana is a three-touchdown-plus favourite.
Nonetheless, the play of Tennessee switch Nico Iamaleava offers UCLA the proverbial puncher’s likelihood towards anybody. Iamaleava threw for 221 yards, one landing two interceptions towards Maryland. He led a last-minute drive that culminated in Mateen Bhaghani’s game-winning 23-yard area aim with two seconds left.
Skipper mentioned on Monday he wasn’t positive about Iamaleava’s standing after the quarterback emerged postgame with ice on his knee. Nonetheless, the interim coach is for certain about what his staff has to do at Indiana, no matter who can or cannot play.
“We have got to play a clear recreation and win the conditions,” he mentioned. “There’s all the time going to be important conditions come up, and we’ve to win these.”
Iamaleava is finishing 65.2% of his passes for 1,355 yards with 10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, and he leads the staff in dashing with 360 yards and 4 scores. Kwazi Gilmer has 30 receptions, one shy of his complete from final yr as a freshman.
The Hoosiers cruised to a 42-13 win final yr in Pasadena, Calif., within the packages’ first-ever assembly.
–Subject Degree Media
