Behind Enemy Lines: Indiana Edition

After picking up a win on the road last Friday, Iowa returns home on Saturday afternoon to face their toughest test at Kinnick Stadium so far this season. The Hawkeyes host Indiana, who is coming off a flat out dominating performance last Saturday, beating top ten ranked Illinois 63-10.

Let’s get to know more about the Hoosiers this year by going Behind Enemy Lines with Zach Browning, who covers Indiana football for On3.com at The Hoosier.com.

1. Curt Cignetti has kind of taken the Big Ten by storm since he arrived last year. What are your general impression of him as you have covered him at Indiana and how much energy has he brought to a program that has struggled to find consistency over the years?

BROWNING: Curt Cignetti came in right away and energized a fanbase that had been desperate for something to believe in. A lot of his viral moments last season came from that — he knew Indiana fans needed someone to spark a conversation and give them a reason to get fired up about IU football. The bravado he showed, both last year and at times this season, has really been about flipping the mindset of a fanbase that’s grown used to losing. Now, I don’t think Cignetti necessarily wants to be the brazen personality he sometimes shows with the media, but he is undeniably confident. Ultimately, his track record speaks for itself: he wins everywhere he goes. He truly believed he could bring that same success to Indiana — maybe not quite this quickly, but certainly at a high level. His confidence in his process and the way he operates has been a big part of Indiana’s transformation.

2. Fernando Mendoza was a quarterback that Iowa looked at a bit in the portal. How do you think he has performed so far for the Hoosiers and what is his style of play?

BROWNING: It’s tough to say Fernando Mendoza has done anything short of impressing in his time at Indiana. He’s gotten better every single week, and it all came together with a dominant, Heisman-caliber performance against Illinois. He’s passed every test so far and continues trending upward. At his best, Mendoza stands tall in the pocket and delivers darts with elite arm talent to a very strong receiving corps. There really isn’t a throw he can’t make, and every game he has at least a couple of passes that remind you why he’s already being talked about as a potential first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. While I wouldn’t call him a big-time runner, he is functionally athletic. He can slide around the pocket, escape pressure and pick up a first down with his legs when needed — but that’s not his preferred way of moving the offense. His scrambling is a tool, but his arm is the real weapon.

3. Indiana comes into this game averaging an incredible 54.8 points per game and just hung 63 on a pretty solid Illinois team. What make this offense so explosive and who are a couple of players that Iowa fans need to be aware of on Saturday?

BROWNING: Offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan deserves a lot of credit for what Indiana has built. Whether it’s been Kurtis Rourke last year or now Fernando Mendoza, and even with some rotation at the skill positions, Shanahan has produced elite offenses in back-to-back seasons. The balance is what makes them so dangerous — they can throw for 400 yards and five touchdowns, or they can pound you on the ground for 300-plus yards, which they’ve already shown in all four games this season. They’re just so efficient at everything they do.

Beyond Mendoza, running backs Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black form a terrific one-two punch. They can grind out a tough yard or break off explosive runs. Out wide, Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper have been outstanding, making the case that they’re one of the best receiving duos in the Big Ten — if not the country. And then you have E.J. Williams, who is about as good of a No. 3 option as you’ll find anywhere in the league. Even tight end Riley Nowakowski, who’s known more for blocking, has been schemed into big moments, including taking a screen 40 yards for a touchdown against Illinois. Shanahan keeps defenses on their heels because there’s no single way to stop this group.

4. While a lot of the attention is focused on the offense, the Hoosiers are only allowing 8.3 points per game so far this year. What can you tell us about the style of defense and a few players to watch this weekend?

BROWNING: Indiana’s defense is all about being fast, physical, and relentless. That’s been the mantra since Cignetti arrived, and this group embodies it every time they take the field. They’re aggressive, athletic and they love to pressure quarterbacks with creative blitz looks. If there’s been a weak spot, it’s at safety, where they’ve given up a handful of explosive plays.

Still, this unit has stars. Edge rusher Mikail Kamara hasn’t filled the box score yet, but advanced numbers love him and he draws constant double teams that open things up for others. Linebacker Aiden Fisher is the heartbeat of the defense — a true leader both physically and mentally. In the secondary, D’Angelo Ponds has emerged as one of the best corners in the country. He’s already shown his playmaking ability this season, including blocking a punt in which he scored against Illinois.

5. This game could come down to a special teams play or two. How is the kicking and return games for the Hoosiers this year?

BROWNING: Indiana has been very reliable on special teams. Brendan Franke, their kickoff specialist, has been excellent at eliminating returns by consistently driving the ball into the end zone. Nicolas Radicic, the placekicker, has been nearly automatic in his two years — he’s 99-for-99 on extra points in that span and has only missed one kick overall. He’s already 3-for-3 on field goals this year after going 14-for-15 last season.

In the return game, Jonathan Brady is dangerous. He already has a punt return touchdown this year and his production stacks up well with some of the best in the league. Indiana has also been one of the most consistent teams in the country when it comes to blocking punts over the past few years, so that’s always something to watch. I wouldn’t expect many kickoff returns from them, but they’re solid across the board and capable of making a game-changing play.

6. What are a couple of keys for Indiana when things are going well or not so well that could decide the game and how do you see it playing out on Saturday? 

BROWNING: For Indiana, it always starts in the trenches. Offensively, they’re at their best when they establish the run and protect Fernando Mendoza, giving him the time and balance to operate. Defensively, their havoc creation is key. Just last week against Illinois, they racked up seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss, completely disrupting the game. When they dominate up front, it can mask some of their weaknesses in the secondary.

If Indiana wants to be taken seriously as a College Football Playoff contender, these are the types of games they have to handle. On paper, Iowa probably isn’t as strong as the Illinois team Indiana just dismantled, but everyone knows Kinnick Stadium is a different challenge. That said, it’s hard to bet against a team that just beat a top-10 opponent by seven touchdowns, held them to two rushing yards, and had more sacks than they allowed first downs. Right now, Indiana looks like a team fully capable of rising to that moment.