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No. 19 Indiana Crushes No. 9 Illinois 63-10 in Big Ten Rout

Fernando Mendoza’s five-touchdown efficiency and a relentless Indiana pass rush turned a top-25 showcase into a resounding statement for the Hoosiers.

Lee Beebe Jr. #29 of the Indiana Hoosiers reacts after a touchdown during the NCAA game between the Indiana Hoosiers and Kennesaw State Owls at Memorial Stadium on September 6, 2025 in Bloomington, Indiana.
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Overview

  • Indiana struck first when D’Angelo Ponds blocked a punt and returned it 11 yards for a touchdown to set the tone in Bloomington.
  • Quarterback Fernando Mendoza went 21-of-23 for 267 yards with five scoring throws, while Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. combined for three receiving touchdowns.
  • Indiana’s defense recorded seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss, holding Illinois to three rushing yards in the first half and stifling Luke Altmeyer’s offense.
  • The 63-10 result was the largest defeat of Bret Bielema’s Illinois tenure, worsened by secondary absences and the ejection of captain Miles Scott for targeting.
  • Indiana improved to 4-0 (1-0 Big Ten) and extended its home winning streak to 12 in its first top-10 win in five years, as Illinois fell to 3-1 with USC up next; the game’s kickoff was delayed about 20 minutes and, per local reports, shifted from NBC to Peacock after a weather delay in Notre Dame–Purdue.