Thursday Takeaways: Purdue
11/25/2021 9:00:00 AM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – As Indiana football prepares to take on Purdue in a battle for the Old Oaken Bucket on Saturday (Nov. 27), the Hoosiers talked to the media throughout the week and below are quotes from seniors Peyton Hendershot, Cam Jones, and Micah McFadden.
Below is a partial transcript of the media sessions, while video of the full media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Peyton Hendershot | Sr.-R | TE
On the Indiana/Purdue rivalry...
PH: [Mark] Deal spoke to the whole team today and I think he did a great job talking about it. There are two things when you think about our rivalry game [with Purdue], it is personal, and it is passionate. There is a lot of passion, and it has to be personal to you. For me, it is real personal. Back in the recruiting process with Coach [Jeff] Brohm got there he started recruiting me after the Indiana staff [changed], so I was kind of in between. Being from Indiana there was no way I could [decommit] from Indiana. Back then, I even shut down Purdue immediately and stayed with Indiana. It has been like that for four or five years now.
On how he became an Indiana fan growing up...
PH: My mom's whole family is from Indiana and, really, just growing up ever since I was younger [I was an Indiana fan]. Especially since I was a basketball player, so everybody loved IU basketball, so growing up I was just always an Indiana Hoosier.
On his career at Indiana...
PH: I mean, no matter, I would do it all again. Every day I would choose to be an Indiana Hoosier again. I have met so many people here and it has been the biggest blessing ever. I never thought I would be a team captain and that has been one of the biggest things for me. To be able to be a captain of this team, and the season didn't go how we wanted it to, but the bonds and the relationships you have built with all of your brothers is what this program is all about.
Cam Jones | Sr. | LB
On playing next to Micah McFadden...
CJ: It has been amazing. Just the type of guy he is and how he carries himself, the energy he brings, the leadership he brings has been amazing. It has been a long ride, though. I remember when we first walked in here we were so young and we were like, 'what are we going to eat today?' Now, it is like we are gearing up for the next game. It has been amazing. I love that guy and it is a brotherhood that will last forever.
On his decision to come to Indiana and what that journey has been like...
CJ: [The bond we have as a team] is very important. As you know, we have faced a lot of adversity and Coach Allen said you have to finish. This game to me is more than just a game. It is about history. We are playing for people that came through IU [before us] and stepped on that field. It is a great opportunity for this team, and we are excited about it. I can't wait.
On if he has any memories from his first years at IU...
CJ: I can remember coming in [the football complex] and it was our first snow. We got snowed in. It was me, Micah [McFadden], Aaron Casey, and James Miller. We were in the indoor working out on a Friday night, maybe, about 10 o'clock or 11 o'clock at night and we walked out and it was snowing. We had to walk backwards [so we didn't fall]. We were parked [outside the north end zone] at the stadium and we just lived across the street, but we couldn't even drive. I just remember nights like those that we were just grinding and the long nights that nobody really knows about.
Micah McFadden | Sr. | LB
On the Indiana/Purdue rivalry...
MM: It means a lot. Being here four years now, it is the biggest game of the year. Everybody in this whole state gets excited for this game and we definitely do, as well. There was some excitement this morning in our team meeting, and I think guys are fired up and ready to go.
On what a win over Purdue would mean for the program...
MM: It would mean so much. I think keeping The Bucket here would turn the tide for our season and the feeling to finish it off the right way and keep The Bucket in Bloomington would definitely change the vibe of the season right now.
On playing next to Cam Jones the last four years...
MM: That is my brother right there. I really enjoy [being around him]. We have had a few years together and this year it has all kind of come together for me and him in our communication on the field and how hard we want to play for this team. I truly enjoy waking up every day, coming to practice and getting to play in the game with that guy.
Below is a partial transcript of the media sessions, while video of the full media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Peyton Hendershot | Sr.-R | TE
On the Indiana/Purdue rivalry...
PH: [Mark] Deal spoke to the whole team today and I think he did a great job talking about it. There are two things when you think about our rivalry game [with Purdue], it is personal, and it is passionate. There is a lot of passion, and it has to be personal to you. For me, it is real personal. Back in the recruiting process with Coach [Jeff] Brohm got there he started recruiting me after the Indiana staff [changed], so I was kind of in between. Being from Indiana there was no way I could [decommit] from Indiana. Back then, I even shut down Purdue immediately and stayed with Indiana. It has been like that for four or five years now.
On how he became an Indiana fan growing up...
PH: My mom's whole family is from Indiana and, really, just growing up ever since I was younger [I was an Indiana fan]. Especially since I was a basketball player, so everybody loved IU basketball, so growing up I was just always an Indiana Hoosier.
On his career at Indiana...
PH: I mean, no matter, I would do it all again. Every day I would choose to be an Indiana Hoosier again. I have met so many people here and it has been the biggest blessing ever. I never thought I would be a team captain and that has been one of the biggest things for me. To be able to be a captain of this team, and the season didn't go how we wanted it to, but the bonds and the relationships you have built with all of your brothers is what this program is all about.
Cam Jones | Sr. | LB
On playing next to Micah McFadden...
CJ: It has been amazing. Just the type of guy he is and how he carries himself, the energy he brings, the leadership he brings has been amazing. It has been a long ride, though. I remember when we first walked in here we were so young and we were like, 'what are we going to eat today?' Now, it is like we are gearing up for the next game. It has been amazing. I love that guy and it is a brotherhood that will last forever.
On his decision to come to Indiana and what that journey has been like...
CJ: [The bond we have as a team] is very important. As you know, we have faced a lot of adversity and Coach Allen said you have to finish. This game to me is more than just a game. It is about history. We are playing for people that came through IU [before us] and stepped on that field. It is a great opportunity for this team, and we are excited about it. I can't wait.
On if he has any memories from his first years at IU...
CJ: I can remember coming in [the football complex] and it was our first snow. We got snowed in. It was me, Micah [McFadden], Aaron Casey, and James Miller. We were in the indoor working out on a Friday night, maybe, about 10 o'clock or 11 o'clock at night and we walked out and it was snowing. We had to walk backwards [so we didn't fall]. We were parked [outside the north end zone] at the stadium and we just lived across the street, but we couldn't even drive. I just remember nights like those that we were just grinding and the long nights that nobody really knows about.
Micah McFadden | Sr. | LB
On the Indiana/Purdue rivalry...
MM: It means a lot. Being here four years now, it is the biggest game of the year. Everybody in this whole state gets excited for this game and we definitely do, as well. There was some excitement this morning in our team meeting, and I think guys are fired up and ready to go.
On what a win over Purdue would mean for the program...
MM: It would mean so much. I think keeping The Bucket here would turn the tide for our season and the feeling to finish it off the right way and keep The Bucket in Bloomington would definitely change the vibe of the season right now.
On playing next to Cam Jones the last four years...
MM: That is my brother right there. I really enjoy [being around him]. We have had a few years together and this year it has all kind of come together for me and him in our communication on the field and how hard we want to play for this team. I truly enjoy waking up every day, coming to practice and getting to play in the game with that guy.
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
LB
/ Football
LB
/ FootballFB: Fernando Mendoza - Illinois Postgame Press Conference (09/20/25)
Sunday, September 21
FB: D’Angelo Ponds - Illinois Postgame Press Conference (09/20/25)
Sunday, September 21
FB: Week 4 (vs. Illinois) - Curt Cignett Post Game Press Conference
Saturday, September 20
FB: Inside IU Football with Curt Cignetti - Week 4 (Illinois)
Thursday, September 18