FOOTBALL GAMEDAY: Northwestern (Week 4) - Indiana University Athletics

Setting The Scene

• Indiana will open Big Ten play with a home game against Northwestern in Week 4 on Friday (Sept. 25) on Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana. The game will stream on FOX.
• Northwestern leads the all-time series between the conference foes, 47-36-1, but Indiana has won the previous two meetings, including a 41-24 victory in Evanston in 2024.
• This will be Indiana's 15th Friday game in program history and marks the fifth consecutive season with a Friday game. The Hoosiers own a 9-5 record on Friday nights. MORE ON PAGE 5
• The home contest marks the fourth of eight home games for the Hoosiers on Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium this season and the final of four in a row to start the 2026 ledger.

News & Notes

• Curt Cignetti reached 30 wins in his first 32 games as a Power 4 head coach, which is the third-fastest in college football history. Only Larry Coker (Miami (Fla.), 2001-03) and Gil Dobie (Washington, 1908-12) reached the mark faster - both doing so in 31 games.
•Indiana posted its 13th game under Cignetti with at least 500 yards of total offense in Week 3 against Western Kentucky (9/19) when it totaled 513 yards.
• Indiana's two rushing scores against Western Kentucky marks 26 multi-rushing touchdown games since the start of 2024 (32 games).
• Indiana posted back-to-back shutouts (Howard, 55-0; Western Kentucky, 38-0) for the first time since 1993 (at Northwestern, 24-0; Michigan State, 10-0). It is just the third time (1993, 1958) IU has back-to-back shutouts in the modern era of the Big Ten (1953-present).
• The Hoosiers won time of possession for the 23rd time in 32 games under Cignetti against the Hilltoppers.
• Josh Hoover had two passing touchdowns in Week 3 against Western Kentucky (9/19). The two scores marked five-straight games with two or more touchdown passes dating back to his time at TCU in 2025. MORE ON PAGE 7
• Turbo Richard charted back-to-back weeks with over 100 yards rushing against the Hilltoppers when he totaled 149 yards rushing on 15 carries with a touchdown. MORE ON PAGE 8
• Lee Beebe Jr. ran for two touchdowns for his first multi-touchdown game as a Hoosier and the fifth of his career. MORE ON PAGE 8
• Charlie Becker had a career-long 79-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against Western Kentucky as part of a a career-high 127 yards receiving. His score made it three consecutive weeks with a touchdown. MORE ON PAGE 9
• With his sixth touchdown reception of the season against Western Kentucky, Becker set the standard for most receiving scores through the first three games of a season in program history.
• Becker and Davion Chandler are two of eight - 10 occurrences - with at least one touchdown in the first three games of a season in program history. They join Kofi Hughes, 2013; Shane Wynn, 2012; Ted Bolser, 2010; James Hardy, 2007 & 2005; Ernie Jones, 1987; Jade Butcher, 1969 & 1967.
• Nick Marsh is among the FBS leaders in consecutive games with a reception. He has caught a pass in 26-straight games dating back to his time at Michigan State (2024-25). MORE ON PAGE 5
• With Isaiah Jones' interception against Western Kentucky, the Indiana defense has forced at least one turnover in 12 straight games dating back to 2025 and the 28th time in 32 games under defensive coordinator Bryant Haines.

GAME 4

Setting The Scene

News & Notes

Week 4 Links

#5/4 Indiana 29, Northwestern 23