Quick thoughts on IU football’s 20-15 win against Iowa at Kinnick Stadium in front of 69,250 fans:
Three key plays in IU’s win
Ferrell’s interception sets up Mendoza’s touchdown pass to Cooper Jr.
The Hoosiers were able to silence the Iowa crowd early in the first quarter with an interception that led to a quick score.
Defensive back Amare Ferrell intercepted Mark Gronowski’s pass intended for Dayton Howard less than 45 seconds into the game.
Two plays later, Fernando Mendoza found Omar Cooper Jr. with a 14-yard touchdown pass to put IU on the board first.
Late first half drive leads to field goal to tie the game at halftime
After its offense produced meager results for the remainder of the first half, the Hoosiers made the most out of their final possession in the second quarter.
Following an Iowa drive that ended with a Gronowski three-yard touchdown rush, the Hoosiers got the ball with just 22 seconds to play before halftime.
Starting from the 35-yard line, Roman Hemby’s 16-yard rush got the IU drive off to a positive start. On the following play, a Mendoza 16-yard pass to Elijah Sarratt was extended an extra 15 yards due to a roughing the passer penalty.
That put IU in field goal range and Nico Radicic converted a 46-yard field goal to tie the game at 10 at halftime.
Mendoza finds Sarratt for game-winning touchdown
After Drew Stevens missed a 42-yard field goal that would have given Iowa a three-point lead with just over two minutes to play, the Hoosiers needed less than 30 seconds to go four plays and 76 yards for a touchdown.
Mendoza found Sarratt at the Iowa 42 with a pass over the middle and Sarratt took it the rest of the way for the go-ahead score.
It was a moment of redemption for Mendoza, who threw his first interception of the season on IU’s previous possession.
A STUNNER. Indiana’s two minute offense comes up BIG. ? pic.twitter.com/4TKFdyfMcv
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 27, 2025
A huge game for Sarratt
It was a quiet afternoon offensively for Indiana compared to a week ago, but IU’s go-to wide receiver made the most of his six catches.
Sarratt had 132 receiving yards, which included the aforementioned game-winning touchdown reception.
IU’s defense limits Iowa’s rushing attack
The Hawkeyes entered Saturday afternoon with 10 rushing touchdowns and an average of 200.5 rushing yards per game.
The IU defense stifled the Iowa ground game, limiting the Hawkeyes to just 92 rushing yards on 31 attempts.
Iowa managed just three yards per carry after entering the game with an average of 4.7 through its first four games.
What’s next for the Hoosiers
Indiana is idle next week with its first of two bye weeks during the regular season.
The 5-0 Hoosiers will return to action against Oregon in Eugene on Saturday, October 11.
You know what to do. pic.twitter.com/FwhWR1UYwz
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) September 27, 2025
(Photo credit: IU Athletics)
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