Indiana Offense Preview 2025: The Hoosiers Reloaded

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 4:25 AM ET

The 2023 Indiana offense was 99th in the nation overall, averaged 22.2 points per game, and converted just 38% of its third down chances.

And last year after offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan took over?

It was 34th in the nation, second in scoring, and was 13th in third down conversions, hitting 47% of its tries. The attack can and should keep rolling, but …

Indiana Hoosiers Preview 2025: Offense

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2025 Indiana Preview
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Season Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season

- Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza has to be fantastic. Kurtis Rourke came in from Ohio and was the perfect fit, throwing for over 3,000 yards with 29 touchdowns and just five picks.

Mendoza threw for over 3,000 yards with 16 touchdowns last year at Cal, hitting 69% of his passes. Grant Wilson (Old Dominion) and Fernando’s brother, Alberto, will battle for the backup gig this fall.

- The receiving corps gets its star back. Elijah Sarratt was a monster at James Madison, came over with the coaching staff, and led the team with 53 catches, averaging over 18 yards per pop with eight scores.

No. 2 man Omar Cooper averaged over 21 yards per catch with seven scores, and Fernando Mendoza’s guy, Jonathan Brady (Cal), will take over a spot after making 98 catches with ten scores in three years - two at New Mexico State, and one in Berkeley.

The Hoosiers nailed the portal at tight end. The combination of Holden Staes (Tennessee) and Riley Nowakowski (Wisconsin) will be strong.

- The transfer portal might make the line even better than the 2024 version. Carter Smith is back at left tackle, and one of the guard jobs is fine between Bray Lynch and Drew Evans, depending on the health of Evans. The other three spots will be fantastic.

The Hoosiers got Pat Coogan (Notre Dame) to step in and take over at center. Khalil Benson (Colorado) will work into the guard mix, and Zen Michalski (Ohio State) should shine at right tackle.

- Leading rusher Justice Ellison is gone, but Kaelon Black did a decent job when he got a chance.

Roman Hemby (Maryland) ran for 2,347 yards and 22 touchdowns in three seasons with the Terps, and he caught 111 passes with five scores over the last two years. Lee Beebe (UAB) ran for 884 yards and seven touchdowns, and caught 30 passes, in 2024.

Indiana Defense Breakdown
2025 Indiana Preview
Season Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season

This article first appeared on College Football News and was syndicated with permission.

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