Indiana Football Season Hits a Low with 38-10 Loss to Western Illinois

Hoosiers Suffer Historic Defeat

The Indiana Hoosiers football team experienced a historic low on Saturday, September 17, 2023, as they suffered a humiliating 38-10 loss to the Western Illinois Leathernecks. This marks the first time in program history that the Hoosiers have lost to an FCS opponent.

Head Coach Curt Cignetti Expresses Disappointment

Head coach Curt Cignetti was visibly disappointed after the game, stating, "This is a tough one to swallow. We didn't play like ourselves today, and we need to take a hard look in the mirror. We have a lot of work to do, and we need to do it fast."

Hoosiers Defense Struggles

The Hoosiers' defense struggled mightily against the Leathernecks, allowing 465 total yards of offense. Western Illinois quarterback Aidan O'Connell threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Landon Morris rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown.

Offense Fails to Find Rhythm

The Hoosiers' offense was equally ineffective, managing only 238 total yards. Quarterback Connor Bazelak completed just 15 of 32 passes for 175 yards and an interception. The running game was also stifled, as the Hoosiers rushed for only 63 yards on 26 carries.

Next Up: FIU Panthers

The Hoosiers will look to rebound next week when they travel to Miami to face the FIU Panthers. FIU is coming off a 24-17 loss to the UCF Knights and will be looking to snap a two-game losing streak.

The game against FIU will be a crucial test for the Hoosiers, who need to show improvement on both sides of the ball. A loss to FIU would further damage the team's morale and could put Cignetti's job in jeopardy.