Indiana University Football Passes Ohio State, now No. 4 in the polls Indiana football moved up in the polls following its 55-0 victory over Howard on Saturday. The Hoosiers are ranked No. 4 in both the AP Top-25 and the Coaches Poll released Sunday afternoon. The move up follows previous No. 1 Ohio State’s loss at Texas. The three teams ranked ahead of Indiana in both polls in order, are: Texas, Georgia and Notre Dame. IU received three first place-votes in the latest AP poll and 10 in the coaches poll. They are now the top-ranked Big Ten team in both polls. Other Big Ten teams ranked in the AP Top 25 include: No. 6 Ohio State, No. 12 USC, No. 14 Penn State, No. 18 Iowa, No. 19 Michigan, and No. 21 Oregon. In addition, these Big Ten schools received votes, but did not crack the AP poll this week: Washington and UCLA. Indiana will be back home on Saturday to face Western Kentucky (0-2). Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. Eastern on Peacock/NBC Sports Network.
Indiana University Field Hockey Completes Weekend Sweep with a Win over Ball State Indiana Field Hockey topped Ball State 7-1 on Sunday afternoon at Briner Sports Complex in Muncie. It improves to 4-2 overall in the 2026 campaign. With today’s win, the Hoosiers are sitting at four-straight victories. The Hoosiers found offensive momentum against the Cardinals, boasting 27 shots on goal throughout the game and holding their opponent to just three. The first period of the match started slow for both teams. Indiana went into Cardinal territory early, attempting four shots in two minutes that were all saved by Cardinal goalkeeper Carleigh Hofelich. As play continued to pick up, IU was allotted four penalty corners in the final minutes of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Ball State knocked in the first goal of the game to make it a 1-0 match up. Despite the opponent’s early scoring, Indiana responded by pressing the defense and succeeded in putting three shots in the cage, making the score 3-1 going into the break.
Third year forward Mijntje Hagen notched the first two goals in the second quarter, with second year forward Celia Arroyo Cabezudo helping with both. First year midfielder Berta Sáenz de Santa Maria and fourth year midfielder Inés Garcia Prado also assisted. Second year forward/midfielder Molly Stutte closed out the first half with a goal of her own. After the break, Stutte continued her streak by opening play with a goal in the 31st minute to put IU up 4-1. In the 38th minute, she followed through on another opportunity in the circle, her third goal of the day and the fifth for IU. Arroyo Cabezudo got her first goal of the day in the third, continuing the scoring momentum the Hoosiers found. It also did not allow Ball State any shots in the third frame as the Hoosiers continued to control both sides of the field. Third year goalkeeper Sadie Canelli kept Ball State from scoring again in the fourth quarter as she saved both shots made by the Cardinals. Hagen completed the match for IU with a goal in the 59th minute. First year forward Agustina Gamonal attempted a shot in the final minute of the game as well, but it was saved by the opposing keeper.
The 7-1 score is the largest margin of victory since Sep.12, 2025. It is also the largest win against Ball State all-time, with the pair meeting 25 times. IU had a season high of 36 shots overall, with ten Hoosiers adding to the total. Stutte had the most attempts with eight and set her career record of three goals in a single match. The Cream and Crimson also had a season high of 17 corners in the match. IU opens up Big Ten play next weekend in Iowa City, Iowa. It will play Iowa on Friday, Sep. 18 at 6 p.m. and again on Sunday, Sep. 20 at 1 p.m. The second match will be a non-conference matchup.
IU Football’s Blowout of Howard gave reps to one of Cignetti’s top “team players” Grant Wilson Games against FCS opponents provide opportunities for players unlikely to see the field as the season progresses. And that gives the head coach a chance to reward culture guys who toil behind the scenes and rarely play. IU coach Curt Cignetti agreed before kickoff to shorten Indiana’s game against Howard to 55 minutes. But with the Hoosiers up 41-0 at halftime, there was still plenty of time to put in one of his favorites, backup quarterback Grant Wilson. A transfer from Old Dominion ahead of the 2025 season, Wilson came to IU with an eye on becoming a coach. And what better staff for him to learn from? The Arlington, Virginia product competed with Alberto Mendoza for snaps a year ago and eventually became the third-stringer. But over the course of that 16-0 national championship season, Wilson became an invaluable asset in a quarterback room that included the eventual Heisman Trophy winner.
Due to a redshirt year, COVID year and medical hardship waiver, Wilson found a path for a seventh year of college and second year at IU. Cignetti was more than happy to welcome back Wilson to his locker room for the additional season. “He’s as good a team player as we have on the team, which was huge in getting him back,” Cignetti said following Indiana’s 55-0 win over Howard. “Besides having an experienced backup quarterback. “You know, he probably wants to coach when he’s done and it looked like that’s where he was heading until things evolved and the opportunity to come back was presented to him. Thankfully he accepted.” Wilson threw just two passes against Howard, but both went for touchdowns. He also ran twice for six yards, adding to his rushing total from week one when he found the end zone on a 43-yard scamper against North Texas. “It’s been a long journey, my whole career,” Wilson said. “It led me to this moment right here with coach Cig and this this team. I love it. I love football so much and it was just a blessing out there today.”
Both the rushing and passing touchdowns were Wilson’s first since arriving in Bloomington. At Old Dominion Wilson competed against Cignetti’s James Madison teams. He’s humbled to learn Cignetti holds him in such high regard. “I know my role,” Wilson said. “I try to be the best teammate I can be, whether that’s in the quarterback room, on the sidelines, helping the guys out on scout, anything I can do to make this team better. That’s the role. I embrace it every single day. I just love being here. Love being a part of the team. And, you know, whatever I can do to help the team win is my number one opportunity and choice.”
Wilson is next man up should anything happen to Josh Hoover, and the IU starter took some hits Saturday that made that possibility seem a bit too real for the head coach. “He had a couple that he’s going to want back,” Cignetti said of Hoover’s decisions that left him exposed to open field tackles. The action on Saturday, some of it with the starters, helps Wilson feel better prepared should his number ever get called. “It’s huge,” Wilson said. “Just being out there with the guys, especially the one offensive line, talking to them in the huddle, being a part of their group. Practice is different. You don’t get touched. So, feeling that rush, you get a little bit of enthusiasm, gives you a little bit of excitement, but settles you in really.”
Have you ever seen a college football game that was less than 60 minutes? It appears to be a new trend in mismatch games like Saturday. “That’s gone on a couple times this year in I think two other games, and it was mentioned would I be for that before the game by the officials — in case (the score made it makes sense),” Cignetti said. “I said yes. Then I brought it up to the official, and end of the third quarter, he went and asked the opposing coach and he was for it also.”
Derrick Henry rushes for 3 TDs as the Indianapolis Colts fall to the Baltimore Ravens 41-23 in home opener Derrick Henry ran for three touchdowns to move into third on the NFL’s career list, Lamar Jackson threw for 324 yards and a TD and rushed for a score, and the Baltimore Ravens beat the Indianapolis Colts 41-23 on Sunday. The Ravens improved to 13-6 in openers since 2008 and have topped the 20-point mark in their last 10, the league’s longest active streak. Henry had 24 carries for 144 yards, his 56th 100-yard game and his eighth with three or more TD runs. Henry has 125 career rushing TDs, two more than Hall of Famer Marcus Allen. Jackson went 17 of 25 for 324 yards, 229 of those in the first half. Zay Flowers caught five passes for 150 yards before halftime, including a 54-yard catch-and-run for a score. Flowers did not play in the second half because of a hamstring injury.
Indy lost its 11th opener in 13 years. Daniel Jones was 19 of 31 for 166 yards with a TD and an interception in his first game since tearing his right Achilles tendon in December. Jonathan Taylor ran 19 times for 98 yards and two touchdowns. He also lost a fumble. The Ravens started fast under new coach Jesse Minter. After Taylor opened the game with a 1-yard TD run, Baltimore answered with Jackson’s 5-yard scoring run, Henry’s 4-yard TD run, Flowers’ TD reception and Henry’s 32-yard touchdown run to make it 28-6. Indy could never catch up. Taylor answered with a 3-yard TD run late in the first half. The Ravens closed out the half with Tyler Loop’s 57-yard field goal to make it 31-13 — the fifth time in franchise history they scored at least 31 points in the first half. Spencer Shrader made a 58-yard field goal in the third quarter to get Indy within 31-16. But Henry’s 3-yard scoring run with 12:46 left sealed it.
Zay Flowers was ruled out during the third quarter, and it wasn’t the only big hit to the receiving corps. Ja’Kobi Lane injured a wrist and did not return. CB Marlon Humphrey left briefly in the fourth quarter with what appeared to be a right leg injury. CB T.J. Tampa Jr. did not return after hurting his knee in the first quarter. Indy appeared to avoid any significant injuries. The Colts will travel to Kansas City for a matchup with the Chiefs Next Sunday Night.
US wins fifth straight women’s FIBA World Cup title beating France 97-79 Breanna Stewart and the U.S. faced a stiff challenge from France before dominating in the second half to win its fifth consecutive women’s FIBA World Cup. The 97-79 victory extended the Americans’ streak to 36 straight World Cup wins, dating to the semifinals of the 2006 World Cup, where they lost to Russia. The U.S. improved to 9-0 in gold-medal games since finishing second in 1983 to the Soviet Union. Despite the final score, this one wasn’t easy; the Americans faced their biggest deficit in the tournament in a long time, trailing by 14 points in the first half. They calmly rallied behind Stewart and Jackie Young to get within two at halftime, and Caitlin Clark hit a 3-pointer just before the buzzer.
The U.S. dominated in the second half, starting the third quarter with a 11-2 run to go up 54-47. Stewart, who has now four World Cup titles to her name, had four points during the game-changing burst. Stewart, who was named the tournament MVP, finished with 22 points and Young with 18. France was able to get within 55-51, but the Americans used a 16-3 spurt that included France being called for two unsportsmanlike fouls on the same play. The Americans were up 73-57 heading into the fourth quarter, and France never was able to close the gap. This was the second-youngest team the Americans have sent to a World Cup. There were many newcomers on the roster including Clark, Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers, who were getting their first experience with the national team. But it was the veterans who carried the team to the victory.
The Americans had looked more vulnerable in this tournament than at any time during their remarkable run. A three-point win over Italy in pool play was the closest a team has come to the U.S. in group stage in 50 years. The 10-point victory over Spain was the closest semifinal contest during the streak. The Americans had been winning by an average of 26 points over the past four medal-round games. None of that matter in the end as the Americans finished the same way they had the previous four World Cup tournaments — as champions. The loss nevertheless gave France its best finish ever in the event. The French were hoping for the top prize after they came close against the U.S. in the 2024 Paris Olympic gold-medal game two years ago. That one-point loss still stung two years later.
Dominique Malonga scored 21 points and Gabby Williams added 20 for France. France got off to a strong start. The U.S. trailed 20-17 after the first quarter and the French scored the first 11 points of the second, capped by Williams’ 3-pointer, to take a 31-17 lead. But the Americans rallied and trailed 45-43 at the half on Clark’s 3 just before the buzzer. Spain topped host Germany to win the bronze medal.
University of Texas Student from Indiana makes $1.2 million kick before Ohio State game and pledges half to Indy charity An Indiana native got the chance to kick a field goal worth $1.2 million ahead of the showdown between Ohio State Buckeyes and Texas Longhorns. Connor Kacena-Merrell, who is from Zionsville and graduated from Park Tudor High School, got the chance on ESPN’s College Gameday, where Pat McAfee and Kirk Herbstreit give a student a chance to make a field goal for a massive prize in their “Kicking is Easy” segment. Kacena-Merrell pledged to donate half the money to Building Tomorrow, an Indiana nonprofit focused on strengthening education across Sub-Saharan Africa.
His first attempt was for $1 million, which would have meant $500,000 for Kacena-Merrell and $500,000 for the charity. But the kick missed the mark. However, McAfee and Herbstreit, alongside renowned actor Matthew McConaughey, who is a well-known fan of the Longhorns, gave him another chance. McConaughey and Herbstreit even pledged another $100,000 each to the prize, bring the total on the line to $1.2 million. And Kacena-Merrell nailed it. He’ll get $600,000, while Building Tomorrow— which bases its global office in Indianapolis— will get the other $600,000.
U.S. women top Spain 76-66 to reach the FIBA World Cup final against France Breanna Stewart scored 16 points and Kahleah Copper added 13 to help the U.S. beat Spain 76-66 on Saturday, advancing to the championship game of the women’s FIBA World Cup. The Americans will face France in a rematch of the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal game that the U.S. won by a point. The U.S. has won 35 straight games in the World Cup going back to a loss to Russia in the semifinals in 2006. Now the Americans are one win away from a fifth consecutive tournament title. That would match the former Soviet Union for the most consecutive championships. After cruising through their past two games, the U.S. struggled against Spain as the Americans couldn’t get any flow on offense.
The game was tied at 58 to start the fourth quarter before the Americans scored 12 of the first 14 points to take a 70-60 lead — their biggest of the game with 5:20 left. Spain could only get within eight the rest of the way. The U.S. spent a lot of the game at the foul line, making 27 of 35. This was the first meeting in the World Cup between the teams since the U.S. topped Spain for the gold medal in the 2014 tournament. That was Stewart’s debut with the national team. Spain started out hot early, scoring nine of the first 10 points of the game. That was the largest deficit the Americans had faced in this tournament, topping the three points they trailed Italy by in that 55-52 victory. It was 16-9 before the U.S. newcomers entered the game and helped close the period with a 12-2 run.
The Americans though couldn’t really extend that lead much in the second quarter. They couldn’t get into any offensive flow as Spain was playing a physical defense that resulted in foul after foul being called. The U.S. took 27 free throws in the first half, making 19 of them, while the team had 26 field-goal attempts total. The U.S. led 39-36 at the break. Spain, which will play host Germany in the bronze medal game on Sunday, wouldn’t go away.