Last week, Curt Cignetti became the first Indiana coach since 2017 to win his debut. He’s looking to make it two straight Friday night when struggling Western Illinois visits Bloomington, Ind.
The Leathernecks have lost 25 consecutive games — the longest losing streak in Division I football, FBS or FCS. Their last win came on Oct. 30, 2021, and their last road win was on Sept. 25, 2021.
A short week might not help Indiana clean up all of its mistakes in a 31-7 opening win over Florida International, but a 2-0 record would do wonders for a program that won only nine times over the last three seasons.
Time/TV: 6 p.m., BTN.
Line: None.
Series: First meeting.
Key matchup
Indiana’s ground game vs. Western Illinois’ run defense
Newcomers Ty Son Lawton, Justice Ellison and Elijah Green ran for a total of 222 yards and three scores against FIU as Indiana produced its highest single-game rushing total (234 yards) since November 2022. If the Leathernecks don’t improve after allowing 312 rushing yards, 7.6 yards per carry and three touchdowns last week at Northern Illinois, expect another long night.
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Players to watch
WIU: DB Willie Jones. The fourth-year player who started his career at Bowling Green and had 19 tackles in 11 games last season nearly matched that total with 13 tackles in the opener. He faces a more daunting challenge against the Hoosiers.
Indiana: QB Kurtis Rourke. The former Ohio star had a promising start to his Hoosiers career, throwing for 180 yards and a touchdown while demonstrating he can extend plays with his feet. Cignetti wants to see more consistency from Rourke this week.
Facts & figures
The matchup features two first-year coaches in Cignetti and Joe Davis. … WIU left the Missouri Valley Football Conference this year and is now part of the Big South-Ohio Valley Football Association. … Indiana has won 14 consecutive games against FCS foes and is 17-1 all time against FCS teams. … Seven of the Leathernecks’ last eight losses have come by 39 or more points. … LB Aidan Fisher, one of 13 players who followed Cignetti from James Madison to Indiana, had an impressive first week with 12 tackles, two for a loss and one sack. … QB Nathan Lamb was 17 of 29 with 204 yards and a touchdown in his first start for WIU.
