BREAKING: In a stunning display of dominance, No. 19 Indiana crushed No. 9 Illinois 63-10 on September 30, 2023, in Bloomington, marking the Hoosiers’ first victory over a top 10 opponent in five years. This shocking defeat is the most lopsided win in Indiana’s history against a ranked team.
Indiana’s quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw an impressive five touchdown passes and completed 21 of 23 attempts for 267 yards, while D’Angelo Ponds made headlines by returning a blocked punt for an 11-yard touchdown, setting the tone for the game. The Hoosiers (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) extended their home winning streak to 12 games under coach Curt Cignetti.
The game started explosively with Ponds’ blocked punt return, and Indiana never looked back, quickly establishing a commanding 35-10 lead by halftime. Mendoza achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the first Hoosier to throw for five or more touchdowns in multiple games within three quarters.
Illinois (3-1, 0-1) struggled throughout, with quarterback Luke Altmeyer facing relentless pressure, resulting in a staggering seven sacks. Altmeyer completed 14 of 22 passes for 146 yards and threw one interception, while the Illini’s only significant scores came from a 59-yard touchdown pass to Collin Dixon and a 46-yard field goal.
This defeat marks the worst loss of coach Bret Bielema‘s tenure at Illinois, raising serious questions about the team’s performance after last week’s lackluster showing. Altmeyer managed only two catches for 13 yards from receiver Hank Beatty, failing to convert on opportunities.
In a game marred by injuries, Illinois began without defensive back Xanai Scott and lost team captain Miles Scott to a targeting penalty early in the second quarter. The absence of key players severely hampered their defensive strategies.
Next Up: Illinois will aim to bounce back when they host USC next Saturday, while Indiana will hit the road for their first away game of the season against Iowa.
This decisive victory for Indiana not only questions Illinois’ ranking but also signals the Hoosiers’ potential to rise in the upcoming Associated Press Top 25. Fans and analysts are eager to see how these teams will respond in their upcoming matchups.
