Indiana Football vs. Kennesaw State: Hoosiers Aim for 2–0 at Merchants Bank Field

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana football returns home Saturday, Sept. 6, as the No. 23 Hoosiers (1–0) host Kennesaw State (0–1) with a noon kickoff at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium. The matchup brings a familiar face back to Bloomington, as former IU quarterback Dexter Williams II leads the Owls into town looking for their first win of the season.

Indiana enters off a 27–14 victory against Old Dominion. The score was solid, but the performance was mixed, with flashes of dominance alongside lapses that left fans wanting more. Kennesaw State, in just its second year at the FBS level, nearly upset Wake Forest in its opener before falling 10–9, a result that showed toughness and potential from a program still finding its footing.

Hoosiers’ Old Dominion Recap: A Win With Flaws

Indiana leaned on its running game to handle Old Dominion. Roman Hemby rushed for 110 yards and Kaelon Black added 92 yards with a touchdown, giving the Hoosiers a steady punch in the backfield. Jonathan Brady electrified the crowd with a 91-yard punt return for a touchdown that swung momentum after ODU stunned everyone with a 75-yard quarterback run on the game’s first play.

Quarterback Fernando Mendoza managed the offense effectively, throwing for 193 yards on 18 completions and adding a short rushing score. His debut was steady, but far from polished. A number of throws sailed high or came late, leaving red-zone trips unfinished. The play-calling also tilted too conservative near the goal line, which left points on the board.

The defense deserves credit for controlling most of the game. Indiana forced three interceptions and held Old Dominion to under 100 passing yards, consistently winning battles at the line of scrimmage. The two long quarterback runs allowed were glaring mistakes, but aside from that, the defense looked disciplined, physical, and ready to be the team’s backbone.

Kennesaw State: Williams Returns to Bloomington

The Owls arrive with the spotlight squarely on quarterback Dexter Williams II, who began his career at Indiana. Now running Kennesaw State’s offense, Williams showed both his strengths and weaknesses against Wake Forest. He created problems with his legs, breaking free for several long runs, but he struggled with accuracy, completing only 12 of 33 passes for 149 yards.

Running back Coleman Bennett provided a spark with 66 rushing yards and a touchdown. Receiver Gabriel Benyard became Williams’ top target, finishing with five catches for 103 yards, including an explosive deep ball that energized the offense.

Defensively, Kennesaw proved they could punch above their weight. Linebacker Baron Hopson recorded 11 tackles, while Isaac Paul and Milon Jones each added six, helping the Owls hold Wake Forest to just 2.8 yards per carry. The shortfall came on special teams, where a missed extra point and a missed 36-yard field goal proved to be the difference in a one-point loss.

Key Questions for Saturday

Indiana will once again try to impose its ground game, but the Owls showed last week they can defend the run with toughness. Hemby and Black are expected to be featured heavily, while the Hoosiers also need Mendoza to sharpen his timing and accuracy to create more balance. On the other side, Indiana’s defense will have to prove it can contain a mobile quarterback. Williams has the ability to extend plays and punish mistakes, and the Hoosiers cannot afford the breakdowns that allowed Old Dominion’s quarterback to score twice on long runs.

Storylines for Fans

Williams’ return to Bloomington is the headline that will draw eyes, but the larger question for Indiana is how second-year head coach Curt Cignetti can keep his program progressing. The Hoosiers showed grit in week one, but fans will be looking for sharper execution, especially in the passing game and red-zone play-calling. Kennesaw State comes in motivated to show that its fight at Wake Forest was no fluke, making this a chance to test IU’s focus before conference play.

Prediction

Oddsmakers have Indiana favored by more than five touchdowns, setting the line at 35.5 points with the total around 52. The spread reflects confidence in the Hoosiers, but covering such a wide margin is another matter. Kennesaw’s defensive front and Williams’ mobility give the Owls a chance to stay competitive.

Indiana’s running game and opportunistic defense should control the game from start to finish. Still, the Hoosiers’ passing inconsistencies and conservative play-calling could keep the final score closer than Vegas expects.

SISN Prediction: Indiana 35, Kennesaw State 10

Indiana will move to 2–0 under Cignetti, while Kennesaw State will leave Bloomington with respect for another hard-fought showing against a Power Five opponent.

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