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'I'm pleased with where we're at': Indiana football enters week one feeling 'really good' about health of roster

headshotby: Alec Lasley08/25/25allasley
Syndication: The Herald-Times
Indiana University's Drew Evans (62) stretches during fall practice at the Mellencamp Pavilion at Indiana University on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024.

Indiana football is prepping for its week one opponent on Saturday as Old Dominion comes to Bloomington bringing its upset-minded mentality.

“Hopefully we have their full attention throughout the week and on Saturday, right? But yeah, you know, camp is important,” Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti said on Monday. “You’re establishing the habits that they’re going to carry you through the season, installing, developing players, learning about your team. Now it’s time to go to war. It’s serious business now.”

Indiana has battled some injuries throughout the entirety of fall camp, most minor. Indiana is expected to be near full health on Saturday.

“I feel really good about the health of our team right now going into the opener,” Cignetti said. “During camp we did have some guys in and out defensively at times, and one offensive lineman missed a little time but is healthy now. So overall I’m pleased with where we’re at.”

(On3+): Early Look — Breaking down Indiana’s Week 1 matchup with Old Dominion

The two biggest offseason injuries revolved around the loss of wide receiver Tyler Morris to a knee injury in the spring and the rehab process of offensive lineman Drew Evans, who was making his way back from a mid-season achilles injury last season.

Evans was nearly a full participant for most of fall camp.

The one major question mark is the availability of safety Louis Moore. Moore, who transferred back to Indiana from Ole Miss, is in the middle of an NCAA case over his eligibility. Moore practiced with Indiana all spring and fall up until earlier this month when the NCAA ruled he may be ineligible to play. He earned a temporary restraining order (TRO) last week which was a first step in becoming fully eligible this season. He has an injunction hearing on Aug. 27 that will determine his full eligibility this year.

Old Dominion has played six power four opponents since 2022, with one win coming against Virginia Tech and three losses coming by four points or less. Its average margin of defeat is just 7.5 points a game. Last year it lost at South Carolina, 23-19, in the opener.

“It’s exciting,” Cignetti said about week one. “But it’s a total gear shift in terms of mental intensity, the preparation required, the urgency, staff and players. You know, stacking moments, meeting, practices, days to put ourselves in the best position to play as well as we can on Saturday against a team that I really respect, Old Dominion. A conference that I respect a lot … All but one of Old Dominion’s losses last year were by one score or less. Like I’ve told you in the past, they’ve beaten Virginia Tech twice in recent history, so we’ve got to be ready to go.”

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