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Indiana Football Game Preview: Kennesaw State – key question, injury report, how to watch

6I5A5606by: Drew Rosenberg09/05/25drew_rosenberg2
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. © Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Indiana football heads into their week two matchup against Kennesaw State looking to clean up the mistakes we saw against Old Dominion last week.

Curt Cignetti was blunt after the game expressing his thoughts on the Hoosiers’ performance.

Kennesaw State comes into this game 0-1 after a 10-9 loss against Wake Forest in week one. Head coach Jerry Mack is in his first year with the program after previously working as the running backs coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

This game is also a reunion for Kennesaw State starting quarterback and former Hoosier Dexter Williams II. Williams II was with Indiana from 2020-23 and appeared in four games including a double over time victory against Michigan State in which he rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown.

After dropping to No. 23 in the AP Poll after their week one win, Indiana will be looking to have an improved performance in week two against Kennesaw State.

Below is the full preview ahead of Saturday’s week two game.

Opposing Coach Q&A: Kennesaw State head coach Jerry Mack previews Week 2 matchup with Indiana

Key Question

Were the big runs allowed in week one a fluke or a sign of real issues on defense?

Outside of two plays the Indiana defense played great against Old Dominion in week one. The Hoosier defense forced three turnovers and shutdown the ODU passing attack.

There was a lot of good but allowing two separate rushing touchdowns by the quarterback of 75+ yards is a real concern. Prior to the game Old Dominion QB Colton Joseph had never had a run of more than 40 yards in his college career.

Like Joseph, Kennesaw State QB Dexter Williams II is also a threat to run.

Hoosier fans likely remember the performance he had against Michigan State mentioned above and he showcased that ability in week one against Wake Forest.

While Indiana returned several key defenders, replacing linebacker Jailin Walker’s production against the run was going to be important for Bryant Haines’ defense.

Outside of the two big runs, Indiana allowed just 65 rushing yards on 21 attempts but stopping the big plays will be crucial moving forward.

Indiana will have a great chance to show that running quarterbacks are not going to be an issue moving forward if they can shutdown Williams II ability to run in week two.

Indiana looks to turn the page after Week 1 win: ‘We should get much better this week’

Matchup History

Kennesaw State is in its second year since joining the FBS and this game will mark the first matchup between them and Indiana.

It is the second straight week Indiana is hosting a brand new opponent, and its fifth time since the 2024 season (2025: Old Dominion; 2024: Western Illinois, Charlotte, UCLA).

Game Week Q&A: Pat Coogan, D’Angelo Ponds preview Week 2 contest against Kennesaw State

Injury Updates

Indiana football announced that redshirt-senior safety Bryson Bonds will miss the rest of the 2025 season after suffering a knee injury in week one.

True freshman safety Byron Baldwin Jr., who missed week one, was called day-to-day by Cignetti after the game.

‘The sky’s the limit’ for Indiana’s ‘underrated’ safety Amare Ferrell

Quick Hitters

Who?  Kennesaw State (0-1) vs #20 Indiana (1-0)

When?  Saturday, Aug. 30 | 12:00 p.m. ET

Where?  Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium (Bloomington, Indiana)

TV: FS1

Radio:  Indiana Hoosiers Sports Network

Spread:  Indiana Football is a 36.5-point favorite and the over/under is set at 50.5 points per BetMGM.

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