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Indiana’s PERFECT Red Zone Revenge Game: Hoosiers Roll Kennesaw State 56–9

12by: CoachGriff5509/09/25X.com/HoosierTailgate

Author: Shannon Griffith – Lead Football Analyst, TheHoosier.com


Indiana Cleans Up Its Red Zone, Roars to a 56–9 Win

After a rough Week 1 showing inside the 20, Indiana redefined its efficiency in a powerful way. The Hoosiers dominated Kennesaw State with a 56–9 victory, displaying a balanced offensive attack and airtight defense when needed.

Quarterback Fernando Mendoza went 18-of-25 passing for 245 yards and 4 TDs—all without throwing an interception. Wide receiver Elijah Sarratt hauled in 9 catches for 97 yards and 3 touchdowns, establishing himself as a red-zone nightmare. Transfer receiver E.J. Williams Jr. added a score of his own on an 8-yard catch in the fourth quarter.

On the ground, Lee Beebe Jr. led the rushing attack with 11 carries for 90 yards and a touchdown, while Omar Cooper Jr. electrified Memorial Stadium with a 75-yard end-around touchdown early in the second half. Indiana finished with 313 rushing yards, spreading touches among Beebe, Cooper, Roman Hemby, Kaelon Black, and others.

Defense Holds Strong, Limits Damage

Kennesaw State managed just three field goals in the game but never reached the end zone. Indiana’s front seven consistently collapsed the pocket and bottled up the Owls’ running game, finishing with double-digit tackles for loss. The only blemishes came on a few chunk pass plays, but the defense stiffened when it mattered most.

Big Ten Snapshot and What’s Next

Around the Big Ten:

  • Ohio State cruised past Grambling.
  • Penn State shut out FIU.
  • Illinois knocked off Duke to earn a spot in the Top 10.
  • Michigan stumbled against Oklahoma and dropped in the polls.

In the Rankings: Indiana climbed to #22 in the AP Poll and #19 in the Coaches Poll, marking a strong early-season statement.

Next Up: The Hoosiers return to Memorial Stadium on Friday night at 6:30 PM ET to host Indiana State on BTN. It’s a short turnaround but another opportunity to sharpen execution before Big Ten play begins.

Final Word

This 56–9 win was more than just a blowout; it was a statement. Indiana’s red-zone efficiency improved to 7-for-7, Mendoza commanded the offense with confidence, Sarratt dominated inside the 20, and the defense slammed the door.

As they head into Week 3, the Hoosiers have replaced doubt with momentum. For a program looking to build consistency, this was the exact response they needed.

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