Indiana football spring game preview: Format, storylines and more for Thursday's action

After over four months of patient waiting, fans will finally be able to pack Memorial Stadium once again, as Indiana‘s 2025 spring game is here. It will be played this Thursday, April 17, at 8:00 p.m.

While several other programs have modified or cancelled their spring games for 2025, Indiana is expected to keep a similar format to what was seen in 2024. In the first spring game under Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers exhibited an offense vs. defense format, and is expected to keep this style in year two of the Cignetti era.

“We play a half, basically, is what we do. Offense versus defense. That’s it, we’re done. It’s not really a game; in my mind it is a glorified practice. It’s a third opportunity to get your guys out there in game-like conditions. It’s also going to be the only time we tackle this spring. That’s how I look at it” Cignetti said after practice last week, outlining how the 2025 edition of IU’s spring game will look.

In last year’s 2024 game, the offense defeated the defense 34-25 after the two sides played two 15-minute quarters before the game went final. It featured a scoring system that looked like this:

How the offense can score:

Touchdown – 6 points
Extra point – 1 point
Field goal – 3 points

How the defense can score:

Turnover gained – 4 points
Defensive stop – 3 points
Safety – 2 points

While last year’s game was televised on Big Ten Network, this year’s game will not be televised, as fans are encouraged to go in person to support the Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium.

“It’s not on TV, it’s just another practice,” Cignetti said, offering insight into whether the game would be televised.

This is becoming a more and more common occurrence, but Cignetti and Indiana have held firm, as the second-year coach is confident that holding a spring game can still be beneficial, although he didn’t consider other programs’ decisions when making the choice to hold a spring game at IU.

“Actions speak louder than words, the fact that we are going to go through with it. That’s what I believe. I don’t really have an opinion about other people canceling their spring games,” Cignetti said, elaborating on his decision to keep the game intact.

While to Cignetti, the spring game might be “just a glorified practice,” there are several questions that will be answered on Thursday night, as Indiana fans have been eager to see their Hoosiers after their record-breaking 2024 campaign. Some of the biggest storylines include:

How will Fernando Mendoza look with his receiving corps…

The spring game will be the first time fans will get the chance to see their expected QB1 in person, meaning that all eyes will be on the Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza.

The 6-foot-5 junior has practiced with the first unit all spring and is projected to do so on Thursday, but what will be most interesting is how he connects with Indiana’s different receivers. Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr. are expected to be a one-two punch at the receiver position, but guys like Makai Jackson, E.J. Williams and Charlie Becker are poised to each make an impact for this Hoosier team.

Mendoza clearly has skill throwing the ball, particularly deep, but the success he’ll find throughout the season may be dependent on how he links with his receivers—most especially Sarratt and Cooper Jr. If he can develop strong connections, IU should replicate what it did in 2024 with Kurtis Rourke.

While Mendoza hasn’t had the longest time to develop rapport, the spring game will showcase to the fans in attendance how much progress has been made, making how Mendoza connects with his receivers a story to follow heading into Thursday.

What will the running back room look like with transfer additions…

With transfers Roman Hemby and Lee Beebe entering the Indiana running back room, it will be interesting to see how the IU coaching staff manages reps, while the spring game could be telling in regard to who is the starting back at this point in the offseason.

Hemby, a transfer from Maryland, has been getting most of the first-team reps, but if the Hoosiers continue with the trend seen in 2024, UAB transfer Beebe should get a healthy load of reps as well.

Kaelon Black could also be a name to watch out for, as while he’s projected to be the third-string back, he could see some game action throughout the season and will most definitely see some in the spring game.

Indiana’s success was frequently dependent on its tandem of Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton last year, so it’s not bold to assume 2025 will be more of the same—although it will be Hemby and Beebe getting the carries as newcomers from the transfer portal.

Who will win the battle between the offensive line and defensive front seven…

In what may be the most intriguing storyline, the two position groups that may be most critical for Indiana’s success will go head to head in front of fans with some new faces, but a lot of returnees as well.

The offensive line is set to feature returners Carter Smith and Bray Lynch, while transfers Pat Coogan and Zen Michalski will be incredibly important pieces as well. Drew Evans and Kahlil Benson missed spring practice, so they won’t participate on Thursday, meaning that there will be one guard spot up for grabs.

On the defensive side, Mikail Kamara and Aiden Fisher are set to anchor the front seven as returning All-Americans, but the Hoosiers have talent across the board.

Tyrique Tucker and Marcus Burris Jr. are experienced nose tackles, while Mario Landino could get reps at defensive end as well. Rolijah Hardy saw action in 2024 for IU and is slated to get more playing time in 2025 at the linebacker position.

With experience throughout the defensive front, Indiana’s pass rushers could be some of the best in the Big Ten, while its offensive line will be the rock that both the passing and rushing games will be built on.

Fans will get to see these two groups face off against each other, and while it’s not in a true game setting, the battles seen on Thursday should be one of the most entertaining factors in an intriguing 2025 Indiana football spring game.