Indiana Dominates Purdue in 127th Rivalry Showdown: Position-by-Position Breakdown of the Hoosiers’ 56-3 Victory
There’s nothing quite like a rivalry game to bring out the best-or worst-in a team. When Indiana and Purdue meet, it’s more than just a football game.
It’s a clash of pride, tradition, and state bragging rights. And on Friday night, in the 127th edition of this long-standing in-state feud, Indiana didn’t just win-they steamrolled the Boilermakers in a 56-3 rout that left no doubt about who owns the Old Oaken Bucket this season.
Let’s take a closer look at how each Indiana position group performed in a game that was lopsided on the scoreboard and even more dominant on film.
Quarterbacks: C
You wouldn’t guess it from the final score, but this wasn’t Fernando Mendoza’s finest outing. The redshirt junior, who’s been in the thick of the Heisman conversation, posted season lows across the board-just eight completions, a 53.3% completion rate, and 117 passing yards. He looked off-target for much of the night, missing open receivers and throwing a few passes that easily could’ve been picked off if Purdue’s secondary had better hands.
That said, Mendoza didn’t need to play hero ball. Indiana’s ground game was rolling, and the defense made life miserable for Purdue’s offense. Mendoza’s performance won’t tank his Heisman chances, especially with a Big Ten Championship Game still on the horizon, but it was a reminder that even elite quarterbacks can have off nights-and still win big when the team around them delivers.
Running Backs: A+
When the passing game sputters, the ground game has to carry the load. And Indiana’s running backs didn’t just carry it-they sprinted away with it.
The Hoosiers racked up 355 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 37 carries, averaging a staggering 9.6 yards per attempt. The highlight?
Roman Hemby’s electric 82-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter. The redshirt senior hit the hole and never looked back, showing off the kind of breakaway speed that turns a solid gain into a game-breaking moment.
Kaelon Black added his own flair to the mix with a slick 16-yard touchdown run that featured one of the cleanest spin moves you’ll see all season. This was the sixth time this year Indiana has eclipsed 300 yards on the ground-and they made it look effortless.
Receivers: B+
Eight completions don’t leave a lot of room for gaudy receiving stats, but the Hoosier wideouts still found ways to make an impact.
Omar Cooper Jr. made the most of his opportunity, turning a short catch into a 43-yard touchdown with some nifty open-field moves. Elijah Sarratt, back from injury, found the end zone as well in a welcome return to the lineup.
But where this group really stood out was in their downfield blocking. Time and again, receivers were sealing off defenders and springing their running backs for extra yardage. It’s the kind of selfless, gritty work that doesn’t show up in the box score but makes a huge difference on film.
Offensive Line: A
Indiana’s offensive line has had its ups and downs this season, but Friday night was a showcase of what this unit can do when it’s clicking.
No sacks allowed. Minimal negative plays.
And a dominant run-blocking effort that paved the way for 355 rushing yards. Purdue’s front simply couldn’t match the physicality or execution Indiana brought to the trenches.
Aside from one false start, this was as clean and commanding a performance as you could ask for. The Hoosiers averaged nearly 10 yards per carry-that doesn’t happen without some serious work being done up front.
The real test, of course, comes next week against Ohio State. But for now, the line deserves its flowers.
Defensive Line: A+
Stephen Daley is a problem. The senior defensive end continued his monster season with 4.5 tackles for loss, adding to his Big Ten-leading total and wreaking havoc in Purdue’s backfield all night long.
Indiana’s defensive front was relentless, racking up 10 tackles for loss and holding the Boilermakers to just 1.6 yards per carry. Purdue never found a rhythm offensively, and a big reason why was the constant pressure and penetration from the Hoosiers’ front four.
If you’re wondering how Purdue managed just three points, start here. This was a statement game from a unit that’s been steadily improving all season.
Linebackers: A
When the guys up front are dominating, it frees up the linebackers to fly around and make plays-and that’s exactly what Aiden Fisher and Rolijah Hardy did.
The duo combined for 17 tackles, with Hardy also breaking up two passes in coverage. They were quick to fill gaps in the run game and disciplined in their assignments. It wasn’t a flashy performance, but it was a fundamentally sound one-and that’s exactly what you want from your linebacking corps in a game like this.
Secondary: B+
On paper, 238 passing yards allowed might raise an eyebrow. But context matters.
Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne attempted 47 passes-the most Indiana has faced all season. That kind of volume is going to lead to some yardage, but the Hoosiers kept things in check. The Boilermakers averaged just 5.1 yards per attempt, which speaks to how well Indiana’s secondary kept plays in front of them and limited big gains.
It wasn’t a perfect showing, but it was more than enough to keep Purdue’s offense from ever threatening.
Special Teams: A
Special teams often go unnoticed in blowouts, but Indiana’s unit quietly had a strong night.
Kicker Nico Radicic stayed perfect on the season, knocking through all eight of his extra point attempts. Meanwhile, punter Mitch McCarthy bounced back in a big way, averaging 47.3 yards on four punts and flipping field position when called upon.
In a game where every other phase was humming, special teams did its job-and did it well.
Final Thoughts
This was more than just a rivalry win-it was a complete, top-to-bottom dismantling of a conference opponent. Indiana didn’t just beat Purdue; they overwhelmed them in every phase of the game. And with the Big Ten Championship on deck, the Hoosiers are peaking at the right time.
The road ahead gets tougher. Ohio State looms. But if Indiana brings this level of physicality, execution, and balance into next week, they’ll have a real shot at making history.