Indiana, Northwestern Enter Big Ten Opener Unbeaten

No. 5 Indiana was scheduled to host undefeated Northwestern in a Big Ten opener Friday, Sept. 25, at 8 p.m. ET, with both teams entering the matchup unbeaten. The game was set for Indiana’s Memorial Stadium and a FOX broadcast. The supplied reports were published before kickoff and do not provide a final score, so the outcome is not established here. Indiana entered at 3-0 after a 38-0 win over Western Kentucky on Sept. 19. Northwestern was 2-0 after beating Colorado 41-7. The game marked Indiana’s first Big Ten contest of the season and was described in previews as its first test against conference competition. Indiana was favored, though published point spreads differed, ranging from 20.5 to 22.5 points. The Hoosiers had scored 145 points across their first three games, while allowing 16, according to one preview. Quarterback Josh Hoover had thrown for 649 yards and 10 touchdowns without an interception. Running back Turbo Richard had recorded 315 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles had 514 passing yards and four passing touchdowns through two games, along with three rushing scores, according to the supplied game previews.