No. 3 Indiana Hoosiers Crush Michigan State 38‑13 in Big Ten Upset

When Indiana Hoosiers stormed onto the field at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, no one expected a 38‑13 blowout against the Michigan State Spartans. Yet quarterback Fernando Mendoza, starting QB turned a routine Saturday afternoon into what analysts called his "fourth‑best passing day of his career," propelling Indiana to its third straight win and nudging the team into serious CFP talk.

Game Overview and Immediate Impact

The clash, officially recorded as the Indiana vs. Michigan State football gameMemorial Stadium, Bloomington, kicked off at 3:30 PM EDT. Indiana entered the contest ranked No. 3 in the nation (6‑1 overall, 3‑0 Big Ten) while Michigan State (3‑4 overall, 0‑3 Big Ten) was nursing a four‑game skid after a promising 3‑0 start in September.

Within the first two minutes, the Spartans managed a field goal from kicker Martin Conington, placekicker. That would be the only score Michigan State would see before Indiana seized control.

• Final Score: Indiana 38, Michigan State 13
• Total yards: Indiana 452, Michigan State 298
• Turnovers: Indiana 0, Michigan State 2
• Time of possession: Indiana 33:12, Michigan State 26:48

Key Performers and Play‑by‑Play Highlights

After the opening kickoff, Indiana opted to defer and let the Spartans start. The early field goal gave a brief illusion of balance, but Mendoza answered with a crisp 12‑yard strike to EJ Williams Jr., wide receiver on third‑and‑two, followed by a soft roll to the right for a touchdown that put the Hoosiers up 7‑3.

Midway through the first quarter, Mendoza launched a deep ball to Serat, who juked a defender and slid the ball across the goal line. Running back Cooper capped the drive with a smash‑through plunge that made it 21‑3.

Michigan State’s brief spark came from sophomore receiver Nick Marsh, who snagged a fourth‑and‑one conversion and later crossed for a 5‑yard touchdown. Still, the Spartans could only muster two field goals after that, both from Conington, who finished the night perfect on attempts inside 50 yards.

The Hoosiers added a fourth TD on a play‑action pass to Williams in the third quarter and sealed the contest with a 23‑yard strike to Serat late in the fourth, pushing the lead past the two‑digit mark.

Coaching Strategies and Tactical Shifts

First‑year head coach Curt Cignetti, head coach has emphasized a balanced attack that leverages Mendoza’s arm and a disciplined offensive line. The game plan featured quick slants, play‑action, and occasional deep shots—exactly the mix that kept the Spartans’ secondary guessing.

Across the sideline, Jonathan Smith, Michigan State head coach stuck with a run‑heavy approach that never gained traction. After the second turnover, Smith tried to spark his offense with a no‑huddle tempo, but Indiana’s defensive front, led by senior linebacker Alex Reed, kept pressure on the quarterback Aiden Childs, forcing hurried throws and limiting any comeback hopes.

Implications for the Big Ten Race

With the win, Indiana still sits atop the Big Ten East, a full game ahead of Ohio State and Penn State. The margin of victory also boosts the Hoosiers’ net‑ranking points, a factor the College Football Playoff committee monitors closely.

For Michigan State, the loss deepens the crisis. A 0‑3 conference record now looks bleak, and the Spartans face a make‑or‑break matchup against Purdue next Saturday—a game that could determine whether they stay in bowl contention.

Looking Ahead: Next Opponents

Indiana will travel to Columbus on Oct. 25 to face the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. That showdown is billed as a potential de‑facto conference championship preview.

Meanwhile, the Spartans return home to host Purdue at Spartan Stadium the same night. Coach Smith has promised adjustments on both sides of the ball, but the window to salvage a respectable season is rapidly closing.