Make It Loud – Noise To Fuel Hoosiers Against Illinois
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Bring on the noise, says defensive lineman Mikail Kamara. Rock Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium as it’s never been rocked before Saturday night when No. 9/8 Illinois (3-0) plays at No. 19/17 Indiana (3-0).
“The noise is almost deafening,” Kamara says, “but it makes you play faster. As a defensive player, you play best when you’re moving fast, and the noise really helps.”
A game of this magnitude generates plenty of national buzz. For those who question the strength of IU’s non-conference schedule -- although Old Dominion beating Virgina Tech punches holes in that criticism -- Kamara has an emphatic response.
“I’m not concerned what others have to say outside of this facility, or outside the locker room,” he says. “I see what they cheer for; I see what they boo. It doesn’t affect me at all.”
Indiana has improved each game, Kamara says, a pattern he expects to continue on Saturday night.
“It’s doing what we do. Stick to the fundamentals. Don’t try to get too cute. Play physical -- fast, physical, relentless. Do what we know we can do. We put it on tape on Saturday. That’s when it’s supposed to be the most fun.
“Throughout the week is the hardest. Saturday should be the most fun.”
IU has won two of the last three meetings against Illinois, and four of the last five, although the Illini won the last one, 48-45 in overtime in 2023.
“I know Illinois has had their eyes on us for a while,” coach Curt Cignetti told Voice of the Hoosiers Don Fischer during Thursday night’s radio show, “and we’ve had our eyes on them for a while. It’s two good teams matching up early in the year. I’m glad it’s at home.”
The Hoosiers lead all of major college football in first downs gained (91), and rank in the top 10 in 12 different national categories, including total offense (third at 591.7 yards a game), rushing offense (third at 307.7 yards), and first downs allowed (third at 25).
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema praised IU during his Monday press conference.
“(Indiana) offensively, defensively and special teams are as well coached as anybody we'll see,” he said. “They have complementary football written all over it. It’s the way they play, the way they talk, the way they communicate. It’s a very, very impressive group to watch. We've got our work cut out for us.”
IU quarterback Fernando Mendoza completes 55-of-76 passes for 708 yards and nine touchdowns. He hasn’t thrown an interception.
Illini defensive coordinator Aaron Henry says Mendoza will play in the NFL one day.
“He has a live arm. He makes some throws you're like, ‘Oh, my goodness.’ His arm is as live as live can get.
“He throws a nice, beautiful ball. His downfield vision, his progressions that he makes when he's in the pocket are absolutely incredible.”
IU also has one of the nation’s best defenses. It ranks sixth nationally in scoring defense (allowing 7.7 points) and total defense (giving up 220.7 yards a game). It has 30 tackles for loss in the last two games.
"They're very confident,” Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. said. “They're very experienced. Their scheme is challenging. It's a very impressive defense.”
IU’s defensive confidence, defensive lineman Kellan Wyatt says, comes from how the Hoosiers practice.
“We get a lot of reps. The coaches throw a lot of hard looks at us. As a defense and a team, they want to see how you respond off those looks. Every play is not meant to be a good play. When that happens, the coaches want to see how you react to it.”