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LIVE updates Illinois vs. Indiana: Fernando Mendoza's three first half TD has Hoosiers up big

Q2 1:09- SCORE ALERT Indiana 35, Illinois 7

Fernando Mendoza pass complete to Elijah Sarratt for 9 yards for a TD (Nico Radicic KICK)

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 21, 2025

Q2 2:00-Indiana 28, Illinois 7

Kaelon Black run for 23 yards to the ILL 24 for a 1ST down. Just outside the red zone with the Hoosiers looking to add another score before halftime.

Q2 4:23-Indiana 28, Illinois 7

Another three and out by Illinois offense. Not a good look for them in the first half

Q2 6:17- SCORE ALERT Indiana 28, Illinois 7

Fernando Mendoza pass complete to Riley Nowakowski for 43 yards for a TD (Nico Radicic KICK)

🚨 43-YARD STRIKE 🚨
Riley Nowakowski hauls it in for the Hoosiers TOUCHDOWN Indiana! 🔴⚪️
Explosive play swings the momentum 💥#IUFB | #Indiana | #CFB | #CollegeFootball pic.twitter.com/xqlLYihHWr

— Aggregate Sports (@AggregateSports) September 21, 2025

Q2 11:05- SCORE ALERT Indiana 21, Illinois 7

Fernando Mendoza pass complete to E.J. Williams Jr. for 11 yards for a TD (Nico Radicic KICK)

A dart to E.J. Williams Jr. in the end zone for SIX! 🙌 @IndianaFootball leads 21-7! pic.twitter.com/AzlWEzmWWo

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 21, 2025

Q2 14:46-Indiana 14, Illinois 7

Both teams have started a puntfest. Two by Illinois and one by Indiana with the Hoosiers getting the ball back.

END OF FIRST QUARTER: Indiana 14, Illinois 7

Q1 4:41- SCORE ALERT Indiana 14, Illinois 7

Fernando Mendoza pass complete to Omar Cooper Jr. for 11 yards for a TD (Nico Radicic KICK). This capped off a 7-play, 75-yard drive.

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 21, 2025

Q1 8:24- SCORE ALERT Indiana 7, Illinois 7

Luke Altmyer pass complete to Collin Dixon for 59 yards for a TD (David Olano KICK)

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 21, 2025

Q1 9:26- SCORE ALERT Indiana 7, Illinois 0

D'Angelo Ponds return a block punt 11 yards for a TD (Nico Radicic KICK)'

BLOCKED THE PUNT! SCORED THE TOUCHDOWN! @IndianaFootball UNREAL! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2pdVyjWQnR

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 21, 2025

Q1 10:43 - No score

Fernando Mendoza sacked by Leon Lowery Jr. for a loss of 9 yards to the IU 17, A punt comes two plays later

Q1 12:46 - No score

Luke Altmyer and the Illinois offense stalls with a punt on the first drive

Start of game- Illinois receives the ball first

LIVE updates: Follow along with all the action as Illinois battles Indiana in Week 4

The new era of college football has produced its share of unexpected storylines, and few are more striking than the simultaneous rise of Indiana and Illinois.

Just a year ago, Indiana shocked the sport by breaking through to the College Football Playoff, while Illinois quietly put together a 10-3 campaign. Now, both programs enter Week 4 of the 2025 season undefeated, each at 3-0, setting the stage for a highly anticipated Big Ten clash in Bloomington.

On Saturday night, Memorial Stadium will host No. 9 Illinois against No. 19 Indiana in the conference opener for both teams. Illinois rides into the matchup fresh off a dominant 38-0 win over Western Michigan, while Indiana comes in after overwhelming in-state rival Indiana State 73-0. The Fighting Illini have built their 3-0 start on disciplined defense and a balanced attack, while the Hoosiers have shown an ability to score in bunches, averaging over 50 points per game through September.

Illinois, 10-3 a season ago, proved it could travel by going 3-2 on the road over the last two years. Indiana, meanwhile, has transformed its home field into a fortress, going 11-0 in Bloomington since the start of 2024. That streak will be tested against an opponent that boasts both momentum and a top-10 ranking. Oddsmakers have Indiana as a seven-point favorite, a nod to their consistency at home and the strength of their roster.

Historically, Illinois has owned the rivalry, leading the all-time series 46-25-3. The Illini claimed a 48-45 thriller in their last meeting in 2023, but the balance has shifted in recent decades. The programs have split their last 20 matchups evenly, with each of the past two decided by just a field goal. That trend underscores how competitive the rivalry has become despite Illinois’ overall advantage.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET under the lights, with Memorial Stadium providing the backdrop for the 74th meeting between these familiar foes. Whether Indiana extends its perfect home run or Illinois asserts itself as a legitimate Big Ten contender, Saturday night promises to add another dramatic chapter to a series that has grown tighter and more compelling in the modern era.