2025 Indiana State Sycamores football team

Last updated

2025 Indiana State Sycamores football
Indiana State Sycamores wordmark.svg
Conference Missouri Valley Football Conference
Record2–5 (0–3 MVFC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorJohn Bear (1st season)
Defensive coordinator David Elson (1st season)
Home stadium Memorial Stadium
Seasons
  2024
2026 
2025 Missouri Valley Football Conference standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 1 North Dakota State  4 0   7 0  
No. 2 South Dakota State  3 0   7 0  
No. 8 North Dakota  3 0   5 2  
No. 21 South Dakota  3 1   5 3  
No. 18 Illinois State  1 2   4 3  
No. 16 Southern Illinois  1 2   4 3  
No. 22 Youngstown State  1 2   4 3  
Indiana State  0 3   2 5  
Northern Iowa  0 3   2 5  
Murray State  0 3   0 7  
As of October 20, 2025
Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2025 Indiana State Sycamores football team represents Indiana State University as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football season. They are led by eighth-year head coach Curt Mallory. [1] Indiana State play their home games at Memorial Stadium located in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Contents

Preseason

MVFC poll

The Missouri Valley Football Conference released its preseason poll on July 21, 2025, voted on by league athletic directors, coaches, and media members. The Sycamores were predicted to finish ninth in the conference. [2]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 286:00 p.m. McKendree * ESPN+ W 41–243,206
September 61:00 p.m. Eastern Illinois *
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Terre Haute, IN
ESPN+W 38–145,281
September 126:30 p.m.at No. 22 (FBS) Indiana * BTN L 0–7346,219
September 203:00 p.m.at No. 5 Montana *ESPN+L 20–6326,193
October 47:00 p.m.at No. 10 Southern Illinois ESPN+L 27–5510,132
October 111:00 p.m.No. 23 South Dakota Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Terre Haute, IN
ESPN+L 14–195,373
October 181:00 p.m.No. 1 North Dakota State
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Terre Haute, IN
ESPN+L 7–383,252
October 254:00 p.m.at No. 8 North Dakota ESPN+
November 13:00 p.m.at South Dakota State ESPN+
November 81:00 p.m. Illinois State
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Terre Haute, IN
ESPN+
November 1512:00 p.m.at Youngstown State ESPN+
November 221:00 p.m. Murray State
  • Memorial Stadium
  • Terre Haute, IN
ESPN+
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

[3]

Game summaries

All times in Eastern time

McKendree (DII)

McKendree Bearcats (DII) (0–0) at Indiana State Sycamores (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bearcats (DII)3901224
Sycamores31021741

at Memorial Stadium, Terre Haute, IN

  • Date: August 28
  • Game time: 6:00 PM
  • Game attendance: 3,206
  • Referee: Carl Chapman
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Joey O'Rourke (play-by-play) and Jim Leisure (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • INST – Sebastian Lopez 40-yard field goal, 11:38. Sycamores 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards, 1:34.
  • MCK – Chase Reeves 24-yard field goal, 2:35. Tied 3–3. Drive: 16 plays, 73 yards, 6:53.
Second quarter
  • INST – Bryan Domino 22-yard pass from Elijah Owens (Sebastian Lopez kick), 8:01. Sycamores 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 3:53.
  • INST – Sebastian Lopez 28-yard field goal, 4:39. Sycamores 13–3. Drive: 6 plays, 16 yards, 2:13.
  • MCK – Eddie Clark 2-yard run (Chase Reeves kick), 1:48. Sycamores 13–10. Drive: 5 plays, 19 yards, 1:45.
  • MCK – Team Safety, 0:43. Sycamores 13–12.
Third quarter
  • INST – Plez Lawrence 17-yard run (Sebastian Lopez kick), 9:23. Sycamores 20–12. Drive: 8 plays, 77 yards, 3:08.
  • INST – Nick Osho 4-yard run (Sebastian Lopez kick), 4:13. Sycamores 27–12. Drive: 12 plays, 43 yards, 4:13.
  • INST – Plez Lawrence 75-yard pass from Elijah Owens (Sebastian Lopez kick), 0:14. Sycamores 34–12. Drive: 2 plays, 88 yards, 0:37.
Fourth quarter
  • MCK – Quincy Hall Jr. 20-yard pass from Ty Michael (Chase Reeves kick BLOCKED), 10:43. Sycamores 34–18. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 4:31.
  • MCK – Brylan Apholone 22-yard pass from Ty Michael (pass failed), 4:54. Sycamores 34–24. Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 3:47.
  • INST – Plez Lawrence 4-yard run (Sebastian Lopez kick), 0:52. Sycamores 41–24. Drive: 10 plays, 73 yards, 3:54.
StatisticsMCKINST
First downs2227
Total yards325469
Rushing yards137219
Passing yards188250
Passing: Comp–Att–Int16–40–219–27–1
Time of possession29:5830:02
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
McKendreePassingTy Michael7/14, 115 yards, 2 TD
RushingEddie Clark21 carries, 74 yards, TD
ReceivingQuincy Hall Jr.5 receptions, 69 yards, TD
Indiana StatePassingElijah Owens19/27, 250 yards, 2 TD, INT
RushingPlez Lawrence21 carries, 133 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingPlez Lawrence4 receptions, 92 yards, TD

Eastern Illinois

Eastern Illinois Panthers (1–0) at Indiana State Sycamores (1–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Panthers007714
Sycamores71071438

at Memorial Stadium, Terre Haute, IN

  • Date: September 6
  • Game time: 1:00 PM
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Joey O'Rourke (play-by-play) and Jim Leisure (analyst)
StatisticsEIUINST
First downs1822
Total yards239412
Rushing yards89211
Passing yards150201
Passing: Comp–Att–Int16-25-121-28-0
Time of possession35:0025:00
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Eastern IllinoisPassingConnor Wolf9/13, 112 yards
RushingCharles Kellom23 carries, 86 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingCarlyun Neal2 receptions, 37 yards
Indiana StatePassingKeegan Patterson11/17, 111 yards, 2 TD
RushingKeegan Patterson5 carries, 78 yards
ReceivingLarry Stephens III5 receptions, 63 yards, TD

at No. 22 (FBS) Indiana

Indiana State Sycamores (2–0) vs. No. 22 (FBS) Indiana Hoosiers (2–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Sycamores00000
No. 22 (FBS) Hoosiers212421773

at Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN

  • Date: September 12
  • Game time: 6:30 PM
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 83 °F (28 °C) • Wind: NE at 2 miles per hour (3.2 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 46,219
  • Referee: Kole Knueppel
  • TV announcers (BTN): Lisa Byington (play-by-play), Jared Thomas (analyst), and Melanie Ricks (sideline reporter)
Game information
First quarter
  • IU – Fernando Mendoza 7-yard run (Nico Radicic kick), 11:22. Hoosiers 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 3:30.
  • IU – Omar Cooper Jr. 13-yard pass from Fernando Mendoza (Nico Radicic kick), 4:42. Hoosiers 14–0. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 5:13.
  • IU – Omar Cooper Jr. 13-yard pass from Fernando Mendoza (Nico Radicic kick), 1:07. Hoosiers 21–0. Drive: 5 plays, 31 yards, 2:02.
Second quarter
  • IU – Nico Radicic 25-yard field goal, 10:28. Hoosiers 24–0. Drive: 8 plays, 37 yards, 3:37.
  • IU – Holden Staes 18-yard pass from Fernando Mendoza (Nico Radicic kick), 7:56. Hoosiers 31–0. Drive: 3 plays, 65 yards, 1:24.
  • IU – Jonathan Brady 4-yard pass from Fernando Mendoza (Nico Radicic kick), 5:03. Hoosiers 38–0. Drive: 2 plays, 35 yards, 0:33.
  • IU – Omar Cooper Jr. 31-yard pass from Fernando Mendoza (Nico Radicic kick), 1:51. Hoosiers 45–0. Drive: 3 plays, 45 yards, 0:36.
Third quarter
  • IU – Omar Cooper Jr. 58-yard pass from Alberto Mendoza (Nico Radicic kick), 11:51. Hoosiers 52–0. Drive: 4 plays, 72 yards, 1:22.
  • IU – Jonathan Brady 12-yard pass from Alberto Mendoza (Nico Radicic kick), 6:15. Hoosiers 59–0. Drive: 8 plays, 70 yards, 3:46.
  • IU – Khobie Martin 20-yard run (Nico Radicic kick), 1:22. Hoosiers 66–0. Drive: 5 plays, 61 yards, 2:51.
Fourth quarter
  • IU – Khobie Martin 1-yard run (Nico Radicic kick), 2:18. Hoosiers 73–0. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 6:13.
StatisticsINSTIU
First downs533
Total yards77680
Rushing yards39301
Passing yards38379
Passing: Comp–Att–Int11–20–026–30–0
Time of possession26:0833:37
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Indiana StatePassingBrock Riddle3/4, 25 yards
RushingAngelo St. Louis5 carries, 22 yards
ReceivingKeshon Singleton1 reception, 17 yards
IndianaPassing Fernando Mendoza 19/20, 270 yards, 5 TD
RushingKhobie Martin11 carries, 109 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Omar Cooper Jr. 10 receptions, 207 yards, 4 TD

at No. 5 Montana

Indiana State Sycamores (2–1) vs. No. 5 Montana Grizzlies (2–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Sycamores7001320
No. 5 Grizzlies1421141463

at Washington–Grizzly Stadium, Missoula, MT

  • Date: September 20
  • Game time: 3:00 PM
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Trey Bender (play-by-play), Jordan Tripp (analyst) and Kyle Hansen (sideline)
StatisticsINSTMONT
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Indiana StatePassingKeegan Patterson
RushingNick Osho
ReceivingRashad Rochelle
MontanaPassingKealii Ah Yat
RushingEli Gillman
ReceivingMichael Wortham

at No. 10 Southern Illinois

Indiana State Sycamores (2–2) vs. No. 10 Southern Illinois Salukis (3–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Sycamores776727
No. 10 Salukis211771055

at Saluki Stadium, Carbondale, IL

  • Date: October 4
  • Game time: 7:00 PM
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Larry Larson (play-by-play) and Kerry Martin (analyst)
StatisticsINSTSIU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Indiana StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Southern IllinoisPassing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 23 South Dakota

No. 23 South Dakota Coyotes (3–3) vs. Indiana State Sycamores (2–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 23 Coyotes----0
Sycamores----0

at Memorial Stadium, Terre Haute, IN

  • Date: October 11
  • Game time: 1:00 PM
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Brendan King (play-by-play) and Austin Osborne (analyst)
StatisticsSDAKINST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
South DakotaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Indiana StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 1 North Dakota State

No. 1 North Dakota State Bison (6–0) vs. Indiana State Sycamores (2–4) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 1 Bison010141438
Sycamores70007

at Memorial Stadium, Terre Haute, IN

  • Date: October 18
  • Game time: 1:00 PM
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 55 °F (13 °C)
  • Game attendance: 3,252
  • Referee: Grant Henderson
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Dom Izzo (play-by-play), Phil Hansen (analyst) and Noah Gindorff (sideline)
Game information
First Quarter
  • (4:11) INST – Nick Osho 3-yard run, Sebastian Lopez kick (Drive: 14 plays, 97 yards, 6:21; Indiana State 7–0)
Second Quarter
  • (13:38) NDSU – Truman Werremeyer 3-yard pass from Cole Payton, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:33; Tied 7–7)
  • (1:44) NDSU – Eli Ozick 54-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 19 yards, 1:56; North Dakota State 10–7)
Third Quarter
  • (14:44) NDSU – Cole Payton 3-yard run, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 1 play, 3 yards, 0:04; North Dakota State 17–7)
  • (7:27) NDSU – Barika Kpeenu 15-yard run, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 5:25; North Dakota State 24–7)
Fourth Quarter
  • (14:24) NDSU – DJ Scott 18-yard run, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 10 plays, 88 yards, 5:43; North Dakota State 31–7)
  • (8:26) NDSU – Barika Kpeenu 1-yard run, Eli Ozick kick (Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 4:40; North Dakota State 38–7)
StatisticsNDSUINST
First downs2610
Total yards444192
Rushing yards28385
Passing yards161107
Passing: Comp–Att–Int13–20–114–24–1
Time of possession37:1922:41
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
North Dakota StatePassing Cole Payton 12/18, 149 yards, TD, INT
RushingBarika Kpeenu23 carries, 113 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Bryce Lance 4 receptions, 74 yards
Indiana StatePassingKeegan Patterson14/24, 107 yards, INT
RushingNick Osho16 carries, 48 yards, TD
ReceivingZack Drawdy Jr.3 receptions, 49 yards

at No. 8 North Dakota

Indiana State Sycamores (2–5) vs. No. 8 North Dakota Fighting Hawks (5–2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Sycamores----0
No. 8 Fighting Hawks----0

at Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND

  • Date: October 25
  • Game time: 4:00 PM
  • Game weather: Indoors; 70 °F (21 °C)
  • TV: ESPN+
StatisticsINSTUND
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Indiana StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
North DakotaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at South Dakota State

Indiana State Sycamores (0–0) vs. South Dakota State Jackrabbits (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Sycamores----0
Jackrabbits----0

at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, Brookings, SD

  • Date: November 1
  • Game time: 3:00 PM
  • TV: ESPN+
StatisticsINSTSDST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Indiana StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
South Dakota StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

Illinois State

Illinois State Redbirds (0–0) vs. Indiana State Sycamores (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Redbirds----0
Sycamores----0

at Memorial Stadium, Terre Haute, IN

  • Date: November 8
  • Game time: 1:00 PM
  • TV: ESPN+
StatisticsILSTINST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Illinois StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Indiana StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Youngstown State

Indiana State Sycamores (0–0) vs. Youngstown State Penguins (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Sycamores----0
Penguins----0

at Stambaugh Stadium, Youngstown, OH

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time: 12:00 PM
  • TV: ESPN+
StatisticsINSTYSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Indiana StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Youngstown StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

Murray State

Murray State Racers (0–0) vs. Indiana State Sycamores (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Racers----0
Sycamores----0

at Memorial Stadium, Terre Haute, IN

  • Date: November 22
  • Game time: 1:00 PM
  • TV: ESPN+
StatisticsMURINST
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Murray StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving
Indiana StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

References

  1. "Like Father, Like Son: How Indiana State Coach Curt Mallory Embraces Bill Mallory's Values". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  2. "Missouri Valley Football Announces predicted order of finish". valley-football.org. Missouri Valley Football Conference. July 21, 2025. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  3. "2025 Indiana State Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 30, 2025.