BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football’s spring game didn’t overstay its welcome.
The short-handed Hoosiers played a two quarter scrimmage on Thursday night at Memorial Stadium with a modified scoring format that pitted the offense (Crimson) against the defense (Cream). The Crimson won 26-13 thanks to solid performance from IU’s field goal kicking unit.
Radicic went 3 of 3 and hit a 50-yarder that would have been a career-high in a real game. Troy Transfer Paddy McAteer connected on a 56-yarder that had enough leg behind it for it to be good from 60-plus.
The biggest celebration of the night came in the opening minutes when a buzz spread throughout the crowd as fans got notifications on their phones that former starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza went No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Hoosiers showed the moment during a stoppage of play on the jumbotron.
More: Indiana football QB Fernando Mendoza goes No. 1 overall to Las Vegas
Fans get in line for free tee shirts, keychains and more during the Indiana football spring game at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, April 23, 2026.Fans pose with the championship trophies, including the National Championship, during the Indiana football spring game at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, April 23, 2026.The free tee shirts fans received during the Indiana football spring game at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, April 23, 2026.Memorial Stadium before the Indiana football spring game at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, April 23, 2026.Fans take pictures of the championship trophies, including the National Championship, during the Indiana football spring game at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, April 23, 2026.1 / 5Take a look at photos from the Indiana University spring football gameFans get in line for free tee shirts, keychains and more during the Indiana football spring game at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, April 23, 2026.1 / 5Take a look at photos from the Indiana University spring football gameFans get in line for free tee shirts, keychains and more during the Indiana football spring game at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, April 23, 2026.2 / 5Take a look at photos from the Indiana University spring football gameFans pose with the championship trophies, including the National Championship, during the Indiana football spring game at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, April 23, 2026.3 / 5Take a look at photos from the Indiana University spring football gameThe free tee shirts fans received during the Indiana football spring game at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, April 23, 2026.4 / 5Take a look at photos from the Indiana University spring football gameMemorial Stadium before the Indiana football spring game at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, April 23, 2026.5 / 5Take a look at photos from the Indiana University spring football gameFans take pictures of the championship trophies, including the National Championship, during the Indiana football spring game at Memorial Stadium on Thursday, April 23, 2026.Indiana football’s offense gets incomplete grade in spring gameIndiana football’s expected starting quarterback Josh Hoover had a pedestrian performance in his Hoosiers debut going 6 of 14 for 94 yards. He had a pair of deep throws — one to Davion Chandler and another to Morris — but few other highlights to speak of.
That shouldn’t necessarily be a cause of concern for IU fans.
It’s important to note he was playing behind a makeshift first-team offensive line that had multiple starters sideline. Starting left tackle Carter Smith missed all of camp while right guard Bray Lynch sat out as he recovers from an offseason procedure he had down on his ankle. Baylor Wilkin, who spent the entire spring practice repping with the first-team offense in place of Smith, was also sidelined. Indiana’s defense also didn’t have to face receiver Charlie Becker, who would have likely put some stress on the secondary.
It’s also worth pointing out that Kurtis Rourke and Fernando Mendoza didn’t exactly light it up in the spring game either.
Just as Mendoza’s name was called, Grant Wilson rolled out of the pocket to his left, faking a run that ultimately resulted in a 75-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Morris. The second-team defensive bit on the fake leaving Morris wide open down field. The touchdown gave the Crimson team a 7-3 in the opening minutes.
Morris ended up leading all receivers with four catches for 114 yards with a score. The performance highlighted his return from the torn ACL he suffered last year at the start of spring camp. He gives Indiana a solid option in the slot with experience (34 career games).
Indiana showed its depth on the defensive line with both its first- and second-team groups controlling the point of attack. The defense combined for three sacks and nine tackles for loss in the spring game. Mario Landino had the first sack of the night, but plenty of guys down the two-deep made an impact as well like when redshirt freshman Tyrone Burrus Jr. had a late sack.
Late in the first quarter, they generated a consistent push against the first-team’s offense to pick up a red zone stop. The sequence starter after Indiana running back Turbo Richard gave the offense first-and-goal at the 4-yard line. Landino had an answer by tackling Richard behind the line of scrimmage on the next snap.
Hoover had to throw it out of the back of the end zone on second down in the face of pressure from Tulsa transfer Joe Hjelle. Hjelle ran underneath Chiddi Obiazor on a twist that opened up a direct lane to the quarterback. Hoover threw a near interception on third down with a blitzer coming free off the edge.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Indiana’s front seven will once again be a strength for the team this season.
1st 12:36 DEF: Forced turnover on downs, CREAM 3, CRIMSON 0
1st 12:36 OFF: Wilson, Grant 75 pass to Morris, Tyler (Nicolas Radicic extra point): CRIMSON 7, CREAM 3
1st 10:27 DEF: Forced turnover on downs, CRIMSON 7, CREAM 6
1st 7:29 Forced turnover on downs, CRIMSON 7, CREAM 6
1st :18 OFF: Radicic, Nicolas 25 field goal, CRIMSON 10, CREAM 6