Injuries, DL Kamara, RB Hemby’s return: What to know ahead of Indiana football vs. Maryland
Indiana football rattled off eight consecutive wins to start the 2025 season. Now, the Hoosiers have just four games left.
A Big Ten Championship Game berth is on the line. So is a second consecutive College Football Playoff appearance.
First, the Cream and Crimson are tasked with a road matchup against Maryland at 3:30 p.m. Saturday inside SECU Stadium in College Park, Maryland.
Here’s what to know ahead of Saturday:
Senior linebacker Aiden Fisher kick-started Indiana’s 56-6 drubbing of UCLA on Oct. 25 with a pick-six on the second play from scrimmage of the game. On the Bruins’ ensuing possession, however, he appeared to suffer a knee injury while attempting to help make a tackle.
Fisher sported a brace on his left knee, staying in the contest for UCLA’s third possession. Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti then opted to pull Fisher out of the game for “more precautionary” reasons.
During his press conference Monday, Cignetti said he’d list Fisher as “questionable” for Indiana’s matchup with Maryland on Saturday. In Fisher’s absence, the in-helmet coach-to-player communication moved to redshirt junior linebacker Isaiah Jones.
Cignetti also said specialist Brendan Franke is “questionable.” The sixth-year senior fell to the ground after booming a ball downfield following the opening kickoff against UCLA. He was helped off the field with an undisclosed injury.
Cignetti challenges DL Kamara
At Big Ten Football Media Days in late July, sixth-year senior defensive lineman Mikail Kamara laid out his lofty goals. Not only did he want to set the program’s single-season sack record, which is currently 16, but he wanted to reach 20 sacks.
In his first season in Bloomington, Kamara racked up 10 sacks and 15 tackles for loss en route to earning first-team All-Big Ten honors. He was also named to The Associated Press’ third-team All-America before opting to return to Indiana instead of entering the NFL draft.
But through eight games this season, Kamara has notched just one sack. He has three total tackles for loss and three quarterback hurries.
“I think production numbers speak for themselves,” Cignetti said. “I think he’s got another level he can play at. And I’m waiting to see it.”
In total, the Hoosiers’ defense has accumulated 29 sacks and 73 tackles for loss.
RB Hemby makes return to Maryland
Redshirt senior running back Roman Hemby played four seasons at Maryland before entering the transfer portal in mid-December 2024. A week later, Hemby committed to Indiana.
Through eight games, Hemby gained 513 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 107 carries. He’s also caught 10 passes for 131 yards receiving.
Now, the Edgewood, Maryland, native — who shares the backfield with sixth-year senior Kaelon Black — makes his homecoming Saturday.
“Both those guys are redshirt seniors that have had a lot of football in front of them, big tool boxes in protection and (they’re) experienced,” Maryland head coach Mike Locksley said in a press conference Monday. “It shows up because in critical situations, you see those guys being very familiar with being able to make plays when they need them.”
Why Locksley didn’t retain RB Hemby, injured DL Wyatt
Hemby and senior defensive lineman Kellan Wyatt both transferred to Indiana from Maryland.
“They’ve got two guys that started for me a year ago that I would have had to make a decision on whether I overpay for them because the market demanded it,” Locksley said on “The Sports Junkies” on 106.7 The Fan on Tuesday.
“We had to make tough decisions on guys like Roman Hemby and Kellan Wyatt,” Locksley said. “I mean, if I had the money to be able to pay them at that time, there’s no doubt those guys would have wanted to remain here as Terps.”
Although Wyatt is out with a “long-term” knee injury, Hemby will face off against his former squad. Hemby previously explained after the season opener that Indiana’s culture, environment and overall team is a “breath of fresh air.”
Hemby said he shed tears before Week 1 because he was so grateful to receive what he called a “second chance.”
Cignetti continues stalking complacency
Indiana has an opportunity to improve to 9-0 for the second consecutive season. Its quarterback, redshirt junior Fernando Mendoza, is the current favorite to win the Heisman Trophy at +185, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Still, Cignetti stresses the future. Not what’s in the past.
“My messages to the team are always about staying focused on the here and now and things that affect preparation and positive performance and eliminating the noise and clutter,” Cignetti said.
Black explained Cignetti wants the squad to stay humble and never complacent. It’s what the second-year head coach preaches daily. The message stays in the back of the Hoosiers’ heads, Black said.
“So, whatever we did (in 2024) is last year,” Black said, “but this year we just trying to take it up another notch.”
