With arguably the most important game of the regular-season coming up for the Ducks, here's five players to know about for the Indiana Hoosiers.
Entering Week 7, the Oregon Ducks face the best team left on their schedule — and arguably the best on their entire regular-season schedule, as the Penn State Nittany Lions fell to 3-2 after a dispiriting loss to the UCLA Bruins.
That team is the Indiana Hoosiers, who surprised the nation a year ago in finishing the regular-season with an 11-1 record and making the program's first appearance in the College Football Playoff. Though they were handled, 27-17, by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first round, head coach Curt Cignetti brought in reinforcements with the hope that the 2025 team would be even better.
If early returns prove true, Cignetti certainly achieved his goal.
He brought in what's turning into one of the top transfer portal classes in the country — but that's not to say a slew of contributors from a season ago didn't return, as a majority of the defense, offensive line and pass-catching units are all returnees.
Let's check out five players that Ducks fan will need to know ahead of Oregon's Week 7 bout with the Hoosiers.
QB Fernando Mendoza
Beginning his first season at Cal, Mendoza has excelled in offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan's offense after transferring to Indiana this offseason. A season after throwing 16 touchdowns to six interceptions, he's totaled 16 interceptions to just one interception this season — and that's through just five games. At 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Mendoza stands tall in the pocket and is a tremendous processor when given time, delivering accurate passes all over the field. His growth has vaulted him into the conversation of the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft alongside Oregon's Dante Moore.
RB Roman Hemby
Indiana's most reliable running back, Hemby also transferred to Indiana after four seasons at Maryland. The 6-foot, 208-pounder isn't the most physical of backs, but gets the job done between the tackles when needed. Where he excels is on the outside, as he has the speed to beat defenders' angles and carry the ball for significant gains. Though he hasn't reached the end zone yet this season, it's only a matter of time before he does.
WR Elijah Sarratt
One part of the Hoosiers' two-headed monster at wide receiver alongside Omar Cooper Jr., Sarratt is Mendoza's go-to target in critical moments. He was a third-team All-Big Ten selection last season and has been even better in 2025, catching 31 passes for 412 yards and six touchdowns. With elite body control on passes downfield and an innate ability to run after the catch, Sarratt has the entire package at the wide receiver position and is expected to be one of the top receivers selected in the 2026 draft.
LB Aidan Fisher
Fisher is the quarterback of the defense; the entire unit looks to him for his leadership and knowledge. Though he hasn't necessarily impressed on the stat sheet this season, largely due to the strong personnel around him, Fisher is a tackling machine, recording 108 and 118 tackles in 2023 and 2024, respectively. He's widely considered one of the top linebackers in the Big Ten.
CB D'Angelo Ponds
Though he missed Indiana's last game against Iowa with an injury, Ponds is expected to be back for Indiana's bout with Oregon. At just 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, Ponds relies on his next-level athleticism and instincts to make up for his lack of size. A first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2024 and a preseason All-American selection this year, the Hoosiers know they can count on their top cornerback to make plays and do his part in taking away a side of the field.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Five Hoosiers that Duck fans should know ahead of Week 7
Category: General Sports
