ODU began the 2025 season with a loss, losing 27-14 at the hands of Indiana in Bloomington Saturday afternoon.
Indiana head coach, Curt Cignetti, finally returned to a familiar opponent. As the head coach of James Madison from 2019 to 2023, Cignetti knows the Monarchs well. It was the first time Cignetti faced a Sun Belt opponent since taking the Indiana job at the beginning of the 2024 season.
ODU could not have had a better start. On the first play of the game, from ODU’s own 25-yard line, quarterback Colton Joseph pulled it down and ran it himself for a 75-yard touchdown.
From that point on, the first quarter seemingly belonged to the Monarchs. The Indiana defense woke up after the big play, not allowing another score for ODU, but ODU’s defense went step-for-step. ODU forced an Indiana turnover-on-downs on its opening drive, then forced a fumble on Indiana’s second. It remained 7-0 for most of the first quarter.
Then, Indiana took control.
ODU’s Ian Brandt let loose for a 56-yard punt at the end of the first quarter, forcing Indiana’s Jonathan Brady to field it at his own 9-yard line. Brady decided not to signal for a fair catch and instead took it 91 yards for a punt return touchdown, tying the game at 7-7.
Things started to fall apart for ODU in the second quarter. The ensuing drive after the punt return resulted in an interception, which led to an Indiana field goal. The Hoosiers would score 10 unanswered points in the before the half, taking a 17-7 lead into the break.
Colton Joseph struggled throwing the ball in the season opener. He would finish with just 98 yards passing and three picks, though exploded for 178 yards rushing and both of ODU’s touchdowns. It would not be enough, however, and Indiana would begin the year 1-0.
Indiana’s run game was a problem for the Monarch defense. The Hoosiers combined for 309 yards on the ground, led by tailback Roman Hemby with 111 yards. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza went 18-for-31 with 193 yards passing and a rushing touchdown.
ODU would not get anything going until late in the fourth quarter, when the game was well out of reach.
The Monarchs will head back to Norfolk, Va. to take on NC Central in the home opener in Week 2.
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