Indiana Narrowly Defeats Northwestern in Big Ten Opener

Defending champion Indiana faced a close contest against Northwestern on Friday night, securing a 29-23 victory in the 2026 Big Ten opener. The Hoosiers, favorites by nearly three touchdowns throughout the week, found the game far from straightforward. Surprisingly, they led by a score of 2-0 in the first quarter, a rare occurrence in football.

Indiana struggled for much of the game, holding leads of 2-0, 5-0, 12-0, and 12-7. Northwestern narrowed the score to 22-20 midway through the fourth quarter, making it a tough win for the Hoosiers. Indiana’s head coach, Curt Cignetti, had previously led the team to a national championship and continues to be a notable figure in college football.

Cignetti acknowledged the team’s shaky start, which included consecutive false starts followed by a turnover at the goal line. He likened the first two offensive plays to being ‘Pearl Harbored’. These kinds of memorable quotes have become a hallmark of Cignetti’s tenure.

Cignetti’s leadership at Indiana transformed the Hoosiers into a competitive program, earning them a national title. Despite their success, Cignetti is aware of the challenges ahead, with games against Michigan and Ohio State in October. The Hoosiers may have coasted through the early season, but the upcoming matchups will test the team’s calibre.