We're exactly midway through the month of October means it’s exactly midway through the college football regular season, and No. 3 ranked Indiana Hoosiers are well represented on some midseason watch lists by major publications across the country.
On Saturday, Indiana upset then top three ranked Oregon 30–20 to snap the Ducks’ 18-game home winning streak. The Hoosiers are currently 6–0 and ranked No. 3 in this week’s Associated Press and Coaches poll, the highest ranking in program history.
A total of six players including: wide receiver Elijah Sarratt, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, linebacker Aiden Fisher, defensive lineman Mikail Kamara, offensive tackle Carter Smith and cornerback D'Angelo Ponds were named midseason All-Americans.
Indiana had three players on The Athletic's Midseason All-American Team: Offensive Tackle Carter Smith (first-team), Quarterback Fernando Mendoza (second-team) and Cornerback D'Angelo Ponds (second-team). The Hoosiers' three selections are tied for the fourth-most with Miami and Oregon, while Ohio State (five), Texas A&M (five) and Texas Tech (four) are the only teams with more Midseason All-Americans.
On Sports Illustrated's Midseason All-America list Indiana had five players honored, either on the first- or second-team, including Mendoza, Ponds and wide receiver Elijah Sarratt. Other Hoosiers to earn honors to the Midseason All-American First Team were Mikial Kamara and defensive end and Aiden Fisher were named to the second-team.
Aiden Fisher was key to the Hoosiers’ upset in Eugene, Oregon this past weekend with a game-high 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Kamara, a Preseason All-American, numbers have dipped from 2024 but his 2025 season has been stellar. He ranks second on the team in pressures and has 10 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and one pass breakup.
Ponds played in 94 of 95 snaps on Saturday in the win over Oregon. Ponds has been banged up this season but has produced 15 tackles, 3 TFL and 1 interception. Opposing quarterbacks have not thrown his way much this season.
Carter Smith was honored as the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week, awarded to the nation's top offensive lineman after his performance against Oregon. Smith, a third-year starter, allowed zero pressures on 38 pass-block snaps against Oregon while receiving an elite 87.0 overall grade according to Pro Football Focus.
Elijah Sarratt has (7) touchdown receptions, he's third in receiving yards per game (88.8), and fourth in receiving yards (533). Last year's second team All-Big Ten performer, according to the AP, finished with 121 yards and 1 game winning touchdown in the 4th quarter.
Mr. Heisman favorite Fernando Mendoza has a 71.2 percent completion rate, 1,423 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, two interceptions and an 84.6 QB rating which ranks seventh nationally.
Indiana host Michigan State at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday in Bloomington for their Homecoming weekend.