TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State football continues the 2026 season with its first road trip of the year as the Sycamores head to Ross-Ade Stadium and West Lafayette, Ind. to take on Purdue University. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET and will be carried live on the Big Ten Network and 105.5 The Legend.
Game Preview
About the Matchup
Friday night's contest marks the eighth meeting all-time between Indiana State and Purdue, and the third in the last five seasons. Purdue leads the all-time series with a 7-0 record against the Sycamores dating back to the inaugural contest in 1926.
The contest features the third time the Sycamores have lined up against the Boilermakers in the
Curt Mallory coaching era with Indiana State previously traveling to Ross-Ade Stadium in both 2022 and 2024. Purdue topped Indiana State in both contests by scores of 56-0 (2022) and 49-0 (2024) to remain undefeated in the series.
Indiana State and Purdue will continue the series in the future with a date in 2029 on the schedule.
Against the Big Ten Conference
Indiana State is currently still searching for its first win all-time against current members of the Big Ten Conference, entering the Friday contest with a 0-21 mark. The Sycamores are 0-5 all-time against Big Ten opponents in the Mallory coaching era after taking on Indiana (twice), Purdue (twice), and Northwestern.
Overall, the Sycamores have lined up against Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Northwestern, Penn State, and Purdue. Indiana State has most frequently lined up against both Indiana (0-8) and Purdue (0-7) over their opponent history.
Last season, the Sycamores lined up against Indiana at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on September 12, 2025. The Hoosiers topped Indiana State 73-0 on their way to the eventual FBS national championship.
Owens Enters Top 10
Indiana State quarterback
Elijah Owens continued his climb in the Sycamores' career annals over this past weekend as the Jacksonville, Ill. native entered the program's Top 10 list in career offensive yards. Owens posted 288 passing yards and 11 rushing yards, giving him 3,467 career offensive yards, achieving the feat in 18 collegiate games played.
Owens' 3,467 career offensive yards moved him past David Wright (3,252 – 1992-94) to put him firmly 10th overall in the career category. Next on the list are former Indiana State quarterbacks Julian Reese (4,109 – 2001-02) and Ronnie Fouch (4,182 – 2011-12).
The redshirt junior quarterback is also nearing entry in Indiana State football's all-time passing list entering the weekend with 2,632 career passing yards following a career-high 288-yard passing effort against SEMO. Pending game play against Purdue, Owens could pass Blayne Baggett (2,741 – 2005), Kyle Frondorf (2,778, 1986-88), Kevin Cox (2,885, 1993-96), and Julian Reese (2,961 – 2001-02) prior to the start of conference competition.
Hayes, Reed Score First Indiana State Touchdowns
Indiana State featured a number of new faces on the offensive side of the ball against SEMO as two Sycamores found paydirt for the first time in the Blue & White in the season opener against the Redhawks.
Ashton Hayes scored his first rushing touchdown of the 2026 season on a one-yard plunge in the third quarter to cap a 10-play, 84-yard drive to pull the Sycamores back within 17-14. Hayes recorded three consecutive carries at the end of the drive, moving the ball from the SEMO 11 into the end zone to record the touchdown.
Jayden Reed also recorded his first touchdown of the 2026 season as the freshman wide receiver hauled in the go-ahead 25-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter. Reed added a 16-yard reception in the third quarter to highlight his first collegiate game.
First Starts in 2026
Indiana State featured several players making their inaugural start on the field with the Sycamores in the 2026 season in the opener against SEMO.
The new starters included returners
Andy Hertlein (OL),
BJ Wuest (WR),
Devin Johnson (DB), and
Mason Keifer (DL) as the veteran group made their debut for the first snap of the 2026 season. Newcomers to the roster that earned their first starts included
Prinz Guitian (OL),
Ashton Hayes (RB),
Tyler Nansel (TE), and
Anthony Walk Jr. (DB).
Follow the Sycamores
For the latest information on Sycamore Football, visit
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