The smell of pigskin and fresh cut grass is in the air, signaling the beginning of college football season.
Here's what you need to know about Indiana college football teams ahead of the 2026 season.
Butler focused on details in Year 2 under Kevin LynchLast Season (FCS): 6-6, (4-4 Pioneer League).
Coach: Kevin Lynch (second season, 6-6).
Key Returners (2025 stats): QB Reagan Andrew (151-223 1,553 yards, 12 touchdowns to 6 INTs; 615 yards rushing, 8 TDs), OL Charles Mackley; WR Nick Munson (30 catches, 234 yards, 1 TD); WR Chet Yardley (13 catches, 122 yards, 1 TD); DL Okemdi Eze (6 tackles, 3 TFLs, 3 sacks); LB Mason Armstrong (65 tackles, 10 TFLs, 1 sack); LB Jackson Stratton (28 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 7.5 sacks); DB Steven Stephany (31 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT).
Outlook: Kevin Lynch — the son of former Butler, Ball State and IU coach Bill Lynch — left Ball State where he served as the Cardinals assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach to take over for former Butler coach Mike Uremovich when left for Ball State. The Dawgs' rushing-based offense runners quarterback Reagan Andrew but will have several new faces in the running backs room. Dartmouth transfer Desmin Jackson and Northwestern transfer Albert Kunicikis III are the leading candidates for backfield touches. Southern Illinois transfer Zac Willingham-Davis, redshirt sophomore Jack Weybright and sophomores Michael Dellumo and Keaton Jones will also receive playing time at running back. Sophomore defensive lineman Okemdi Eze showed potential as a true freshman. Mason Armstrong and Jackson Stratton lead a talented linebacking group. The Dawgs fell from 9-3 in Uremovich's final season to 6-6 in Lynch's debut, but three of Butler's five losses were one-score losses. With another season at the helm, and an increased emphasis on winning the turnover battle, Lynch is hoping Butler can take another step forward as a program.
Quotable: “We finished minus-7 in the turnover margin. … If we flip that script, which we can control, we're not talking about a .500 season, we're probably talking about a championship season. So that's something that is obviously on the forefront. Offensively, we’ve got to be more explosive. We've got to score more touchdowns. We settled for too many field goals. That's going to be a focus for us. Just knowing about the league and knowing a lot of people that coached in it, it's going to be very competitive each week, and a new team can come out of it every year. So, take care of some of those details and clean some of those things up, and I think that we could have a special year," Lynch said.
Schedule: Georgetown College (KY), 1 p.m., Aug. 29; at Montana State 8:30 p.m., Sept. 5; Franklin, 6 p.m., Sept. 12; Chicago State, 1 p.m., Sept. 19; at Valparaiso, 2 p.m., Sept. 26; San Diego, 1 p.m., Oct. 10; Dayton, 1 p.m., Oct. 17; at Drake, 1 p.m., Oct. 24; at Presbyterian, 1 p.m., Oct. 31; St. Thomas, 1 p.m., Nov. 7; at Marist, noon, Nov. 14; Morehead State, 1 p.m., Nov. 21.
Franklin hopes to continue turnaround in Year 2 under Mike LeonardLast Season (Division III): 5-5 (3-3 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference)
Coach: Mike Leonard (second season, second stint, 134-60)
Key Returners (2025 stats): QB Marshall Kmiecik (221-374, 2,891 yards, 29 TDs to 10 INTs; 238 yards rushing, 5 TDs); OL Isaak Fischer, WR Isaiah Miller (31 catches, 470 yards, 2 TDs), DL Ethan Hochstetler (27 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1 sack); LB Brayden Baker (64 tackles, 9 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT); LB Haden Durnil (82 tackles, 6 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT), DB Haidyn Bulmer (53 tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 INTs, Michael Loehmer (39 tackles, 0.5 TFLs, 1 INT).
Outlook: Longtime coach Mike Leonard returned to Franklin after five years away and helped the Grizzlies improve by two wins in 2025. Kmiecik earned All-HCAC honors as a sophomore. The Grizzlies have an open competition at running back, but returner Nelson Honore will get carries. Leading tacklers Durnil and Baker return to lead a stout front seven. Safeties Bulmer and Loehmer bring experience back in the secondary.
Quotable: "I'm in the same office, same desk, but I'm working with different coaches. Some I'm familiar with, and some of them I hadn't been familiar with, but they're great guys, and it makes it fun to come into work every day of the year because of the attitudes of the guys, and they're just fun to work with. But every year is different. No matter how many years you've been coaching, the dynamics of the team is different, and you just never stop learning. Every day, every week there's something new that hits you that you hadn't really been down that road before. So that's what makes life fun, and that's what makes this coaching thing interesting," Leonard said.
Schedule: North Park, 6 p.m., Sept. 5; at Butler, 6 p.m., Sept. 12; Calvin, 1:30 p.m., Sept. 19; at Rose-Hulman, 2 p.m., Oct. 3; Mount St. Joseph, 1:30 p.m., Oct. 10; at Manchester, 1:30 p.m., Oct. 17; at Bluffton, 1:30 p.m., Oct. 24; Muskingum, 1:30 p.m., Oct. 31; Anderson, 1:30 p.m., Nov. 7; Hanover, 1:30 p.m., Nov. 14.
Scott Ballentine, offensive line leads the way for DePauwLast Season (Division III): 10-2 (7-1, NCAC)
Coach: Brett Dietz (sixth season, 51-9)
Key Returners (2025 stats):QB Scott Ballentine (254-385, 3,234 yards, 34 TDs to 7 INTs; 78 yards rushing, 2 TDs); OL Bennett Smith; TE Palmer Samuels (38 catches, 451 yards, 5 TDs); RB Carson Johnson (441 yards rushing, 4 TDs; 14 catches, 159 yards, 2 TDs); DL Chris Green (21 tackles, eight TFLs, 4.5 sacks); LB Toreeq Jimoh-Oyesigi (48 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 1 INT); DB Harry Pratt (23 tackles, 1 INT).
Outlook: For the first time in 104 years, the Monon Bell Game between DePauw and Wabash will be played at a neutral site as Ball State's Scheumann Stadium will host the 132nd game of the series due to renovations at DePauw. Change of venue aside, the Tigers return several key players in All-NCAC quarterback Ballentine, All-Region tight end Samuels and five offensive linemen with starting experience led by All-Region left guard Smith. The continuity on offense combined with talented returners on a defense that allowed just 15.7 points per game last season has the Tigers poised for their third-straight 10-win season.
Quotable: "It all starts up front. Having guys that have all started games before, between our left guard, our center (Zach Kerr), they've started a ton of games combined. So, those guys are kind of the leaders, both from example, but also our vocal leaders as well. So, to have what we call the middle of your offense back is huge, so we're going to rely on those guys," Dietz said.
Schedule: at Rose-Hulman, 7 p.m., Sept. 5; at WashU, 2 p.m., Sept. 12; Ohio Wesleyan, 1 p.m., Sept. 19, at Kenyon, 1 p.m., Sept. 26; Oberlin, 1 p.m., Oct. 3; Denison, 1 p.m., Oct. 17; at Wittenberg, 2 p.m., Oct. 24; John Carroll, 1 p.m., Oct. 31; at Wooster, 1 p.m., Nov. 7; Wabash (at Ball State), 1:07 p.m., Nov. 14.
IWU is trusting the processLast Season (NAIA): 9-3, (5-0, Mid-States Football Association Mideast)
Coach: Andrew Rode (fourth season, 30-7)
Key Returners (2025 stats): QB Arjun Lothe (244-395, 3,938 yards 41 TDs to 12 INTs; 1 rushing TD); RB Ryan Whitwell (289 yards rushing, 2 TDs); TE Simon Vinson (40 catches, 637 yards, 7 TDs); WR Braxton Myers (24 catches, 490 yards, 4 TDs), OL Logan Penhollow, DL Garrett Hathaway (30 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks), LB Terry Sylvester (71 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 0.5 sacks, 1 INT).
Outlook: Indiana Wesleyan returns nine of 11 offensive starters led by uber-productive quarterback Lothe. Running back Whitwell is back and healthy. He rushed for 1,157 yards in 2024 but played just two games last season. The Wildcats have experience along the front seven but will break in several new players in the secondary. IWU has won four MSFA league titles and is the preseason favorite to win the league once again.
Quotable: “I think our goals and expectations are simpler and probably more process oriented than (winning) a game. We want to have success on the field, but I think all that success comes. What we talk about is are you going to bring your best every day? Are we growing and fixing mistakes from one day, making new mistakes the next day, but then fixing those and learning and growing every day? So, I think our goal is to be a team that plays really smart football, really mentally and physically tough football, really fast football, and a team that plays relentlessly," Rode said.
Schedule: Dordt, 6 p.m., Aug. 28; at St. Francis (IL), 2 p.m., Sept. 5; Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, 6 p.m., Sept. 12; at Saint Xavier (IL), 7 p.m., Sept. 19; Judson, noon, Oct. 3; at Marian, 1:05 p.m., Oct. 10; at Defiance, 1 p.m., Oct. 17; Madonna (MI), 4 p.m., Oct. 24; Taylor, noon, Oct. 31; Saint Francis (IN), noon, Nov. 7; at Lawrence Tech (MI), 1 p.m., Nov. 14.
Who will be Indiana State's QB1?Last Season (FCS): 3-9 (1-7, Missouri Valley)
Coach: Curt Mallory, (10th season 27-61)
Key Returners (2025 stats): QB Elijah Owens (27-59, 317 yards, 3 TDs to 1 INT; 157 yards rushing); OL Drew Page; WR Keshon Singleton (25 catches, 284 yards, 2 TDs); DL Jayden Childers (18 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 INT); LB Braxton Sampson (68 tackles, 6 TFLs, 1 sack), DB Nic Yatsko (75 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 1 INT).
Outlook: Indiana State hasn't had a winning season since 2018 — Mallory's second season at the helm — but the Sycamores are hopeful key returners on both sides of the ball will turn the program around. Redshirt sophomore Owens returns at quarterback after suffering a season-ended injury in ISU's second game last season. He'll be in competition with 2021 Mr. Football winner, former Louisville and Purdue quarterback Brady Allen. ISU took its lumps with several new starters on defense, now young players like safety Yatsko have transitioned into experienced contributors. Freshman defensive back Desmond Palmer (New Palestine) and freshman defensive lineman Nathaniel Onoja (Avon) will be key contributors as well.
Quotable: "With the transfer portal being one window, you had a pretty good idea what your team was going to look like in January. So, you're able to bring that continuity together throughout spring ball, and then any guys that joined us, maybe they were new, maybe they were transfers, but most of them being freshmen, being able to work with them all summer it just gets your team even closer," Mallory said.
Schedule: SEMO, 6 p.m., Aug. 29; at Purdue, 7 p.m., Sept. 4; at Eastern Illinois, 7 p.m., Sept. 12; Valparaiso, 1 p.m., Sept. 19; North Dakota, 1 p.m., Sept. 26; at South Dakota, 4 p.m., Oct. 3; Youngstown State, 1 p.m., Oct. 10; at Illinois State, 4 p.m., Oct. 24; at Northern Iowa, 2 p.m., Oct. 31; Southern Illinois, 6 p.m., Nov. 7; Murray State, 1 p.m., Nov. 14.; at South Dakota State, 3 p.m., Nov. 21.
Taylor looking to run its way to a conference titleLast Season (NAIA): 7-4, (4-1 MSFA Mideast)
Coach: Aaron Mingo (five season, 23-21)
Key Returners (2025 stats): OL Hayden McDonald; OL Jonathan Grubbs; RB Nathan Parker (1,360 yards, 21 TDs; 8 catches, 101 yards); TE Nathan Munson (14 catches, 364 yards, 5 TDs); LB Maverick Brown (66 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 2 INTs); LB Grady Stanley (54 tackles, 7 TFLs, 1 sack, 3 INTs); DB Reid Messer (51 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT); DB David Worlds (43 tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 INTs).
Outlook: Taylor's offense averaged a whopping 304 yards rushing per game utilizing an option attack and a stout offensive line. Former All-American left tackle Grubbs has been a full participant throughout the offseason and will be ready to go Week 1 after tearing his ACL after six games into last season. At 6 foot 5, 310 pounds, Grubbs has great size and strength. Fellow All-American center McDonald (6-3, 300 pounds), is another talented lineman responsible for opening lanes for conference rushing leader Parker. Sophomore quarterback Alex Amburgy filled in well for injured starter Damon Hockett, scoring 12 touchdowns over eight games. He'll be in competition with Kyle Stratton for the starting quarterback spot. With a dominant running game and experienced returners on offense, Taylor could challenge Indiana Wesleyan for the top spot in the conference.
Quotable: "It starts up front, as it does for every offense, whether you're a spread pass attack or like we are, where we're more of a spread triple option attack. Our ability to hand the ball off to stay on schedule is really how the offense runs, and if we can't do that, then it makes things a lot more difficult, and if we can do that, we usually find ways to score lots of points. That ability to stay on schedule opens up all the explosive play opportunities that we like to take advantage of, and so we feel really good. We have an offensive line that has a lot of experience, a lot of age, and a lot of talent, and they care about each other, and they trust each other, and they've played a lot of games together," Mingo said.
Schedule: at Olivet Nazarene, 8 p.m., Aug. 27; Saint Xavier (IL), 7 p.m., Sept. 5; at St. Francis (IL), 3 p.m., Sept. 12; at Union, noon, Sept. 19; at Marian, 1:05 p.m., Oct. 3; St. Mary-of-the-Woods, 7 p.m., Oct. 10; Lawrence Tech (MI), 1 p.m., Oct. 17; Defiance, 7 p.m., Oct. 24; at Indiana Wesleyan, noon, Oct. 31; Madonna, 2 p.m., Nov. 7; at Saint Francis (IN), 1 p.m., Nov. 14.
Wabash getting improved continuity in Year 2 under coach Jake GilbertLast Season (Division III): 9-2 (6-2 NCAC)
Coach: Jake Gilbert (9-2, second season)
Key Returners (2025 stats): QB Brand Campbell (148-240, 2,121 yards, 21 TDs to 6 INTs; 258 yards rushing, 6 TDs); RB Cole Dickerson (351 yards rushing, 5 TDs), OL Jax Bauer, OL Atticus Blank, WR Luke Adams (61 catches, 904 yards, 9 TDs); DL Trevor Ings (16 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 0.5 sacks); DL Samuel Poriah (32 tackles, 6 TFLs, 2.5 sacks), William Harris (55 tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 INTs); LB Dakota Johnson (22 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks); DB Will Freeman (32 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 1 sack); DB Gage Gulley (36 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 2 INTs).
Outlook: Wabash improved from 8-2 to 9-2 in coach Jake Gilbert's first year at the helm. Quarterback Campbell is entering his third year as a starter for the Little Giants. They must replace talented running back Xavier Tyler, but Dickerson is an experienced ball carrier and he'll be running behind an experienced offensive line. The strength of Wabash's defense is its front seven led by linebackers Harris and Johnson. Winning the Monon Bell Game and winning the conference are always Wabash's top priorities. The Little Giants will face increased competition from NCAC newcomer Washington University in St. Louis, but with another season to implement his system, Gilbert believes the program is heading on an upward trajectory.
Quotable: "This will be another year where the guys we've been able to recruit have gotten older and bigger and faster and stronger and more experienced in the scheme, so I feel pretty good about that. I think the culture we're building continues to strengthen, and the way we do things continues to strengthen. We work together as a staff a little better, definitely on the defense side of the ball because this is another year where we've done it together, and so I feel good about that. The special teams changes we've made, this will be year two for that, and so I feel much better about the big things. There's a little bit of fine tuning still to do, but I feel much better about the big things that we put in place last year: recruiting, strength programs, the defense — all of it," Gilbert said.
Schedule: Hampden-Sydney, noon, Sept. 5; Wittenberg, 1 p.m., Sep. 12; at Oberlin, noon, Sept. 19; Wooster, 2 p.m., Sept. 26; at Denison, 1 p.m., Oct. 3; at John Carroll, time TBA, Oct. 17; WashU, 1 p.m., Oct. 24; at Ohio Wesleyan, 1 p.m., Oct. 31; Kenyon, 1 p.m., Nov. 7; DePauw (at Ball State), 1:07 p.m., Nov. 14.
Marian turning the page on ugly ending to 2025 seasonLast Season (NAIA): 8-4, (3-2 MSFA Midwest)
Coach: Ted Karras Jr. (fourth season, second stint 93-80)
Key Returners (2025 stats): OL Trenton Allen; OL Andre Dumas; OL Reece Byerly; WR Montasi Clay (17 catches, 253 yards, 1 TD); DL Darian Dixon (41 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 1 INT); DL Luke Swartz (33 tackles, 6 TFLs, 2.5 sacks); Cade Houseman (103 tackles, 8 TFLs, 0.5 sacks, 1 INT); LB Wyatt Woodall (88 tackles, 8 TFLs, 1.5 sacks); DB JT Downey (68 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT).
Outlook: Marian heads into the 2026 season as the preseason favorite to win the MSFA Midwest League. The Knights put together a dominant 2025 season before an eligibility issue caused the school to forfeit its last four games. Few NAIA schools amass the talent Marian boasts, bringing in Division I transfers and elevating players to the Division I level. Former Knights Isaiah Street (Ohio) and Ozzy Pollard (Hawaii) starred along the defensive line last season. Despite losing high-end talents, Dixon and Swartz return to anchor the defensive line. Houseman and Woodall are experienced linebackers. Downey leads a talented secondary. The Knights are breaking in new starters at quarterback and running back. Redshirt juniors R.J. Griffin and Ben Schoster and redshirt sophomore Jacob Dunn are competing for the QB1 spot. Redshirt sophomore Uriah Buchanan, redshirt senior Hunter Newman and sophomore CJ Harris are the leading candidates for touches at running back. Clay is the Knights' top returning pass catcher. Converted receiver Matthias Pilkington could be in line for a bigger role at tight end. Former Miami (Ohio) tight end Jeffrey Simmons (Fishers) is in his second season with the program.
Quotable: "Yes, that was a horrible ending (to last season). Once Aug. 3 hit, all we've talked about is this year. So really, we've had to put it in the past. And like I said, football's a what have you done for me lately business. No one cares about last year at this point, and we got to move forward with the 2026 team," Karras said.
Schedule: at UIndy, 6 p.m., Aug. 27; at Defiance, 1 p.m., Sept. 5; at Saint Francis (IN), 7 p.m., Sept. 12; Madonna (MI), 1:05 p.m., Sept. 19; Taylor, 1:05 p.m., Oct. 3; Indiana Wesleyan, 1:05 p.m., Oct. 10; Olivet Nazarene, 1:05 p.m., Oct. 17; at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, 1 p.m., Oct. 24; at St. Francis (IL), 2 p.m., Oct. 31; Saint Xavier (IN), 1:05 p.m., Nov. 7; at Judson, 2 p.m., Nov. 14.
Nick Patterson exits camp as UIndy's QB1Last Season (Division II): 11-2, (8-0 Great Lakes Valley Conference)
Coach: Chris Keevers (Eighth season, 58-14)
Key Returners (2025 stats):OL Keiveion Anderson, OL Tyler Leopold, RB Juseters Fataki (782 yards rushing, 14 TDs); RB Garrett Sherrell (760 yards rushing, 8 TDs; 46 catches, 563 yards, 5 TDs); Kaleb Carver (27 catches, 511 yards, 6 TDs); DL Julian Dandridge (23 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 2 sacks); LB Alvin Contreras (53 tackles, 8 TFLs, 1 sack, 5 INTs); DB Eli Liapis (85 tackles, 1 TFL, 3 INTs).
Outlook: UIndy is the preseason favorite to win the GLVC but the Greyhounds must replace the uber-productive 2025 Harlon Hill Trophy runner-up and first-team All-American quarterback Gavin Sukup. Former Mooresville quarterback and Saginaw Valley transfer junior Nick Patterson will take over the reins as QB1. At 6-2, 225 pounds, Patterson brings dual-threat ability to the 'Hounds offense as a powerful runner with a strong arm. UIndy's top two rushers are back as well as three of its top four receivers. Left tackle Tyler Leopold (6-5, 322-pounds) is on the NFL's radar. Redshirt junior Luke Chambers (6-5, 255 pounds), is a physical specimen at tight end and back healthy after missing last season with an injury. Contreras and Liapis lead a talented and experienced UIndy defense.
Quotable: "We're going to be a different team. We're not going to drop back and throw it 40 times. It's going to be more of a ground and pound. (Patterson) is a home run hitter. He can throw it deep and does a nice job, and we have guys that can go deep, because we’ve got explosive players everywhere. It'll be explosive, just not quite as opened up. … We've got three backs that are dynamite. So, in that way you play a little bit of a different style of football, but I know we’re going to score points," Keevers said.
Schedule: Marian, 6 p.m., Aug. 27; Findlay, 2 p.m., Sept. 5; at Davenport, noon, Sept. 12; at McKendree, 2 p.m., Sept. 19; Truman, 6 p.m., Sept. 26; at William Jewell, 2 p.m., Oct. 3; Missouri S&T, 6 p.m., Oct. 10; at Lincoln, 1 p.m., Oct. 17; Quincy 2 p.m., Oct. 31; Southwest Baptist, 2 p.m., Nov. 7; at Upper Iowa, 2 p.m., Nov. 14.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Continuity and loaded rosters bolsters college football teams across Indiana
Leave a Comment