In their season opener, Indiana's football team, under new coach Curt Cignetti, displayed a strong defensive performance, holding Florida International to 182 total yards and securing a 31-7 victory. The defense, praised for its speed, physicality, and ability to disrupt, recorded four sacks and limited FIU's run game significantly. Offensively, Indiana had a mixed performance; while the team managed three touchdowns and a field goal in the first half, the second half saw missed opportunities and penalties. Cignetti emphasized the need for improvement in maintaining offensive momentum and reducing penalties. Additionally, he addressed the issue of fans leaving at halftime, stressing the importance of creating a more engaging game-day atmosphere. Despite these challenges, Cignetti is optimistic about building on the positives from this game.