Indiana senior wide receiver Donaven McCulley left IU’s season-opening victory against FIU with an apparent injury in the first half and did not return to the game. He suffered a hit to the head/neck area during his only reception and immediately jogged to the sideline, where IU’s trainers attended to him before he was taken to the medical tent. On Monday, Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti gave a brief update on McCulley’s condition but did not disclose the specific details of the injury. “I believe we’ll have him back soon,” Cignetti stated during a press conference. “At this point, I would say it’s more day-to-day.”
McCulley wrapped up Indiana’s season opener with one catch for nine yards. The 6-foot-5, 203-pound receiver was among seven Hoosier players to record at least one reception in Week 1. “I don’t get frustrated when a player gets injured because it’s next man up; I don’t have time to dwell on it,” Cignetti said. “He was in there playing well and moving quickly before he took a hit and was ruled out. He’ll be eager to return, and I can’t wait to have him back.”
Indiana also missed junior running back Kaelon Black for most of the game against FIU. Black, who was anticipated to be a crucial part of IU’s running back group, had one carry for seven yards and was included in IU’s initial kickoff team. Cignetti mentioned that Black’s absence in Week 1 was more of a precaution and didn’t seem to indicate any serious issue.
“Kaelon Black’s hamstring was a bit tight, so we held him out as a precaution after he participated in the kickoff and had one carry,” Cignetti explained. Indiana will host Western Illinois on Friday night at Memorial Stadium, giving the Hoosiers one less day to recover and prepare for the Leathernecks. Western Illinois is considered one of the weaker FCS teams in several preseason rankings and hasn’t won a game since 2022, making Week 2 an opportunity for Indiana to get players like McCulley and Black back up to full strength before facing tougher competition. In their first game under Cignetti, Indiana secured a 31-7 victory over FIU, with the rushing attack leading the way, totaling 234 yards and three touchdowns.
Redshirt junior Elijah Green capped the performance with a 51-yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke completed 15 of 24 passes for 180 yards and one interception. Redshirt sophomore receiver Omar Cooper Jr. was IU’s top receiver with three catches for 45 yards, while senior tight end Zach Horton contributed with three catches for 36 yards and the team’s only passing touchdown. The Hoosiers aim to start the season 2-0 when they kick off against the Leathernecks at 7 p.m. ET in Bloomington.
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