What Is 2019 Indiana Hoosiers football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 Indiana Hoosiers football team represented Indiana University in the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 8–5 record under head coach Tom Allen, including a 5–4 mark in Big Ten Conference play and a victory in the Gator Bowl against Tennessee.

Key Facts

Finished the season with an 8–5 overall record
Posted a 5–4 record in Big Ten Conference play
Defeated Tennessee 23–22 in the 2020 Gator Bowl on January 1, 2020
Head coach Tom Allen was in his third season
Played home games at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana

Overview

The 2019 Indiana Hoosiers football team represented Indiana University Bloomington in the 2019 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) season. Competing as a member of the Big Ten Conference in the East Division, the team was led by head coach Tom Allen in his third year at the helm.

Indiana finished the regular season with an 8–4 record, securing a spot in the postseason for the second consecutive year. The team’s performance included notable wins over ranked opponents and culminated in a dramatic victory in the Gator Bowl.

Season record: The Hoosiers finished with an overall 8–5 record, including a 5–4 mark in Big Ten play, demonstrating consistent performance against conference rivals.
Postseason appearance: Indiana earned a bid to the 2020 Gator Bowl, where they defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 23–22 in a tightly contested game on January 1, 2020.
Head coach:Tom Allen led the team in his third season, continuing to build a defensive-minded program that ranked among the top in turnover margin nationally.
Home stadium: The Hoosiers played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana, which has a capacity of approximately 52,929.
Key victory: A 34–24 win over Michigan on November 16, 2019, marked Indiana’s first victory over a top-10 team since 1988, boosting national recognition.

Season Performance

The 2019 campaign featured a mix of high-stakes conference matchups and pivotal non-conference games. Indiana’s defense played a crucial role, forcing turnovers and maintaining strong field position throughout the season.

Defensive strength: The Hoosiers ranked 5th nationally in turnover margin at +1.23 per game, fueled by aggressive play-calling and strong linebacker leadership.
Quarterback play:Michael Penix Jr. emerged as a key starter, throwing for 2,246 yards and 18 touchdowns before suffering a season-ending injury in November.
Running back production:Stevie Scott III rushed for 1,137 yards and 11 touchdowns, becoming the first Indiana running back to surpass 1,000 yards since 2014.
Passing attack: Indiana averaged 244.6 passing yards per game, with Whop Philyor leading the team with 70 receptions and 1,002 yards.
Special teams: The team converted 87.5% of extra point attempts and made 18 of 24 field goals, with kicker Charles Campbell handling most duties.
Injuries and depth: The loss of Penix Jr. led to redshirt freshman Jack Tuttle taking over, who threw for 456 yards and three touchdowns in limited action.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparative look at Indiana’s 2019 season versus recent years highlights program progress under Tom Allen:

Season	Overall Record	Big Ten Record	Bowl Result	Key Statistic
2017	5–7	3–6	No bowl	Turnover margin: –0.27
2018	5–7	3–6	No bowl	Passing yards per game: 221.3
2019	8–5	5–4	Won Gator Bowl	Turnover margin: +1.23
2020	6–2	6–2	Lost Outback Bowl	First 6-win Big Ten season since 1988
2021	2–10	0–9	No bowl	Defensive struggles: 120th in scoring defense

The 2019 season marked a turning point, showing significant improvement in win total, defensive discipline, and national competitiveness. While later seasons fluctuated, the momentum from 2019 laid groundwork for future recruiting and program stability.

Why It Matters

The 2019 Indiana Hoosiers season was a milestone in the program’s modern era, signaling a shift toward consistent competitiveness in the Big Ten. It also reinforced Tom Allen’s leadership and defensive philosophy as central to Indiana’s football identity.

National recognition: The win over Michigan and Gator Bowl appearance earned Indiana end-of-season rankings in the AP Top 25 for the first time since 1993.
Recruiting boost: Success in 2019 helped Indiana land higher-rated recruiting classes, including several four-star prospects in the 2020 cycle.
Defensive identity: Allen’s defense forced 23 turnovers and recorded 33 sacks, establishing a template for future team construction.
Program momentum: The season was Indiana’s first with eight wins since 2007 and its first bowl win since 2016, breaking a string of losing seasons.
Player development: Several players, including Philyor and safety Jamar Johnson, were recognized with All-Big Ten honors, showcasing on-field growth.
Financial impact: Bowl revenue and increased ticket sales contributed to over $2 million in additional athletic department revenue.

The 2019 season remains a benchmark for Indiana football, illustrating what sustained success can look like in a historically underperforming program. While challenges followed, the year provided a blueprint for future achievements.